Cancer Research UK main site

Hysteroscopy and polypectomy

Gin75
Offline

Hi 

I'm hoping the nurses can answer some questions for me please. 

I had post menapausal bleeding which stupidly I was hoping it was a just a period after 3 years of no periods. I went to my doctor under duress. The doc did blood tests and referred me for an internal scan, abdominal scan and a gynecologist appointment. The scan was on a Friday and the guy doing the scan said I had 'nothing too serious', Endometrial hyperplasia. That the gynecologist will probably give me some pills to get it under control. I've been told  about hyperplasia before and I knew in the past I have had a thick Endometrium layer. I was not worried because I thought it's just my thick endometrial layer freaking out the US technician. The technician said he would send the report through to the docs then it would go to the gynecologist. I was expecting weeks, months before I would see the gynecologist. I got a phone call on the Monday for an appointment on the Friday.  Meeting the gynecologist, I thought here we go again, so I repeated my medical history again, induced birth , dysfunctional uterus bleeding, etc early menopause thick lining, prior biopsies being all clear. 

the gynecologist examined me and said I had to have a hysteroscopy on Monday. The nurses said we are busy on Monday and the gynecologist said fit her in. I was still not worried. The gynecologist said I had to turn up for the appointment. Because I have had biopsies before and they were all clear I thought it would be the same.

I did the hysterscopy with No GA. 10 min procedure, it was ok. The nurses and gynecologist were professional and tried to make the situation as comfortable for me as they could, considering.  I asked questions and I was told I had 4 polyps 2 very large at the back and two small at the front. I was shown the pictures of the polyps. The gynecologist did not take any biopsies as the polyps were too big.

so now I am booked in for an urgent hysteroscopy witha polypectomy under GA with the same gynecologist. 

Can I ask 

Is Urgent mean urgent in terms of time. What is the time frame for urgent ?


is it usual for the same gynecologist to continue with the same patient or is it quicker for the patient to just go with whoever is available for the polypectomy procedure?

I know how people react to these procedures is always unique to the person but can you give me a general recovery time for the polyps removal ?

Is there any thing else you can recommend I do prior to going in for the polypectomy? 
 

does the location of the polyps affect the biopsy? 


I wasn't worried to begin with but the fact that the gynecologist didn't do the biopsies when he had the chance has rattled me. 

Thanks in Advance 

gin75

 

 

  • Hello, and thank you for posting.

    I'm sorry you are having these worries over endometrial polyps and their removal. It sounds as if the surgeon felt he needed more time to perform a proper polyp removal rather just biopsy of them, the position and the size of the polyps may be the reason for this. This said, as with your other questions, it is hard for me to answer them totally accurately as I wasn't there and I'm not part of your team, so do ask when you see them again.

    It is often more straight forward to stay with the same surgeon as they know you, your history and he knows what to expect in your next procedure as he did the first one.

    Time frames are different in each hospital trust, particularly at the moment. I would expect you to hear in the next couple of weeks of when your surgery is happening. If not you can always call the department to see if they have a rough idea of current waiting times for this type of surgery.

    Recovery from the procedure is as you have said individual, but as with the hysteroscopy there can be spotting and cramps for a few days after. Here is some information from another hospital trust which might be useful.

    Take care, and hopefully this will all get sorted for you soon. There's nothing to be done while you are waiting for your surgery date other than keeping busy to distract yourself and you will also have a pre op assessment where you can ask further questions. If you can, try and keep off places like this forum, as it does have a cancer focus and that might make you feel more anxious.

    Sarah

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you Sarah for replying  

    I'm ok  today, just getting on with daily life  

    I was just sat wondering about the situation and who I talk to about it  

    I'll give it two weeks and if I've not heard from the hospital then I'll ring up the doctors  and ask them questions.   

     

  • Offline in reply to Gin75

    Hi 

    Just an update I have had my polypectomy under GA. The hysteroscopy I had showed 4 polyps but they only removed 1 of the polyps. The big one. The specialist came and seen me in the recovery and I was still dazed and confused. So I'm starting to worry why have they left the other 3 in. ‍♀️ I didn't get an explanation when I asked. 
    who do I ask about it  ? My doctor 

    I had pain and bleeding for the day after the procedure, I just took paracetamol and generally I am feeling ok. Just waiting on the biopsy results now. 
     

  • in reply to Gin75

    Hello and thank you for posting,

    I am unable to tell you exactly what happened and why during your surgery. It would be best to discuss this with your doctor. What I can say is it isn't unusual to remove large polyp that they feel will cause symptoms as often small polyps are present and we aren't aware.

    I'm glad you are feeling well now after your surgery. It is just a matter of waiting for the biopsy results. When you do get your results you will then be able to ask any other questions you have.

    Take care.

    Sarah.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.