AIBU to reconsider a medical procedure?

[RatherHome]

I'm booked in for investigative procedures (hysteroscopy and biopsy). The doctor doesn't expect to find anything. Nothing was seen on ultrasound. It's just to be thorough due to pain symptoms. I agreed as I figured it's best to cover all bases and be absolutely sure.

I've had two PPH's in the past and this is causing a lot of anxiety. Fears about excessive bleeding or complications. I don't feel this way about other medical procedures.

I'm having doubts about how justified this is. I suppose I'm hoping for reassurance overall. I think I'd feel better if I was just getting a hysterectomy, even if it is more major.

They don't typically do procedures unless they before feel they are necessary. Even if the consultant doesn't think he'll find anything, there will be a reason why they are offering it.

Just go with it.

I empathise op because I could've written this myself. I had pph and I have a lot of trauma linked to this. Even when I menstruate every month I feel hyper-aware of my blood loss and my flow rate etc. and it makes me anxious that I'll hemorrhage, even though it's only a period.

I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy and my anxieties were very much the same as yours. I did bleed a little bit afterwards (just spotting) then it triggered a period / me shedding my womb lining a day or two later, I guess because of the procedure irritating things and causing the muscles to contract maybe? I'm not really sure of the science behind it! But it was a heavier than usual period, so I rested a lot as that made me feel calmer. My NHS advice leaflet said I could go back to work soon after, but I 100% wouldn't recommend that. Have at least a few days off to rest and recover. I look back and feel so sad that the post-hysteroscopy aftercare advice wasn't more accurate for my experience, because I'd have made sure to have rest time, rather than having the school run etc .

Good luck op ❤️ you can be brave and do it!

Thank you. I think I'm going to keep very busy the next week, to keep my mind off it. I might well have a panic attack about it before it happens though.

I wish I'd just asked for a hysterectomy. It feels safer, which I know is silly and wrong. I will definitely be resting up after.

I know what you mean. I wish I didn't have a womb anymore either and that I could just take hrt!! It gives me so much anxiety. I hope it has helped to hear my story.
If it's any reassurance the team were really kind and I don't remember it hurting. It was actually really positive, as far as the procedure went, and thankfully my results were fine.

Please do update us on how it goes. Hopefully some others will have some reassuring advice. ❤️

Yes, it does help. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Hopefully this is the last thing I have to do before I do hit menopause. I'm late getting there but know minor issues are very common at this age.

I will update. If someone finds this thread in the future, I hope it will be reassuring to them.

On the bright side, at least I'm not pregnant. 😄

Unless it’s private then they’ll happily do every test going, for the £££

I'm going private.

That makes sense. If you’re not insured and are self-paying, you can ask them to refer you to the NHS for this treatment. You might have to wait a while but it’ll be free.

The insurance is paying. I might as well just get it out of the way. I think that will be better for me than having it lurking around in the back of my mind.

If the insurance is paying then go for it. If they don’t find what they’re looking for, then they will happily keep suggesting more tests to find the source of the pain. It’s money in their pocket but at least you’ll eventually get the answers.

I suspect I may have mild adenomyosis or endometriosis. Unless they can give me a very good reason, I won't be doing anything further. Menopause can't avoid me forever. It seems sensible to do the investigation though I'm having a wobble about it.