Comments on: For the WomenFolk – Endometrial Biopsy

By: MarkRoX

MarkRoX — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:54:17 +0000

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.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:47:58 +0000

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.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:18:01 +0000

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.

By: Tamie

Tamie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:09:46 +0000

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.

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:53:45 +0000

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.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:30:51 +0000

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.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:01:57 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:42:58 +0000

I can appreciate your concern that women will avoid this procedure. What I am hearing from the ladies here is to be prepared and to ask your doctor for appropriate pain relief. I had this done today and I was utterly appalled at the lack of preparation anyone gave me verbally or in regard to pain relief. It was no less than barbaric what was done to me and there is frankly no excuse for it. I won't avoid it in the future, but I will be far more demanding as a patient.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:45:32 +0000

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.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:29:53 +0000

OMG. I absolutely agree with you Liz. Horrible pain. I've had 3 of them. Each one the pain got worse and worse. Now I have to go in for my forth one in a couple weeks. I dread it. I told my Gyno the last one that she did , I would NEVER do one ever again. I walked out of her office saying NOPE! I compare the pain to labor pains. It does only last for the most 5 minutes the worst pain, but It is horrible. I can't forget that pain. I need another one because she found entrometrosis cells on my uterus, from my regular annual pap smear. She want's to make sure it's not cancer. She told me to take 3 advil's, 1/2hour before the precedure. She also is giving me 1 pill, that I have to take the night before, which she's say's it will open up my cervic more and probably won't be as painful. I dread this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:16:39 +0000

Hi Wendy. I've had 3 edometrial biopsies. Last one was 5 years ago, before I was going thru menopause to find out why I was bleeding. I now have to go again. I DREAD IT! My doc told me to take 3 advils 1/2 hour before, and gave me a pill to take the night before so it opens up my cervis, to give me a good biopsy. I'm so scared cause she said that I have endometrial cells that she found thru my yearly pap smear. She contacted me 3 weeks after my pap smear and it don't have the biospy for another month, but i do have to take a vaginal ultrasound on Friday, 2 days. I'm wondering how everything worked out for you. My last period was 5 years ago and I feel fine.

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:53:15 +0000

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.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:27:00 +0000

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?

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:03:29 +0000

Hi Diane, I'm wondering if you found the uterine biopsy to be more or less painful that iud insertion? I've had 4 iud's over the last 15 years and each time was extremely painful but I go through it because I have to. I am hoping a bit that the biopsy is less painful than the iud. Any respons would be greatly appreciated!!

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:56:05 +0000

Hi Elaine, I have to have this procedure done myself. I am pretty nervous as I've had an IUD inserted and found the pain to be excruciating when each doctor has told me that it would feel like a menstrual cramp. I can say that having the IUD in felt like the most intensely painful experience I've ever. It makes me want to slap anyone that says "oh it's just some mild cramps". I am concerned that this uterine biopsy will be the equivalent. Thank you for what you wrote. I believe I will request some numbing medication from my doctor prior to the procedure. I knowI don't want to go through that pain.
On a side note, I enjoyed reading your vivid description of the pain feeling "sensations like a team of tiny elves playing with bic lighters in my abdomen and throwing jagged concrete blocks around in there". I used the description after my Iud was inserted of the "feeling of a tiny thunderstorm with lightening bolts along with an earthquake"…not nearly as funny as yours. Thanks for that. Not sure if you will get my response but I am wondering how long it took you to heal.

By: Atlanta_mom

Atlanta_mom — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:22:57 +0000

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.

By: crimsoncat

crimsoncat — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:25:37 +0000

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-

By: Sheila

Sheila — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:50:12 +0000

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!

By: melissa rey

melissa rey — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:16:56 +0000

So, christina, how was it? im having an endometrial biopsy tomorrow morning.

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:18:52 +0000

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.