Endometrial Biopsy
I am appalled and angered that so many women go through this very painful procedure without being accurately informed of what to expect.
It hurts. A lot.
Yet most doctors tell their patients that they’ll feel a mild pain. Most medical references also associate the procedure with a mild pain. Oh, they’re completely wrong.
“I had an endometrial biopsy yesterday. I am still quite ill today. I had more pain with this procedure than I have ever had in my life…and I’ve had two children, two elective abortions, 14 eye surgeries, an extensive breast biopsy, esophageal biopsy, lung biopsy, bilateral skin biopsies from my legs, sinus surgery and biopsy, and 14 periocular injections of corticosteroids.” – from http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com
Initially, I wasn’t going to share this information with the World Wide Web, but after reflecting more on my experience, I thought it might be a good idea to put it out there, even if it only helps one other woman.
I had a “surprise” endometrial biopsy the other day. It was a surprise because I did not know in advance of going to the doctor’s office that this procedure was going to be performed. I was under the impression that I was going in to get results from my cervical biopsy and get checked out to make sure I was healing properly. (Oh, and please don’t be worried about me – I’m fine, results were negative, all is well.) So the doctor says she needs to biopsy my uterus because endometrial (uterine) cells had shown up in my cervix. Which in some cases can be a problem. I don’t think it’s a problem in my case, because I have absolutely no other symptoms of any kind of uterus problem. But the doctor wanted to make sure.
So, for all you ladies out there, in case you ever need an endometrial biopsy done, I would advise that you
a.) find out why this procedure is necessary,
b.) reschedule a time to have it done instead of getting it done right then and there
c.) take painkillers beforehand.
The biopsy was a relatively quick experience, but definitely the most painful thing I’ve ever been through. And afterward I felt embarrassed that I was “making such a big deal out of it.” I felt that I should have asked the doctor for some time to do relaxation exercises. I felt that I was exaggerating, that the pain couldn’t really be that bad, and that I was just a big wuss.
And then I did some research.
Now, here is what most doctors will tell you about the procedure:
The instruments may feel cold. There may be some pain as the cervix is grasped. Some cramping may occur as the instruments enter the uterus and when the sample is collected.
And here is what a woman who has had an endometrial biopsy has to say:
The biopsy is an outpatient procedure that only takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Before the biopsy you should take something for the pain, since the procedure isn’t performed under sedation. My doctor gave me the option to take 2 Percosets an hour beforehand. Two or three tablets of Motrin is an option if you don’t want to (or can’t) take something stronger.
The first stage of the biopsy is very similar to a normal PAP smear.After you get comfortable in the stirrups, your doctor will insert a speculum. If your cervix isn’t at the right angle, your doctor will need to use a tenaculum to move it into position. This does hurt, because the tenaculum has pincers that grip your cervix and usually cause some bleeding. After that, your doctor will dilate your cervix and insert a Pipelle aspirator, which uses suction to collect the sample. You’ll feel cramping and then a pulling as the aspirator gathers its sample.
Now, not every woman has a terrible experience with this… especially if they are given pain meds beforehand, and we’re not talking 200mg of OTC ibuprofen – we’re talking valium or percocet. But apparently the considerable pain I experienced is actually quite common. According to several other women:
“They make it seem like it’s going to be as uncomfortable as having your eyebrows waxed, when as you described, my “whole body went into shock.” The kind of pain I experienced after was so deep inside my body, like nothing else I’d had before.”
“For me, the pain was searing and basically excruciating. The only “good” thing about this procedure is that it is kind of brief (though those few minutes do seem to last forever!). I was squeezing the nurse’s hand, grimacing in pain, and afterwards I was super woozy. Definitely felt like passing out just after it was over. Just had this procedure done this morning, and I’m still feeling a bit light-headed and sick to my stomach.”
My doctor was very sympathetic, and admitted that she had never had an endometrial biopsy herself, so she did not know what it felt like. But she also told me beforehand that it would feel like “bad menstrual cramps.” I was certainly not expecting the severe onslaught of intense pain that followed. Two days later, I am still cramping, but more than that I am upset that so many women go through this very painful procedure without being accurately informed of what to expect.
