Thickened womb lining - urgent referal

[Ismo456]

Hi

went to my gp a couple of months ago because my periods have been very heavy since my 3rd child was born 12 months ago. I had strange bleeding for a few weeks post birth, passing clots and other strange tissue looking lumps. Was scanned for this at the time but was told no tissue was remaining anymore but there were some blood clots left.

so fast forward to last week, had the internal ultrasound, gp calls me today to say my womb lining is thick and I’ve been refereed under the 2 week cancer referal. I’m terrified.

she said my lining is 21mm, it shouldn’t be over 15mm. Period is due tomorrow. I’m 38 years old. Haven’t been on contraception for 13 years, am extremely fertile. I don’t have any spotting, intermittent bleeding or out of the ordinary period pains. But i do have to wear maternity pads on the heaviest days of my period.

she said referal to gyn will likely include another scan and possibly camera and biopsys.

has anyone else had similar - and what was your outcome. I’m so scared!

I think that age is on your side. I’m on the two week urgent referral pathway at the moment after post menopausal bleeding and I’m 51. There’s a 10% chance of cancer with post menopausal bleeding, however increasing age is a risk factor, so at 38 this is hopefully in your favour. The NHS seems very on the ball with the urgent referral pathway which is great (though feels worrying!), since they catch things early or rule things out, or can keep an eye on changes.

It seems that there are variances in how women can manage the pain depending on the procedure that they need to carry out/your own anatomy etc. For instance I had a hysteroscopy with a local anaesthetic and could manage it when they opened the cervix and put the little camera in, however when they had to open the cervix more in order to put in a tool which would remove a polyp that was my limit and I asked them to stop. I did then almost faint to be honest and my blood pressure went really low. Then had it under GA 2 weeks later. It was painful, but I don’t know if it was worse because I have a retroverted uterus.
The nurses were very good in asking repeatedly if I wanted to stop.

I had the same issue, went for hysteroscopy and they recommended endometrial ablation under GA. I am four weeks post op they took biopsies and put a coil in after they carried out the procedure I was very reluctant to have one fitted but agreed to it and am glad. Recovery took a week or so and haven't had a period since the op. Back in August for follow up.

I got referred after my third child after complaining of heavy bleeding and really painful shooting pains. When I got scanned at hospital the doctor told me not to worry it wasn’t cancer (stupidly I hadn’t even considered that) but it turned out to be fibroids . Totally understandable to be worried but try not to. Hope it all goes well.

I had exactly the same as you. Had biopsies every 6 months for 2 years to keep check on it then was discharged.
It’s a worrying time but good that they’re on the ball and get us seen to asap ❤️

If you search hysteroscopy you’ll find some useful threads in which people talk about their experiences. For some it’s manageable, but for many it’s exceptionally painful. You have the choice as to how you would like it to be done.
I had one recently and said from the start that I wanted a GA. My wishes were adhered to with no issuers, thankfully. Nothing sinister was found following the procedure, either.

Hi OP

A couple of things. As others have said, it could be adenomyosis which can get worse as you get older. Mine got very bad in my late 30s and, because nothing else helped alleviate the symptoms, I've just had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries as I am still relatively young (43).

I've had a few hysteroscopies, only one under GA because I went private so didn't have to wait long. If you are having a hysteroscopy for investigative purposes, I would recommend not asking for a GA unless they can guarantee an appointment within 2 weeks. It is a painful procedure but my view was always that it was much better to bear with the pain and catch something early than to wait for a GA and live with uncertainty and the risk of anything sinister worsening. I was also on the 2 week pathway, twice because of my symptoms. You can take Cocodamol to take the edge of the pain.

Sending lots of luck and best wishes, it's good that they are fast tracking you but I know that it is also very scary.

Hi @Ismo456 I had a thickened lining like you and was passing large clots. I ended up having my hysteroscopy under GA due to previous trauma and they removed a polyp and fitted my Mirena coil at the same time. I haven't bled since, it's lovely! I have adeno, PCOS and possible endo.