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Original poster

Hysteroscopy & biopsy - absolutely terrified.

103 replies

Lioney · 17/07/2023 23:55

Basically my consultant at the NHS menopause clinic I attend, increased my Estradot to 150 but didn't change my Utrogestan. (100 daily & continously)

I took this dose for about 6 months.

Seen a different dr at the menopause clinic and they sent me for a scan.
Lining was 8.7mm and 'lumpy'. No bleeding or spotting.

Now they want me to have a hysteroscopy and biopsy.

Except I'm absolutely terrified of medical procedures.
Even a smear totally freaks me out. Until I went into premature menopause, I avoided doctors for years.

I know logically i should have the biopsy but I just can't cope with the anxiety its causing.

Its all I'm thinking about and I'm exhausted after knowing about this for only 5 days.
My so called 2 week path way appointment isn't until 12/8.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 08:57

Chasingsquirrels · 18/07/2023 08:45

I had one yesterday, as a follow-up to a previous in January when I also had a mirena fitted.

In January I read the leaflet when I got the appointment, and then forgot about the paracetamol so had the procedure - scope, biopsy & mirena fitting with no pain relief at all.
It felt slightly uncomfortable and a bit ouchy when she took the biopsy.
I felt a bit achy for a few hours afterwards.
DP drove me, mostly as I was freaking out about the whole thing as the last time I'd been to the hospital was when late DH was undergoing treatment.

Yesterday I had paracetamol an hour before. The scope was fine, the biopsy was a bit ouchy for the brief time she was taking it.
I felt a bit faint afterwards (but I have a tendancy to faint when having injections, ear exams, interventions - and I stupidly was having a v low cal day. It took me till my 30s to realise I even had this issue, and my early 50s before I connected it with blood sugars - and I just didn't think yesterday).
I haven't felt anything afterwards.
I drove myself to and from the appointment.

The above is in no way to minimise others experiences and I understand you are entitled to pain relief or GA. I don't know about the practicalities of actually getting these.

Are you sure that no one you know would help with driving you, lookomg after kids or whatever. I'd have done this for school mums if I knew they didn't have anyone else and asked (not everyone, but more than just close friends).

Thanks for posting. Good to know its not always awful.

The appointments is the middle of August. Both my sisters are away.

My dc go to school in a different county to where we live so don't know the other parents very well. Never met up with them or messages them.

I will pay for extra hours if need be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:00

Chasingsquirrels · 18/07/2023 08:45

I had one yesterday, as a follow-up to a previous in January when I also had a mirena fitted.

In January I read the leaflet when I got the appointment, and then forgot about the paracetamol so had the procedure - scope, biopsy & mirena fitting with no pain relief at all.
It felt slightly uncomfortable and a bit ouchy when she took the biopsy.
I felt a bit achy for a few hours afterwards.
DP drove me, mostly as I was freaking out about the whole thing as the last time I'd been to the hospital was when late DH was undergoing treatment.

Yesterday I had paracetamol an hour before. The scope was fine, the biopsy was a bit ouchy for the brief time she was taking it.
I felt a bit faint afterwards (but I have a tendancy to faint when having injections, ear exams, interventions - and I stupidly was having a v low cal day. It took me till my 30s to realise I even had this issue, and my early 50s before I connected it with blood sugars - and I just didn't think yesterday).
I haven't felt anything afterwards.
I drove myself to and from the appointment.

The above is in no way to minimise others experiences and I understand you are entitled to pain relief or GA. I don't know about the practicalities of actually getting these.

Are you sure that no one you know would help with driving you, lookomg after kids or whatever. I'd have done this for school mums if I knew they didn't have anyone else and asked (not everyone, but more than just close friends).

Why did you need a follow up hysteroscopy?

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 18/07/2023 09:04

The letter after the appt in Jan said...
...The biopsy has shown a condition called "disordered proliferation" this is due to an imbalance between the levels of oestrogen and progesterone around the time of the peri menopause. You have been fitted with a Mirena coil which will help to correct this imbalance.

And went on to say about doing a follow up in 6m to check the situation.

Yesterday the practitioner again explained this, said that if the condition was continuing they'd like to repeat the procedure again in 6m to keep an eye on it, however if it has now returned to normal there would be no further follow up.

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:09

Chasingsquirrels · 18/07/2023 09:04

The letter after the appt in Jan said...
...The biopsy has shown a condition called "disordered proliferation" this is due to an imbalance between the levels of oestrogen and progesterone around the time of the peri menopause. You have been fitted with a Mirena coil which will help to correct this imbalance.

And went on to say about doing a follow up in 6m to check the situation.

Yesterday the practitioner again explained this, said that if the condition was continuing they'd like to repeat the procedure again in 6m to keep an eye on it, however if it has now returned to normal there would be no further follow up.

Are you on HRT?

