Thickened Endometrium

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Hi , I’ve been on HRT for 6 years which hasn’t been easy trying to find the correct dose which is still ongoing reducing my patch from 75 to cutting to 62.5 and 200 Utrogestan with the advice of my menopause Dr
Each time I’ve had slight spotting which has only lasted a couple of days Ive had to have pelvic scans

Last year I had spotting and my lining was 5.3 I spoke to a Gynaecologist after the scan and she said it was ok although it should be 4mm.

Then about 6 weeks ago odd spotting again I had a pelvic scan today and the lining is 5 but the lady said she’s sending a referral to Gynaecology.
I know that it’s going to be suggested that I have a hysteroscopy which I’m petrified about .

Has anyone been through this? Any advice please

I hope that all is well and your results are ok

Thanks so much! I suspected a polyp could be causing my symptoms. I’m glad it’s over, I know I couldn’t have done this without anaesthetic!

What were your symptoms ? Was you spotting ? I’m going to try and have it done without a GA , I will have my questions ready and I’m going to say I don’t want it to be forced if it gets too painful .

I have had two hysteroscopies, both with no more rhan mild discomfort.

The people doing the procedure were lovely, emphasised that I should speak up at any time, and I felt in complete control.

I can understand why women who have had bad experiences say things like "everyone shoild have a GA" but for many women (like me) it's unnecessary.

Hope everything goes well OP.

I’m absolutely petrified of the procedure and findings , my endometrium was 5.3 in June 25 then I had another pelvic scan in Sept 25 and it was slightly above the 4mm at 4.5mm
This month it’s 6.5 😮. I must admit there was times that I got lapse with taking my continuous progesterone on an empty stomach I’m not sure if this contributes as the body absorbs it differently.

May I ask how you was afterwards please ? Did you bleed a lot?

Go into your appt with your questions.
And make sure that they will stop if you want them to.
I didn't bleed at all, I had no side effects.

I'd also stress that you ought to be able to have a discussion before any procedure rather than just 'ticking a box' when a slightly thicker lining automatically mean a procedure.

Re. empty stomach. It's not necessary. It's to reduce possible side effects.
Taking it with food doubles its effectiveness. The empty stomach guidance is to reduce some side effects.

You will also help yourself a lot if you can go in with an open mind rather than thinking the worst and anticipating pain.

Hope it goes smoothly.

I can't remember any significant bleeding although I think there was a little bit.

The strange thing was after the first one I actually realised how much pain I was in generally from pelvic and back trouble since the lingering effects of the paracetamol meant I was in LESS pain than normal. It gave me the incentive to actually tackle those issues.

You will get a sense of the people doing the procedure from the preceding chat - do you feel comfortable that they'll be responsive to whatever you say? I do think part of the reason I had good experiences was that I felt in complete control.

I don’t know what to think , the Dr done a referral it was triaged straight away at the hospital and I had a call on the same day by the bookings team and a date arranged
I don’t know what to expect they emailed me a leaflet advising that I take pain killers prior to the procedure other than that not much information

Im in London I’ve tried phoning 3 different phone numbers this morning as I want to ask some questions but nobody answers

I did find that scan reports can mention all sorts of things that sound terrifying but don't actually mean a lot.

I didn't see the report till after the hysteroscopy (which revealed everything was "completely normal") and thank God because it talked about fluids and irregularities which clearly weren't significant but would have scared me witless to read about.

I phoned Gynaecology at the hospital today I spoke to admin regarding my concerns she asked a nurse to call me back which she did shortly afterwards
The nurse was so understanding and I got all my questions answered and she also explained what will happen on the day .

Glad to hear that OP

I had no pain at all, just the need to do a wee, both times I had it done, but my had to go back and have a GA as she found the pain unbearable.
We are all different, so any advice on here doesn't mean anything.
I hope it all goes well for you.

As I mentioned upthread, I'm one of the 25% (or whatever) who found it unbearably painful. This was a surprise to me, as I'd managed to push out a baby with nothing but gas & air. Absolutely no way to know ahead of time if you are going to be one of the lucky ones or not.

