Constant Heavy bleeding / endometrial cancer / hysteroscopy

Hi everyone 

I'm new and really looking to see if anyone else is in a similar situation as me. I'd love to hear some advice and supporting words (if possible!)

I'm 29 and I've been having heavy bleeding non stop for a long time. Initially it was just irregular light bleeding and I went to my GP (after almost some months or so), I was told to just "see how it goes" so I went home and tried forgetting about it. 

Fast forward a bit more and the bleeding began to get heavier. I went back to the GP (there was a lot of back and forth). The GP told me "this might be something you might just need to deal with for the rest of your life". Ofcourse that wasn't reassuring at all. 

After some more time I went back again to the GP (this time someone new) and she told me I need to have it investigated further. I went and had a pelvic transvaginal/ultrasound examination. The results of this led to a urgent 2 week wait endometrial cancer referral. (My endometrial lining was too thick I think)

I was given a hysteroscopy appointment at the outpatients and after speaking to people who had it done previously and some research on the procedure I decided to request to have it done under General Anaesthesia. (Predominantly due to the pain I already have- cramps etc)

Since i requested this I was told I'd be taken off the 2ww and would need to wait 6-9 months for an appointment to come available. I spoke to a consultant who told me I am "too young to have cancer". There has been a lot of miscommunication between the hospital and my GP e.g. I've had to have a cervical examination repeatedly because of a miscommunication and as many of you will know it's not a pleasant experience. 

anyways, currently I have been bleeding constantly and it has completely taken over my life. If I go for a walk, I come home and I'm bleeding more. Simple things like going out to see my friends is almost impossible now. I am always tired due to low iron. 

although i have friends and family around me (forever grateful for them), I feel let down by the service. I know they are under a lot of pressure but I wish there was more communication about what I can do. 

Since I don't have much experience of going to the GP, contacting hospitals etc I don't know what I can ask. I have always felt bad for contacting them and felt like I was wasting their time. But things are really hard now. 

Although I know it will be painful I'm even considering having the hysteroscopy in outpatients just so I can rule out cancer. But this is a really scary time for me.

Have you or someone you know been through something like this? Is there anything I can do? Someone I can contact? 

Thank you for reading all of this. 

  • I was told the same about having a Hysteroscopy if I didn't have it there and then I would be put on the list to have it under GA and that it could take quite a while so I had it done there and then on the same day , it was painful but at the end of it they were able to tell me they didn't see anything sinister although they did take some biopsies and polyps that I had to wait for the results ,so I was glad I chose to have it done because what I thought was if there was something going on and I left it for longer I would probably have to go through a lot worse in the long run ,that was my experience but everyone's different ,if you don't think you can manage it wait for a GA it might not be that long they could have a cancellation one day ,I hope you get to have it soon to put your mind at rest .

  • Hi. Feeling for you as going through similar here. 
    how thick was your womb lining? 
    i went private and it is 17mm but I’ve waited a month for the hysteroscopy. Am thinking nothing urgent if waiting that long? 
    I have heavy c bleeding, flooding, bloating, discharge, exhausted but not anemic as had that tested. My hysteroscopy is with a local anaesthetic. I’m 46 have had three kids figured it can’t be that bad?!

    good luck keep us posted! It’s so worrying!

  • So sorry to hear what you have been through. I have just had a hysteroscopy today. I wasn’t aware how painful it was!! However I was offered local anesthetic but I chose to go without ( wish I had took them up). It took around 10-15 minutes tops and I had biopsies taken and polyps removed. My advice is try the outpatient route with a local and take someone with you to drive you home and rest up after it. I ave had my biopsies sent off as urgent so I am hoping to get some good news soon.

    Hope it all goes ok for you, you do whatever you feel most comfortable with. As uncomfortable as it is it is a quick procedure. 
    take care x

  • You were right too (effectively) keep on at your GP and I’m glad you got a referral. At 29 yrs old it’s rare but in all honesty I suspect it’s fibroids and the lining was probably thick because mayb you were due on your period. Worrying I know but positive thoughts sending your way ️
    I have been suffering with heavy bleeding since July 2023 I am 46. Was sent for ultrasound and transvaginal in Nov 23 where they noticed a suspected fibroid 4cm received loads of different meds to stop bleeding but nothing worked. 
    FF to August 24 (the pain and bleeding) out of control, more bloods done which showed low iron, put on iron supplements, knackered all the time in pain all the time and using a years worth of sanitation products in a month….. I just got given more meds (spent a fortune)  Nov 24 got a referral……yeah happy days. Jan still heard nothing but asked bloods to be repeated showed lower iron levels, letter to consultants I was seen in gynocology 2 weeks later, had call 1 week later got to have an iron infusion this Saturday 8th Feb as Anaesthetist won’t operate as I’m high risk but got my op on 26th Feb for a GA hytroscopic resection. Not what I wanted so on the waiting list for hysterectomy as I was sterilised in 2015 and don’t want to be in this same situation in a few years time. They have said though if they see anything suspicious they will remove straight away. 
    keep us updated and good luck with everything 

  • I have had 2 hysteroscopies in the past 2 years and for me they were fine, just given local anaesthetic & took Ibuprofen & Paracetamol an hour before and quite honestly they were no worse than a smear for the discomfort factor.  I also had polyps removed & biopsy taken at the same time  Obviously we are all different but for your own peace of mind could you not consider having it done with a local anaesthetic and just see how you get on?  If you are in any pain they will stop immediately and you can then wait to have it done under a general.  Good luck in whatever you decide and I wish you all the best