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.
64 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.