Endometrial biopsy

[dippywhentired]

Has anybody had an endometrial biopsy? I had an ultrasound on Monday and the gynae called me today to say that my endometrium looks a bit thick (1.6cm), so she wants to do a biopsy. I'm petrified I have cancer.

The reason for the ultrasound in the first place was that lately I get brown spotting for several days before my period starts properly, and I usually get one v heavy day during it, which I didn't used to. I googled and I think 1.6cm is the upper end of normal during days 21-28 of a cycle. I'm 38 and have had 3 children.

I've also read that the procedure itself can be v painful and I'm worried about that too!

Anyone?

I had one for exactly the same reason. Brown spotting before my period followed by nightmarish flooding. My scan was normal - think the endometrium was about 12mm but my gynae recommends a biopsy in all women over 40.

It wasn't fun, I would recommend that you take some painkillers before the appointment. Worse than a smear but not horrendous - I felt quite shaky & sick afterwards so I'd also recommend that you have someone to take you home. I had a bit of bleeding for about a day too.

My result was absolutely fine - as the gynae expected, it was to rule out rather than being done in the expectation of something being abnormal - and I still get the brown spotting then very heavy flow. No cause found, just my age I'm back to the gynae in a couple of weeks to decide what to do next.

Fingers crossed you'll be fine.

Thank you so much for replying! I'm trying not to panic!

Hi I had one last year and found it no worse than a smear, not at all painful just a slight bit of pressure and over within seconds, the thing that they use to get the sample is like a very fine straw incredibly thin, I know it’s easierbsaid than done but try to relax, the gyne told me to close my eyes and count backwards from 20 and by the time I reached 13 he was done! I got a bit of spotting for a few hours after and that was it, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Thank you rosie- I hope all was ok with yours

Hi, I had one two years ago, they gave me 10ml of Valium and two painkillers about 30 minutes before the procedure and I didn't find it painful, just like a smear (like you I was quite apprehensive) xx

Thanks eat - am feeling less worried about the procedure itself now.

Sorry, east!

Hi dippy yes all was fine just age and hormone related, had a Mirena coil which sorted me out😆

I had a thickened endometrium on a recent scan and am now awaiting a rescan at a different point in my cycle as that was what they recommended.

I've been through the certainty I've got endometrial ca but plenty of googling shows it's hilarious Guly unlikely.

Good luck x

Honestly, the procedure's fine. And it could likely be what I've got - a fibroid.

Obv that was meant to say 'highly unlikely'

Nothing hilarious about any of it..

I had a thickened endometrium and a biopsy a few years ago. It was a little bit painful, but not awful, and over quickly. I had polyps and a "generalised polypoid change" (it freaked me the fuck out when he said that! Everything came back normal though). For the same reasons as you, brown spotting before my period. Had the polyps out and all sorted. Hope all is ok, I'm sure it will be.

I had one - gynae did it in his consulting room, no painkillers, no warning. It was something of a surprise and not pleasant but bearable. He did it that way to save me having to wait over Xmas for another appointment. I had the results in a few days and was fine - the problem was fibroids and polyps resulting in a “bulky” uterus.

Thanks a lot for sharing all your experiences- it was a lot better than I anticipated, just a bit more uncomfortable than a smear.