I do however understand why they try to get as many people as possible to go through it without a GA, as it is a lot simpler (and yes, cheaper).

Interestingly, my step-mum has just had a hysteroscopy, and there was not even a suggestion that she'd have it "awake" - she had some sort of heavy sedation, so she remembered nothing. I guess, when you're 89, they shy away from anything likely to cause pain/distress; if you're younger, perhaps it's expected you can deal with it.

I’m glad to hear that all is well ,

@CointreauVersial I think it’s a physical thing, much more likely to be challenging in a very elderly person due to hormonal changes (and absence of some hormones). Equally it’s much less often required of course

So no, not because they think younger women can tolerate more. It’s the different nature of the setting that makes a difference.

I had my hysteroscopy, polyp removal and endometrial sample yesterday. At the hospital they gave me liquid morphine afterwards due to the pain. I took the limit for co-codamol once l got home (bearing in mind the liquid morphine l had had earlier) and then couldn’t sleep due to the pain so had naproxen. This just reinforces my thoughts it wasn’t a 2 paracetamol procedure. I don’t think any woman should be in severe pain just so the hospital can have an easier and cheaper day

Wasn’t you offered a local anesthetic? I’m sorry to hear that you had to go through this

No. They said it’s nothing or general. Plus l wouldnt gave wanted an injection into my cervix. I would have preferred heavy sedation in all honesty

I had similar. After an initial colposcopy I was told I needed a hysteroscopy. I said over the phone I wanted GA as the colposcopy had been so painful. Got told to come in anyway for the appointment. I said at the appointment I wanted GA as I have a low pain threshold and strong fainting reflex. Consultant was pissy but eventually when I said I wasn't having it (she wanted me to try and said she'd stop if it hurt... at which point I would have been hurt anyway) and I got it done with GA - home same day, all good.

I had this done. Slight discomfort but nothing more.

Hi OP, I was wondering how you are getting in and whether you have had your hysteroscopy yet? I commented on this thread earlier and today I had my hysteroscopy. I understand that some people have very painful experiences it thought I would give you my experience.

The consultant was really good and explained everything beforehand. I asked and received Penthrox and anaesthetic gel. They found a polyp so I then had the local anaesthetic injections - the Penthrox definitely helped with them. They removed the polyp, took a biopsy and inserted a coil. It was uncomfortable but manageable and the staff checked for consent at each stage. I am now waiting for the biopsy results which may take some time unfortunately.

I hope that all goes/has gone well for you.

Great news that your over it and all is well thanks for the update it really helps us all
Mine is next week and I can’t think of anything else I’m so worried . I’m not having a GA , did you go with a list of questions , I’m praying all is ok with my Hysteroscopy and I can stay on body identical progesterone so I’ve got my questions ready

I did go with a list of questions which I will try and attach here. For me, the anticipation of the procedure was far worse than than the procedure itself. I do recommend the gas & air - I wish I could have it for a smear test!

I just wanted to give you a more positive story. But I am not negating anyone’s experience. It is like childbirth, you always hear the worst ones. When I was pregnant (many years ago!) one of my older work colleagues shared her experience which was factual but okay and I held onto that rather than the more scary ones. A friend of mine had endometrial cancer this summer (thankfully she is fine after a hysterectomy) and I spoke to her regarding the hysteroscopy. She just had the anaesthetic gel. I decided to have gel and the gas/air (Penthrox) too. That helped when I needed the anesthetic injections for the polyp removal. You have to make sure you breathe out through the tube or the staff get to inhale it too!

It was all I could think about in the run up to the hysteroscopy. I wobbled a little bit in the room before it started, when I was asked my name and details, but everyone in the room (consultant, two nurses and one HCA) were really lovely. It was made very clear to me that I could stop whenever I wanted and that it was no big deal if I did- I could be put on the GA list. Wishing you all the best.

Thankyou so much , your advise and the way in which you felt is exactly how I am feeling I’m so scared it’s all I’m thinking about at the moment
your list of questions are so helpful as I know that if I don’t put a list together my mind will be blank on the day .. Is anesthetic gel recommended ?

Are you ok now ?