I'm 6 years postmenopausal.

I'm progesterone intolerant so have really struggled with the progesterone part of HRT.
This has made me question why I'm persisting with HRT as i just traded one lot of symptoms for another

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:12

Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:09

Are you on HRT?

I'm 6 years postmenopausal.

I'm progesterone intolerant so have really struggled with the progesterone part of HRT.
This has made me question why I'm persisting with HRT as i just traded one lot of symptoms for another

Show quote history

So pleased everything worked out and you don't need anymore follow up appointments.

Thanks for replying. Really appreciate it.

OP posts:
GardeningIdiot · 18/07/2023 09:19

Are you using a local oestrogen- vagifem or Ovestin to address the vaginal atrophy? That will make the inserting of a speculum more comfortable.

I had the procedure you've mentioned without knowing what I was letting myself in for. Women should not be put in this position of having an invasive procedure like this without adequate pain relief. The problem is you don't know if you're going. to find it very painful or not until it happens. I personally would not have another without general anaesthetic.

EmmaEmerald · 18/07/2023 09:21

Hi OPI think you need as much pain relief as possible really

Sorry if I missed something but what was the reason for the scan?

I am one of many women who has been subjected to procedures that I sort of realised were completely unnecessary...l wasn't thinking straight because I was caring for my dying father.

It only stopped because a specialist said it was ridiculous. I didn't even go to the doctor with a problem, it began with a routine blood test! That was all 2WW stuff as well.

SirChenjins · 18/07/2023 09:24

You know you can have a general anaesthetic for this? I had one last year under ga, best thing I ever did. I was in and out in no time, and back on the ward having a sandwich and a cup of tea. There was more bleeding than I had expected, possibly from the biopsy, I don’t know (it was checked- all normal) but apart from that it was fine. I wasn’t prepared to have one without it for a number of reasons and am very glad I chose that route - it took all the worry out of it.

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:27

GardeningIdiot · 18/07/2023 09:19

Are you using a local oestrogen- vagifem or Ovestin to address the vaginal atrophy? That will make the inserting of a speculum more comfortable.

I had the procedure you've mentioned without knowing what I was letting myself in for. Women should not be put in this position of having an invasive procedure like this without adequate pain relief. The problem is you don't know if you're going. to find it very painful or not until it happens. I personally would not have another without general anaesthetic.

I use an Estring and Ovestin for the V.A.
Plus Estradot 100, Everol Conti 50 and Utrogestan 100 but still struggle with symptoms

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2023 09:30

It's ok for some women and really not for others,there's no way of knowing what camp you'll be in so you really mustn't drive yourself as getting home might be difficult. As others have said,you can ask for a GA.

Chasingsquirrels · 18/07/2023 09:31

Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:09

Are you on HRT?

I'm 6 years postmenopausal.

I'm progesterone intolerant so have really struggled with the progesterone part of HRT.
This has made me question why I'm persisting with HRT as i just traded one lot of symptoms for another

Show quote history

I'm not on HRT, other than now the mirena for the progesterone.

I'm 51, was having normal periods, had a heavy & prolonged bleed in summer 2021 which at the time I wondered if it was covid jab related. Periods returned to normal.
Had another heavy & prolonged bleed autumn 2022 (7 weeks, filling & overflowing my mooncup hourly), sent for an internal scan which showed thickened womb lining, then for hysterscopy as above.

Have to wait for the outcome of yesterday's biopsy to see if any further follow up needed.

Given how you feel about the procedure I would definitely follow up on the GA options others have mentioned.

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:31

EmmaEmerald · 18/07/2023 09:21

Hi OPI think you need as much pain relief as possible really

Sorry if I missed something but what was the reason for the scan?

I am one of many women who has been subjected to procedures that I sort of realised were completely unnecessary...l wasn't thinking straight because I was caring for my dying father.

It only stopped because a specialist said it was ridiculous. I didn't even go to the doctor with a problem, it began with a routine blood test! That was all 2WW stuff as well.

The reason I was scanned was due to the consultant increasing my estrogen but he didn't increase the progesterone part. This was only discovered by a different doctor 6 months later.

The lining is 8.7mm.
The sonographer said the cut off was 8mm.
But
They will not continue to prescribe my HRT if I don't have the procedure.

I think they are just ticking boxes

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:32

SirChenjins · 18/07/2023 09:24

You know you can have a general anaesthetic for this? I had one last year under ga, best thing I ever did. I was in and out in no time, and back on the ward having a sandwich and a cup of tea. There was more bleeding than I had expected, possibly from the biopsy, I don’t know (it was checked- all normal) but apart from that it was fine. I wasn’t prepared to have one without it for a number of reasons and am very glad I chose that route - it took all the worry out of it.

I done have anyone to pick me up or to stay with me after a GA.

