Fibroids, bleeding and biopsy

[Sunset88]

Thought i was menopausal in 2020 after 18 months without a period, but they came back again fairly regularly with the odd heavy very prolonged period. Had a vaginal ultrasound in 2023, and all was well but periods continued. Had another vaginal ultrasound this week and an attempted biopsy but the male consultant was very rough so i barely managed the ultrasound and I couldn't even cope with the speculum let alone biopsy. Urgent referral for sedated biopsy will take 3 months.

Endometrial lining is 7mm, I'm 57, have a large fibroid which hasn't shrunk. Always have PMS type symptoms before bleeding and fibroid pain during bleed. I feel confident I'm either still perimenopausal or the fibroid is bleeding but as it's going to be 7 months from doctor appointment to biopsy, I am slightly concerned.
Anyone had a similar story, or just able to give words of comfort? Feel disappointed I couldn't tolerate the pain but it was horrendous.

I'm surprised that they would leave you this length of time again. How long did you wait initially ?

3 months is the length of time urgent referrals for gynecologists are taking in Scotland right now. I take it day surgery must be the same though hopefully I'll get an appointment sooner. I had a bladder appointment which took over a year.

Anyone had similar symptoms?

It sounds as if you might need to use vaginal estrogen if you're having issues with a vaginal examination to the point a speculum is painful. You should ask your GP for this and use it before your next investigation.

In England they don't use sedation for these procedures as the RCOG guidelines say not to- there are too many risks. It's in writing in their report/ advice on these procedures.

The advice is to take pain killers beforehand. If you were having a hysteroscopy and a biopsy you could have a GA, but not sedation.

Not sure how this helps you, but I'd be querying it with your GP.

I've had similar experience, OP. I was screaming and only just got through it. My consultant wasn't rough though, a hysteroscopy is just a horrible procedure for many women. Approx one in three women experience severe pain.

Have a look at this campaign: www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk

Has GA been discussed as an option?

Personally I would make a complaint about the consultant.

Sorry, it is a GA. I was able to tolerate a speculum with previous gyne, but this one was extremely rough, but that's another story. I do use local estrogen and had good advice from you last year on that so thanks.

Thanks, i just wish he'd taken his time with me and I wouldn't have this 3 month wait if I had been able to do it. I have a bartholin cyst which the speculum seems to squash and that sent me into orbit.

I had a massive fibroid but no bleeding and I was seen and had surgery in less than two weeks. Suspicious mass which turned out ok. This was 2015.

Ok- I misunderstood. I thought it was 'just' the biopsy which is a much smaller 'instrument' than used in a hysteroscopy.