Hysteroscopy - scared

[Quirkyme]

Hi,

So I have "thick lining of the womb", this was detected in a transvaginal ultrasound scan I had in December. I was told in a follow-up appointment in Feb. At the time a hysteroscopy was mentioned but as I didn't have any negative symptoms, it was agreed I would have a follow-up scan in 3 months time.

This was brought forward due to having pain/twinges (and bleeding outside of my cycle) in my right side for about a week, which I thought may be due to a ruptured cyst.

Had the scan last month on my period, no cysts (there were cysts in the scan in Dec), but a thick lining again.

Tbh, I'd rather not have the hysteroscopy, and I have been extremely stressed and do think that's contributing (I have seen stories of others who were stressed and had a thick lining but this reduced when the stress contributing was no longer present). In my call with the consultant today, I did say I would like another ultrasound in a few months so I could see the difference when the stress is no longer present.

The consultant said he recommends a hysteroscopy as I've had two scans now both showing a thick lining and he recommends to make sure nothing is missed. He said he doesn't foresee it being sinister, with my age and the hysteroscopy is booked under "routine" pathway as opposed to the sinister pathway.

I'm just scared. More so of the procedure. I also don't want to go on any contraception or have a coil, he mentioned these can help the womb lining.

He mentioned that the camera is smaller than the probe used for the transvaginal ultrasound (which I don't find painful but my smears can be, it's better with the smaller speculum). But then I've seen horror stories here.

We have gone for without anaesthetic first and if needed then that can be discussed.

I'm 31, have regular periods, and I am generally fit and healthy. Not trying to conceive at the moment.

This is all just scary.

Can I ask what your experiences were? Anyone similar age range and had a thick womb lining but didn't go on contraception etc to "correct" it? And how was the hysteroscopy for you?

I'm concerned about the hysteroscopy and whatever else, and just telling myself I should do it just to check.

Thanks

Just a hand hold as I've just put the phone down from my Dr who has called me with the results of my transvaginal scan (for spotting on HRT) and said there's a small 'light spot' in the endometrium, on the results which is why she's referred me for the hysteroscopy. And not to worry! I made a brief enquiry about pain relief and she said people don't usually need it but it can be given if needed. I had an awful experience with a colposcopy when very young, so the words 'some people find it uncomfortable' don't really wash with me any more. I really want a GA, but we'll see. Wishing you well.

I think it's different for everyone but wanted to share my reassuring experiences. I have had many hysteroscopies, colposcopies and gynae procedures over the last 5 years I can't even count. Always just had paracetamol beforehand, they are more uncomfortable than a smear but not agonising for me and I feel a bit crampy for the rest of the day. The worst bit for me was the flushing out with liquid as it feels odd/cold inside and when biopsies are taken. I know some people do experience pain but mine was short lived like a pinch from inside. Unfortunately I still have ongoing gynae issues and haven't figured out my problems yet. I need to lose weight before we decide next steps as I'm too large for a hysterectomy which is our last resort. Best of luck to you and hope you get it all sorted

@RudithJudith I don't know what size/weight you are but I have a high bmi and weigh around 85kg and had a hysterectomy in January this year.

@Quirkyme I had a hysteroscopy a few years ago and it was uncomfortable, but for me the worst aspect was feeling very vulnerable. I had my legs in stirrups which I hate, and I felt quite shaky afterwards. They did try to remove a polyp but I was too uncomfortable for them to try. I had that removed when I went back for a d&c under GA. I think having a Mirena fitted actually hurt more. But for some people it really is unpleasant and hurts so I'd ask to have it under GA if you are at all worried.

I had mine under GA.
Not a chance I'd have had one while awake.

Did you just ask? Have one in June and would like to be sedated or under GA!!

The doctor who was going to do it recommended a GA.
Although I have four children, I'd never delivered vaginally. My cervix was tightly closed.

I had one and it was not much worse than a smear, but the pain level probably depends on your pain threshold and what samples they take. I took co codamol an hour beforehand. Sedation was an option but I was persuaded to try without, and it worked out.

I had an endometrial biopsy in a separate procedure once, with no pain relief or sedation and it was the most painful thing I’d experienced.

So I’d suggest talk to the team doing it to establish options for pain relief and what they are likely to be sampling.

Thank you. When you say "not much worse than a smear", so is it like the insertion bit (I've heard it's very small?) or more so them fiddling about in your womb?

I had one a few months ago. The camera is tiny compared to the wand for an internal ultrasound as in it doesn’t touch the walls of the vagina so you can’t really feel it as such. Mine was done sort of sitting in a chair with the operator lower than me so I wasn’t lying down, she was looking up, and they use water (Luke warm) to open the cervix. I took Co codamol and Ibruprofen before hand and it was fine. Less bad for me than a smear test.

It's not awful - take pain relief before hand. If you have a thicker womb lining then it's better to get it done when they say rather than something get missed.
My tumour was initially spotted on my hycosy last year and had been routinely dismissed whenever it was seen on ultrasound.

@RudithJudith I'm a size 26 and had a radical hysterectomy last year. It's possible

I had one under GA and not a single twinge after, no bleeding after, no painkillers. I was not worried though, so please don’t you worry either.