OP posts:
GertrudeKerfuffle · 18/07/2023 09:41

I had a hysteroscopy to investigate fibroids, and when I went to see the consultant I was surprised to find it was to be done under GA. I asked him about this and he said he'd rather his patients be comfortable! Apparently he does every hysteroscopy like this, you are unconscious for about fifteen minutes.

Is it worth asking for a GA in your case? I actually found it to be a relatively pleasant experience and had no pain afterwards. They sent me home with codeine, which I didn't take.

EmmaEmerald · 18/07/2023 09:42

OP "They will not continue to prescribe my HRT if I don't have the procedure.

I think they are just ticking boxes"

possibly. Do you want to continue your HRT?

honestly, i feel women and our wombs are just a medical experiment to them.

MassiveWordSalad · 18/07/2023 09:45

Would a mirena coil be an option for your progesterone? It's local to your uterus then and may not give you the same issues as when you take it as a pill. It might be worth asking as they could put it in as part of your procedure.

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:47

MassiveWordSalad · 18/07/2023 09:45

Would a mirena coil be an option for your progesterone? It's local to your uterus then and may not give you the same issues as when you take it as a pill. It might be worth asking as they could put it in as part of your procedure.

No unfortunately not. I'm progesterone intolerant.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 09:49

EmmaEmerald · 18/07/2023 09:42

OP "They will not continue to prescribe my HRT if I don't have the procedure.

I think they are just ticking boxes"

possibly. Do you want to continue your HRT?

honestly, i feel women and our wombs are just a medical experiment to them.

Not really as I really struggle with all progesterone.

I wish I never started HRT.

Now on so much estrogen, I need to wean myself off it.

Wasted all my 40s dealing with the stupid menopause symptoms and HRT.

OP posts:
Catinawhirl · 18/07/2023 10:21

Mine didn't hurt at all, and I'm very bad with pain. And I haven't had kids, or even a coil fitted ever. They knew I was very scared of the potential pain, and said to let them know at any point if there was too much pain, they would stop, and I'd be rescheduled for a GA. They were lovely with me. Is this adoption for you.

SirVixofVixHall · 18/07/2023 10:24

OP I am going to PM you.

WorriedMillie · 18/07/2023 10:30

Hi op
in haste, I had this done recently and I am quite phobic (avoidant) when it comes to medical procedures
i took pain relief beforehand and shared with the medics how scared I was (mine is partly a losing control thing)
Everyone was lovely, the procedure went well and was uncomfortable but not unbearable
I was diagnosed with hyperplasia, but the biopsies came back ckear

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 10:34

WorriedMillie · 18/07/2023 10:30

Hi op
in haste, I had this done recently and I am quite phobic (avoidant) when it comes to medical procedures
i took pain relief beforehand and shared with the medics how scared I was (mine is partly a losing control thing)
Everyone was lovely, the procedure went well and was uncomfortable but not unbearable
I was diagnosed with hyperplasia, but the biopsies came back ckear

Thankyou for replying.
We sound alike!

How is hyperplasia treated

OP posts:
fuckmyuteruslining · 18/07/2023 10:37

I had one recently. I had an excellent experience. Very kind , all female staff. I didn't even feel her going through the cervix. She said 'in the uterus now' and I was like 'HOW!' Because I never felt it. Then I had a Mirena in which was a very little bit ouchy but honestly have had worse smears. I was astonished by how little it bothered me. I took the day off but was fine.
I'm perimenopausal and my lining was 3.1 CM! And the biopsy was normal.
However you aren't me and nobody can tell you 100% that your cervix will play hall so just ask for a GA. It's a perfectly reasonable option.

Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 10:38

Catinawhirl · 18/07/2023 10:21

Mine didn't hurt at all, and I'm very bad with pain. And I haven't had kids, or even a coil fitted ever. They knew I was very scared of the potential pain, and said to let them know at any point if there was too much pain, they would stop, and I'd be rescheduled for a GA. They were lovely with me. Is this adoption for you.

No idea.

No information or even exactly what my next appointment is for.

Possibly an actual hysteroscopy, scan or consultation.

Even after multiple calls last Fridayand yesterday, I couldn't find out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lioney · 18/07/2023 10:39

fuckmyuteruslining · 18/07/2023 10:37

I had one recently. I had an excellent experience. Very kind , all female staff. I didn't even feel her going through the cervix. She said 'in the uterus now' and I was like 'HOW!' Because I never felt it. Then I had a Mirena in which was a very little bit ouchy but honestly have had worse smears. I was astonished by how little it bothered me. I took the day off but was fine.
I'm perimenopausal and my lining was 3.1 CM! And the biopsy was normal.
However you aren't me and nobody can tell you 100% that your cervix will play hall so just ask for a GA. It's a perfectly reasonable option.

Issue being children and no adult available to pick me up or stay with me.

OP posts: