Endometrial Biopsy

Hi everyone,

I don't really think I'm looking for any advice per say, I think I just need to talk it through, like saying things out loud and knowing no judgement is around me.

I have had light spotting between cycles for around 2 years. As well as discomfort during sex and some spotting afterwards. The between cycle spotting had gradually started to get worse and my periods began to get really heavy and involved a lot of clotting and pain. I would know by the immense pain that I was about to pass a larger clot than usual on occasion.

Anyway I went for pelvic and TVs ultrasound which showed 'cystic areas snd thickened endometrium' this led to me going for a hysteroscopy during which I had biopsy taken from my lining. The consultant had expected to find polyps due to the cystic areas on the scan but she couldn't find any. She didn't offer any other reason for the scan results showing these.

During the hysteroscopy she advised I needed my cervix cauterised with silver nitrate so this was done there and then and a mirena coil was fitted to try help alleviate symptoms in the mean time.

I was told at the time that due to Covid causing delays at the lab that I could expect to wait up to 12 weeks for my results. My biopsy was taken on 18th may so I'm at the 10 week mark and my anxiety feelings are growing daily. I desperately check the mail daily to see if there's a letter and constantly check to make sure my mobile is in signal when I'm out or at work.

Ive had constant spotting since my biopsy other than 2or 3 single days in total throughout the 10 weeks. I have avoided intercourse throughout this time and my partner has been super supportive but he did bring me some joy externally which led to a heavy bleed almost instantly afterwards so no more of that till results are in.

I don't know whether the constant spotting is due to ongoing issue or perhaps a side effect of the mirena being fitted so I wondered if any ladies on here have had a similar experience to this and did it settle and how were your results.

Im at the point now of just needing to know either way. I'm petrified of a bad result but I'm also scared of a good result and nothing being done and then I'm left like this. I can't continue like this much longer. I'm so drained.

Thanks for listening(reading)

Fiona x

 

  • Hi Fiona,

    It sounds like you're going through quite a lot with this and I can understand the uncertainty and the long wait must be really difficult. Whatever happens with the results there'll be some next steps which will hopefully make things a little easier.

    If you get to the 12 week waiting point you could always call to check on the situation. I can understand this must all be tough - try to take things a day at a time and focus on keeping yourself busy to help keep your mind off things as much as possible.

    I hope you know more soon. Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi

    That's a long time to wait anxiously for results. I had a D&C and the tissue was sent off for biopsy after having a 24mm endometrium which appeared cystic. I paid privately for the procedure which cost £3000 including the initial consultation. This is because my GP did not refer me and the appointment which I did get with the NHS would not have been suitable for me as I am prone to fainting and also there was a wait for it. The plus side of that is that I had the procedure within a week of seeing the Gynaecologist and he telephoned me 6 days later to say nothing sinister was found. I will see him next week to see if it is just simple hyperplasia or one of the other types. So, labs can return the results quickly when paid. Maybe the NHS pay them less. I would definitely chase them for those results and keep at it. It is not acceptable to be kept waiting like that especially when you are still experiencing symptoms. My Gynaecologist said that I should not be having to pay for the procedure. My GP literally said to me 'it is not my department' and had no idea what a thickened endometrium could indicate and obviously thought it was acceptable for a woman to bleed every day for 5 months!

  • Thank you both for taking the time to reply. It really does bring comfort to have this forum here for support.

    I feel like a fraud being on here at times due to not having results yet but just knowing there is unjudgemental understanding here helps so much. 

    I am going to give it a few days then give them a call. My head is so preoccupied with it constantly that I'm struggling to think straight.

    I will pop on to update as soon as I know more.

    Thank you again for the support. It means more than you know x

  • So I decided to give them a phone today. I spoke to the consultants secretary, who was lovely.

    She checked and unfortunately nothing is back yet, she said all results have been taking at least the 12 weeks to come to the department lately and was really sorry there was nothing there for me yet.

    I explained that Tuesday will be the 12 week point and she gave me the unfortunate news that my consultant is on leave next week so if they do come through on Tuesday it will be the following week before they are looked at. 
    Ive to give till 2 weeks today and if not heard then I've to call back.

    She honestly couldn't have been more apologetic snd empathetic towards me not getting answers yet snd the stress that must be causing. 
    Guess there's no more I can do than wait another 2 weeks, suppose I've waited this long already eh ?

    Counting it down already