The hysteroscopy was absolutely fine, in fact I'd have another one any day rather than have a smear.
As per PP, I had an endometrial biopsy which was extremely painful for me, I had a Mirena fitted immediately after and that was a walk in the park in comparison.
So, if it's just the camera I wouldnt bother but I'd have anaesthetic if I had to have another biopsy.

I had a hysteroscopy last month. At the time I would have echoed the PP who said it's not much worse than a smear in terms of uncomfortableness. The difference was that I did feel a bit tender afterwards for the next day or so. Yes legs were up in stirrups, and I also had a polyp and a cyst removed while they were in there. There were 4 staff in the room with me - all female, and I was made to feel very safe and looked after. I had taken paracetamol before I went, and was told to rest up for the next day or so, which I did. I had been worrying about it, but actually it was fine. The frustrating thing is that I'm still to get the biopsy results back, and the consultants secretary is now away until after easter, by which time it will have been 7 weeks. The anwserphone message was very much "unless it really is an emergency, just wait till I'm back".

The fiddling about bit was very slightly uncomfortable, but nothing to worry about. The insertion bit was just like a smear and I was on a flat examination couch (no stirrups), with a lovely nurse to hold my hand.

Had a GA for mine - I knew I was having a biopsy and wasn’t prepared to see if I could ‘tolerate’ anything plus past experiences mean that I am very uncomfortable with intimate examinations. I was offered the full range of options from nothing, to local, to sedation to GA. Best thing I ever did - I was in and out in no time and back on the ward having a cup of tea and a sandwich. Bleeding afterwards was much heavier than I thought it would be but I was checked over and assured it was normal. I thought it would be like a light discharge type thing but it was like a proper period.

You are quite within your rights to request a GA if you want one.

Hi. I had thick womb lining. You are in a chair thingy and they furtle around. Lots of water gets shoved up and comes back down. The nurses were lovely. I didn't feel any pain. I took paracetamol and codein beforehand and that worked. He couldn't do the biopsy cos my prolapse is too bad ( lots of muttering and huffing about how women put up with this). Anyway, am having a hysterectomy to get rid of the lot. I think if you've had vaginal deliveries then its ok. If not then that might be rather painful.

I had a hysteroscopy a few weeks ago, along with a biopsy and a polyp removal. Plus I had a Mirena coil put in, but that's not relevant to OP.

I took painkillers beforehand, just a couple of paracetamol, and the procedure was completely pain free. Honestly, it was a very odd sensation but not in the least bit painful. I've had smear tests that were more uncomfortable.

I had an outpatient hysterscopy with biopsy and it was honestly the worst pain of my life. I felt lied to about the pain levels and completely violated by the whole thing. I needed polys removed and insisted they do it under GA. I need a repeat biopsy and they have agreed to do it under GA.

Research suggests that about 30% of women will experience extreme pain (7+ out of 10). Despite taking the recommended pain killers before the procedure. Do some research into some of the risk factors for pain and make your own decision. If you are worried you don't need to tolerate anything and can opt for a GA. You can also start and then ask them to stop and rearrange under a GA.

I had one and I won't lie it was terrible and they could t get the probe passed the cervix 🤦‍♀️ I read somewhere about 1 in 3 women find it very painful so it just depends if you're that one I suppose.

What I will also say is they offered to do under a GA and I refused so they said they'd do another ultrasound scan in 6 months. The ultrasound scan found the original issues (polyps) had completely gone!!

Thank you, this was really good to know. May I ask what you were having the original hysteroscopy for? And why you refused GA?
And you felt comfortable waiting 6 months?

Mine is for a thick womb lining that we don't know what's causing it... no polyps have shown on ultrasounds, but he said it MAY be a cause. It was also comforting to know polyps can go on their own.

I had an endometrial biopsy a couple of weeks ago, which I found very uncomfortable but not unbearable. I'm going to have a hysteroscopy under GA, which the doctor said was necessary so that they can remove a fibroid.

Snap.

They don't tell you think but they have a ward behind the room they do it in where the women who do have the pain go into for recovery.

I had the gas and air, and I was held down by 4 nurses. It was the worst pain I'd ever experienced. I was unable to stand to get dressed after and had to be wheeled to the secret ward. They gave me more painkillers but I was having spasms and was in agony and couldn't even sit up to take the extra painkillers for at least another hour. I had only gone in for an ultrasound and they referred me straight away, and they shoved a piece of paper in front of me telling me I either got it done there and then or they'd schedule it ages away and I was so desperate to go back on the HRT they had stopped [I has osteoporosis and needed to get my bone density back up again so that I could actually walk around and go to work]...so I just signed it.

I ended up being in that ward for hours, and I have no idea how but I drove home, and was in bed for the day and on and off for the next few days.

I’m so sorry you had a bad experience. Sadly we aren’t alone.

if you are on Facebook/twitter check out campaign against painful hysterscopy, they have lots of useful advice to help you know what you are entitled to in terms of pain relief and sharing stories (anonymously) can help raise this as an issue.

So... was given an appt today. It's not until the end of July... a while away. So hopefully this "thick lining" has gone by then. I'm hoping I'll be somewhat stress free, so will be interesting to see the impact reduced stress has on it.

Might speak to my GP to get another ultrasound booked before then to see if there's any change

The account of my experience has been on there for years.