An interesting article: Endometrial Biopsy Pain Is Greater Than Physicians Realize
Sadly, that article is from 2000, but it seems that most doctors have not gotten the message. I will be discussing this with my own doctor, so that hopefully she will better inform other patients in the future, and give them some pain meds to take beforehand.
Not the most pleasant blog ever, but I do hope someone out there benefits from this.
*Update
We just want to thank everyone who has left a comment. We hope that this post, plus the experiences that everyone has shared in the comments section – continues to help inform women out there who are having to go through this procedure. Thank you.
82 Comments
i had my biopsy on tuesday and was so shocked as i was not told i was having it, i was on my period at the time so i was very sure they were not going 2 examine me how wrong i was.Two days later i had 2 go 4 a scan and when i got there she told me i was also having an internal scan but because i had the biopsy she had 2 check first if it was ok 2 do it as she said they never do a biopsy before a scan, they said it was ok 2 do but the pain i felt was so bad as i had not had a chance 2 heal from the biopsy.I have not been told anything about what 2 do now can u still have sex or not can u use tampax, i think we r treated like bits of meat!!!!
Hi, just an update from my previous post: my biopsy was a few weeks back, and thankfully the pain is completely gone, and the results were negative! I continue to have daily bleeding, just enough to be a nuisance! I am calling my GYN today, to ask about a hysterectomy….just the uterus, not the ovaries. I will be 50 at the end of Jan. and just want the bleeding over. I have anemia, so take "the pill" to control it, have "post menopausal" estrogen levels and low testosterone, and he won't adjust the pill, (as my primary care thought he would,) etc…so I think it's time to just have a hyst.; hopefully my anemia will be enough to merit one, even though there's no pathology to show the uterus must be removed.
Prayers to all of you awaiting results, and for those who are in for the shock of your lives having a uterine biopsy!
I had an endometrial biopsy done at noon yesterday. They used some kind of gel anesthetic, and a second anesthetic. The pain was pretty bad, but not overwhelming. I'd say it was similar to having an IUD inserted or taken out. The first time I had one inserted, the female doctor didn't tell me what to expect. It hurt quite a bit, enough that I later thought I probably should not have driven my car for a while afterwards. When I told the doctor about the pain, she said, "Did you think it wouldn't hurt?" I never went back to her!
Anyway, I worked for the rest of the day yesterday with no problem. There was enough blood that I put a tissue in my underwear, and the first time I went to the bathroom there was some blood in the toilet. I still have a tissue in a day later – there is still a little blood, but I have had no pain. So I would say not to freak out if you need this procedure done, but definitely tell your doctor beforehand that you are concerned that the procedure may be a bit painful, and what can be done to help this!
i had my biopsy on tuesday and didnt know i was going to have it..i had one way back in march this year and it wasnt to bad….and thre results were clear..altho they wanted to check for polops but i refused the operation due to personal circumstances…this one however was painful it felt like i was being scratched twice inside…when the doctor had finished he said there would be slight cramping and bleeding….the cramp is as if im giving birth its spread all around my lower back and the bleeding is like having a bad period with clots…and i feel awful …i have to go into hospital for a hysteroscopy on 31st dec and im having an epidural for that….im 62 post menopausel and have thickening of the lining in my womb…
I had an endometrial biopsy a few months ago. I was told I was going to have a colposcopy but didn’t know I was getting the biopsy until I was at the gynecologists’s office.
I agree with the other comments that the pain was awful. I was grasping onto the side of the table. Thank God it was brief, but it is something I hope I never have to go through again!!
I had the procedure done on January 8th, and 3 days later I am still having cramps and bleeding.
Ok, I am scheduled in a week for an EB and I am really scared. I am 57 and have always had probelms with just a pap being painful. I called three OB GYN's in town and asked if they give any localized pain and was told they do not use it. I have been told it only takes about 15 seconds. I have had the pain of 2 kidney stones and thought if I could endour that I could handle this, but now I am wondering.
I am so glad I came to this site. I have an endometrial biopsy scheduled for February 3rd, and now I am extremely terrified. I am honestly thinking of canceling. But, I need to find out why I am having a seemingly never ending period, so I guess I have to get it and deal with it. Wish me luck.
So, christina, how was it? im having an endometrial biopsy tomorrow morning.
