2 week wait referral to gynaecology... what to expect?

[FiguringLifeOutOneFuckUpAtATime]

This morning my GP did an 2 week urgent referral to gynaecology based on new concerning symptoms. I've already had a text to say someone will contact me tomorrow.

I've been bleeding a fair bit during/after sex in the last 4-5 weeks, had periods that last up to 2 weeks for over a year & a heavy/bloated feeling in my pelvis. I was previously told a few months ago that I also have some degree of vaginal prolapse.

I'm not particularly fussed about the examination part of a gynaecology appointment (I'm 40 & a single working mom of 2 primary aged SEN kids, I relish the chance to just lie down during the day!). But what can I expect to happen during this examination?

I'm trying not to be too concerned about it, and just glad the GP has taken my symptoms seriously. But obviously the idea of a 2 week wait referral is slightly worrying??

I've been on a couple of 2ww for gynae. The hospital I went to did a transvaginal scan followed by an internal exam by a consultant.

OP has the GP mentioned fibroids?

I was on the 2 week pathway for unexplained vaginal bleeding. I saw a consultant then had scans done. I also had samples taken and an internal camera exam.

No sign of cancer.

It could be many things (polyps, fibroids, hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, adenomyosis...).

My issues turned out to be Adeno/Endo

Try not to worry too much, it is best that you are seen quickly so you can get a proper diagnosis.

No mention of fibroids, but it's a possibility. I've been having a Google and can see that irregular bleeding can have a number of non-sinister causes. I tend to focus on those rather than stress about the possibility of cancer, but the worry still niggles...
How uncomfortable is a transvaginal scan? Does that show up fibroids, etc?

Thank you, yeah I think I'm mostly just grateful for the quick response after mentioning new symptoms, this particular GP was lovely (group practice, many GPs aren't the same unfortunately).

I'll check out all of those suggestions and see if other symptoms match up, I love an internet medical deep dive 😆 I'd rather focus on alternatives to the possibility of cancer, which I'm sure is a fairly low risk in my case (no family history).

I've been on the 2ww for unexplained bleeding
I'd been post menopausal for about 3 years and on HRT patches, nothing else.
I first had an internal scan that showed a thickened lining and polyps. The scan was not uncomfortable, I've had them before for early pregnancy reasons. It will show everything.
This was followed by a hysteroscopy where polyps were removed and a biopsy taken. I had a mirena coil fitted at the same time, this was under a general.
Biopsy showed endometrial cancer 1A
I've had this followed up by a full hysterectomy and then brachytherapy for a few weeks as the cancer had already spread into surrounding muscle.
I feel great, made a full recovery although it was fairly awful at the time. This was the last half of 2024. I have regular appointments with oncology and gynaecology and will do for 3 years. I initially read everything I could about my diagnosis and stats, outcomes etc but the only thing that matters is your own situation. I feel really positive about everything now.
Good luck

I have another thread running on this where lots of people have shared their experiences which are largely positive (as @ramonaquimby says, the only thing that actually matters is your own situation but I found it helpful to read about others’ experiences too. Good to hear you are all sorted and feeling positive @ramonaquimby).

My thread is here if you want to take a look

Transvaginal scan isn't painful at all (for me), they use a lot of lubricant. Quite often that's the end of the referral, but sometimes they move onto a hysteroscopy which can be painful or painless, it's hard to know.
My own gynae 2WWs have led to polyps, thickened womb lining, adenoyosis, insertion of mirena, then dislodged mirena.
🤞yours is all well.

I've got a very low pain threshold, OP, but didn't find the transvaginal scan at all painful. The probe/wand/whatever it's called is very thin.

Phew, good to hear! I get achey pains after speculum use for smears & checks, so I'm glad to know that the probes & stuff shouldn't be too much extra on top of that hopefully.

I'm glad you got through all of that & feeling much healthier now! Obviously there's always a fear of would it could be (I know a young woman, 28, who's prognosis is terminal with cervical cancer, it's heartbreaking knowing she'll be leaving her young daughter within the next year) but there are many other causes for unusual bleeding & pain, and treatments available. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Ps. I love your username! I have fond memories of reading those books as a child 😊 might have to find them for my daughter!

Thank you! I have had a mirena for nearly 5 years now, I'm guessing they will be checking the position of that as part of the examination?

Also, how long is an initial appointment/examination likely to take? I'll need to figure out any potential school run issues ahead of it.

I was given a ⁹hysteroscopy. Camera and biopsies taken. Bit uncomfortable but nothing really. Told me there and then I had severe atrophy. Gave me oestrogen pessaries and it improved things. Worcestershire hospital Trust.

My first appointment (transvaginal scan and ultrasound) was probably about 30 mins max.

Hope yours goes well and best wishes for the outcome x

Transvaginal scan is easier than a smear or coil insertion IMO - they don't have to barge through the cervix or open you up with the tong thingymijig. It's a thick, smooth plastic wand. I assume with some sort of camera 🤣
All the best for your appointment.

Joining this thread as I was on the 2ww following a pelvic ultrasound which found thickened womb lining at 5mm but uniform.
I had a hysteroscopy on Friday, just on painkillers an hour before. I had read a lot of scare stories but it was ok. No pain at all. Discomfort, more of a weird feeling than anything hurting.
A polyp was removed, biopsy taken and he fitted the Mirena coil. some bleeding since, which is to be expected.
I am very frightened whilst I wait for these results.

Waiting is tough @NewForestOldOak - wishing you all the best.

Thank you @BeaSure

Thank you for sharing your experience & wishing you the best outcome for your results 💜

I find the waiting is, in many ways, the worst part of most medical procedures/tests (I tend to be an over-thinker and Google FAR too much!).

I'm still waiting for my appointment to come through, though I've had an information booklet arrive yesterday. Included was a leaflet with contact details for a "support hub" to discuss concerns, etc. That leaflet actually made me feel weirdly MORE anxious about the whole thing 🙈😅

I’m with you there @FiguringLifeOutOneFuckUpAtATime! On the googling, the waiting and the worry.

I’ve got my hysteroscopy this afternoon (have a different thread running on that) and not looking forward to it - good luck to all of us going through similar 💐

Hope all goes well for you this afternoon and that it isn't too uncomfortable. I'll try find your other thread to follow 💜

@ChristmasFairyLiquid found your thread & following to find out how you get on today. I'm not yet at menopause stage of life but posters on your thread have definitely given me a lot of useful information to be armed with if I have issues when I come to it. I'm also so glad to see all the lovely support you have had so far 💜

Thank you and yes, there is definitely a wealth of valuable knowledge on here isn’t there? Really appreciating all the info and support, and thank you for your well-wishes too.

@ChristmasFairyLiquid finally got my appointment, tomorrow afternoon. It's after school, got no childcare available, so had to check I was ok to bring them. Should be fun... 🙃😅 hope you get your test results back soon!

Oh wow, good luck, at least maybe that’ll give you something else to focus on 😳!

Hope it goes well and you get good news.

Any update? It has been over a week since my hysteroscopy. No news so far, but did read on my NHS app that the womb lining was 21mm 😱 That has really worried me. Although heavy periods have always been my life when I have them, due to PCOS.