Gynaecology Appointment

[Nmmck93]

Hey,

just wondering would anyone have any idea on what to expect for my first Gynaecologist appointment, I have it tomorrow evening, my doctor referred me in May due to previous cyst on ovary 10/11 years ago but also because we’ve been TTC’ing now for 20 months.

Will it just be a consultation or will I get an internal exam aswell? I’m egar to have the internal done tomorrow because waiting lists are so long and I only got this appointment because I rang asking about cancellations and having Mir cycle pains during my TWW etc.

I've had fertility treatment in two different NHS trusts and each was slightly different.

At one trust, the first appointment was detailed medical history for me and DH, bloods taken and internal ultrasound.

At the other trust, it was detailed medical history then bloods and ultrasound ordered but done on a different day. There wasn't a long wait though between the two appointments.

@CrispAppleStrudels thank you lovely, We only have the one NHS trust.

I’m going to sit tonight and write down a lot so I don’t forget anything.
I had a gynaecologist appointment 10/11 years ago and had an internal on the first appointment but I’m not sure if that would still be the case.

The waiting list for this appointment is actually between 6-12 months, I just rang every month and asked about cancellations and said I would be available and getting off work wouldn’t be a problem.

Just hoping tomorrow is an internal scan aswell and then put through for the hycosy aswell as my doctor has said about that for me.

Thinking about your history is a good idea. Also they asked things like whether my DH had ever had mumps etc. He wasn't with me as this was during covid so we were pinging messages back and forth during the appointment.

I found once I was in the system, things moved regularly, even if it took a bit longer between appointments than I would have liked.

I didnt have hycosy / hsg for the first treatment i did for DD1 (i already had a diagnosis of pcos so consultant was happy to try 3 rounds of ovulation induction first). For the second round of treatment for DD2, I was supposed to have a HSG but you have to have it at around certain point in your cycle (not sure if hycosy is the same) and anyway long story short, we conceived naturally before it could be done.

Good luck!

I had an ovarian cyst that was spotted on an ultrasound scan for something else. I saw the consultant who did an internal exam then sent me for a blood test. He recommended an operation at the first appointment. The hospital has a policy of trying to get everything done on the day if possible, then on your next visit you get the results and possible solutions.
There were other ladies there who needed an ultrasound and they were given a form to go and get it done straight away.

My first appointment was on the phone, me and DP and lots of questions about lifestyle, overall health and history. Blood tests were ordered and sperm analysis did DP at this appt too.

Saw me in clinic a few weeks later for a scan and alis booked in hycosy at that point which I had 2 months later.

This was still end of COVID though so first appt may have been in person if it wasn't for that.

Good luck for tomorrow, hope it does well and they do the scan for you so you're not waiting.

Hey our first appointment was history on both sides and an internal scan and referral for my husband for his analysis. This was with general fertility not gynae. I know some trusts do gynae appointments who then refer on to fertility or some fertility is done in gynae. Do you know what yours is? Our first appointment was feb and HSG was early May I think we had a couple of other appointments for other tests checks info etc then about a month wait for the HSG. Started fertility treatment about 6 weeks after that once the results had been reviewed and a plan created. good luck to you!!

@Alexis7890 hey, my doctor just referred me due to a cyst being present over 10 years ago as I was in with her to get my day 3 and day 21 tests booked and then I told her about my period in may being big clots and how I have mid cycle pains on one side that get worse when I put pressure on my right leg and it’s quite sharp.

all my day 3 and day 21 tests have been great according to doctor.

@GFB @WandaFishy99 my partner had his SA in May, I have his results slotted inside my appointment letter for tomorrow, he’s surpassed all his aswell.

@CrispAppleStrudels
Hycosy is what I understand to be a due through the fallopians tubes to check for blockages and also help clear any ‘debris’ so I’m not 100% sure if that’s the same.

Thank yous all so much for your replies.
Going to sit now and write down a few things I’d like to get forward when chatting tomorrow.

I think HSG must be very similar then - it uses xray to check for blockages so you can only have it in the first half of your cycle as obviously xrays are very dangerous to a developing embryo if you happened to fall pregnant that cycle. It seems hycosy uses ultrasound instead which seems much safer than hsg!

@CrispAppleStrudels i meant that it’s a dye that is insterted up through a tube but my partner who is a radiologist says that they do use X-ray imaging to make sure it’s inserted into the correct area.

HSG and hycosy are basically the same just one with xray one with ultrasound. My trust do HSG but my friends did hycosy. That’s great your day 3 and 21 tests were good. I had treatment due to having PCOS causing no natural cycles at all, I did letrozole for a few cycles but that only worked once for me, then we did injectables for 3 cycles and on the last one I got pregnant. IVF with ICSI was our next step. Baby is 10 months old now 😊 If you have any questions or just want a chat about it all feel free to message me

They use an xray for HSG and they use ultrasound for hycosy.

HSG - https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/hysterosalpingogram-hsg-information-for-patients/

How is a hysterosalpingogram done?
You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table under the x-ray machine. A speculum will be placed into the vagina (like a smear test) to inspect the cervix (neck of womb). A small tube is fitted and the uterus is gently filled with a contrast liquid. The contrast then enters the fallopian tubes to see if they are ‘patent’ / open. The fluid that entered the womb will be discharged from the vagina. Sometimes there will be a few spots of blood. Therefore it is recommended that you bring a pad or panty liner with you. Do not use a tampon.

HyCoSy - https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/pifs/hystero-contrast-sonography-hycosy/
How is the procedure carried out? The procedure is carried out in the outpatient department. An internal (transvaginal) ultrasound is carried out first. A medical instrument called a speculum is then placed in the vagina while you are awake and lying on your back, and a thin plastic catheter is passed through the neck of the womb. A further internal ultrasound is then carried out and a dye is flushed through the catheter at the same time. The procedure itself lasts about 20 minutes.