I had an endomtetrial biopsy in 2007. I was completely unprepared. My doctor said it will feel like a uncomfortable cramp and will pinch and to just take motrin one hour before. The pain was excrusiating and honestly you need more than motrin to deal with it. I will never do it again without serious pain killers. I recently had an unusual cyle that lasted 3 weeks and my OB is recommending another biopsy to rule out abnormal pre cancerous cells highly unlikely, but wants to rule it out. I’m scared to death to have it done. She gave me a script for Valium to calm my nerves. I’m seriously considering adding Percoset to the mix. Ladies, just make sure you get serious pain killers for this procedure. It’s so unfair to not tell someone what they are really going to experience. If I can keep someone else from experiencing the level of pain I did, then I will at least feel better that the word is out there. Yes, we need procedure, but we also need our doctors to tell us the truth. It’s really going to hurt and here are drugs to counteract the pain. Why do we have to suffer. Knowledge is power ladies. I’m dreading my biopsy next week since it took me months to get over the pain of the last one. Ask your doctor to give you meds. They have to listen if you ask. Don’t just take their word for it that it won’t hurt that bad. That’s not true. Goodluck!
I guess our docs never read statements like these. I've had two bio's and both were very painful. (I thought I should have at least left with a kitten or puppy since the pain reminded me of childbirth!) Docs need to experience some of the procedures they perform. Don't tell me what you know, tell me what YOU'VE gone thru-
Hi, I just got biopsy 2 days ago, and it still hurts. It hurts so much that I do not like cooking, cleaning or do much that involved a lot of walking. It reminds me of days after giving child birth. Has anyone had a such bad case of biopsy? My doctor did not warn me about any of this. She said ''some cramping'' but this is not just some cramping. It hurts and I feel like something is pulling. Not only the procedure is awful, the side effects last forever. I really wish that doctor had told me it would be very painful so that I could schedule my appointment accordingly. How long is this going to last? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
I just had a biopsy 3 hrs ago with NO explanation about side effects before or after. I want to call my doctor and ask for painkillers but I’m worried they will judge me. I’m home alone with my 2 kids(my husband is travelling). Don’t know what to do. Can I ask for pain meds?
I had the biopsy this morning and wished I found this site before I went to know what to expect. When I googled ” side effects of endometrial biopsy I found this site. Doctor said, oh after 5. Mins the pain will go away. It has been 12 hrs now and I’m still in pain and my stomach is swollen tight as a drum and still bleeding. I asked if there was some numbing spray and she said, it would hurt more than the procedure. I don’t think anything has hurt so much and I’m mad because she never offered any information about home care or what to expect after the procedure. I hope to never experience this ever again. No motrin or vicodin will prevent that pain. It hurts !! Its more than uncomfortable. How I wish I read this first to know what to expect.
I had this procedure done this morning. I purposely did not do research about the pain ahead of time, thinking it might only make it worse. I took two extra strength Tylenol an hour before. I have a very high threshold for pain and thought that should more than take care of it. My nurse went as far as to tell me that she had never heard anyone complain of it being a painful procedure before. Needless to say, I didn't put much stock in that BS. After the doc came in, I soon found myself sobbing and writhing in pain. I was actually a bit embarrassed at my reaction to the pain. Mentioned to the doc what her nurse said and she rolled her eyes saying she herself had had it done and it is very painful. So give me a flippin clue about it ahead of time and do a local anesthetic or something! I will be following up with someone at the clinic on this one. Never again will I allow this procedure to be done without some attention given to the pain involved.
Was wondering if anyone experienced weight gain due to water retention 2- 3 weeks afterwards. I still don't feel quite right.
I also, thought it was very painful procedure. Results were normal, though.
Thanks for your input. Always nice to know you're not alone.
Deb, Like you I am still feeling a bit off a month and 2 weeks after mine and was wondering if anyone else has had no period after this? I am about 2 weeks late if not a bit more and i followed my discharge instructions.
I am so relieved to find out it wasn't me being a wimp. I just came from the doctor's office. I had some minor spotting last night and since I am on tamoxifen post-breast cancer, I called to see if I could move up my annual exam. They had an opening for today (not with my regular ob/gyn) so I went in and he decided to do the biopsy along with the pap. I asked him if it was more painful than the pap and he used those idiotic words "mild discomfort". It was so awful. I had to have him stop before he got the biopsy and he said he was sorry to have tortured me. I think he was being slightly sarcastic. I am still shaking. He told me to see my regular doctor. Obviously he didn't want to deal with me.
I had an endometrial biopsy done yesterday and I barely felt anything. I am glad I didn't have the same experience as the people above. I am very nervous and it is all I can think about as well.
I had endometrial biopsy done three days ago and thankfully it wasn't so bad for me. I had read quite a bit online about the procedure and was frankly terrified! I took a Valium 2 mg tablet (that I had left over from a dental procedure awhile back) about an hour before appointment time and then took 600 mg of ibuprofen OTC about 30 minutes later. I don't know if this helped or not, but I just felt a few cramps during the procedure. I kept breathing deep and tried to make my body relax. The doctor did tell me that I did better than most of the women she had done the procedure on, which pretty much convinced me that the meds had to have helped me out some. I am 45 and have had two children.. with the last one being nearly 23 years ago. I have been experiencing really heavy bleeding the last few months and my hormone test showed normal levels..so this was the next step. They did discover with the sonogram that I have a very tiny fibroid in the uterine lining. Now I am just awaiting the results from the biopsy. I would suggest to all women who have this procedure to try and take either Valium or perhaps Xanax for relaxation….and also take the ibuprofen before having this done.
To the ladies who have opted NOT to continue with this procedure b/c of what they have read :
Let me preface this by saying NO ONE is safe from cancer, family history or not…please take testing like this seriously if you are experiencing issues, address them. I am 30 years old, no family history of cancer and luckily, through a pap was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 18. The Dr.s were convinced that I had HPV which would have caused the abnormal cells, wrong! The test was negative. I look at precautionary tests like this in a totally different way now. If I wouldn't have followed through with things, there is a possibility I wouldn't be here today with my wonderful husband and beautiful son.
Fast forward…I've been experiencing peri menopausal symptoms which is why the Dr wanted the EB done.
I had my EB this morning. I made the mistake of reading numerous things on the web including this site. My experience wasn't pleasant (what gyn procedure is?) but it was not horrible like many of the ladies have stated. I am a firm believer that each persons body reacts differently to everything and this just reaffirmed that to me. I had mild cramping during the procedure, but 4 hours later I feel almost normal. There is a small amount of residual cramping and I feel a little tired, but other than that nothing. I'm sorry to all of you that had a bad experience. However, I wanted to let the nervous ladies know that it's different for everyone.
We agree Kim that people should definitely have the procedure done if a good doctor thinks it should be done – what many of the women have issue with is the lack of truthful information that the doctors convey as far as how painful the procedure is for many women out there. Obviously we don't have statistics on how many women feel 'extreme' pain from this procedure and how many feel the 'mild cramping' that doctors seem think – but ENOUGH women feel the extreme pain that doctors should definitely make them aware AND provide them with the option of taking stronger pain medication before and after the procedure. If our blog can be more informative on such a painful procedure than many doctors are being – then Doctors really need to re-examine how they're preparing patients for this procedure and what information they're giving them.
I just read what you wrote about your experience. I was told last night, that I was going to need to have this procedure done, and I have been searching all day today to find any information on this. I am thankful that someone gave me a heads up before I go in to have this done to myself. Thank you for informing those of us who haven't had it done before, and are going to go through it. I have been pregnant 9 times, and have only had 4 live births. The rest were miscarriages. Never has any doctor done a D&C on me, so I haven't even got that to go by. I have been having my period non-stop for the last 6 months, and this procedure they tell me, could help explain what is causing it since my blood tests all came back clean. Again, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing.
I had an EB this morning, and it was a surprise to me! I have had three children, and I am no wuss, and it is the most painful and uncomfortable procedure I have ever had! Now with that being said, I know that I needed to have it done, and that is fine! I am more upset by the lack of information that is given to patients before and after the procedure! I had no fair warning, no time to take some OTC meds, nor did I receive any post EB instructions on what to expect as normal side effects.I feel so weak and I can’t describe the sensations that I am experiencing. I also drove myself to the appointment, and had to go back to work and stand all day. Some instructions ahead of time might have been helpful, so that preparations could have been made to ensure my comfort and rest for the day of the procedure! You should without a doubt have the procedure if your doctor recommends it, I just feel that doctors and nurses don’t properly inform patients beforehand.