Endometrial Biopsy-what to expect??

Hi,

I will be having an endometrial biopsy in a couple of days. What should I expect? My doctor mentioned premedicating with ibuprophen. Will this be enough? I am something of a wimp when it comes to pain. Read a littile bit on this website and it sounds kind of painful. Will I be able to dirve myself home? I understand there may be extra bleeding, but since I have been bleeding daily for past five months, would I even notice ?????
Working up to fianl decision re: hysterectomy for prolonged/heavy bleeding complicated by PCOS.

Thank you!

I had one done in February....it is PAINFUL! DOn't do it with out narcotics!!! I had one doc try to convince me that I would be fine with ibuprophen. I 'm glad my pcp agreed to do it with narcotics. I haven't had children so my cervix is wayyy small. They have to get past the cervical opening with a long tube. If you have had children it is not nearly as painful, so I have heard anyway. ;-) Please, ask for pain meds. ;-)

Apparently there is a range of response to an endometrial biopsy. I had very minimal discomfort with no premedication... basically it felt like a pinch and it was over very quickly. I had had a vaginal delivery previously, though.

I drove myself home and took an ibuprofen afterwards only because my DR suggested it (I didn't need it). I had some slight spotting but nothing I would call real bleeding - just used a panty liner that day.

It was really a non-event for me, but I've heard others who have felt differently about it.

I just wanted to mention, you might want to talk with your doctor about how they'll handle your PCOS afterwards. PCOS is not cured by a hysterectomy, nor by ovary removal, since it's a disorder of the entire endocrine system. It can make balancing HRTs after ovary removal more complicated, too.

Good luck with the biopsy!

s,
-Linda

Mine was more like Surferbabe's. My gyne-oncologist decided to do one in his office as part of my internal exam so I had no forewarning or prep. His nice nurse did hold my hand but I didn't even really need that!!! I didn't feel anything much while he inserted the instrument. There was quite a sharp pain for a couple of seconds while he took the biopsy but there was no pain after. I had light spotting for about a week afterwards. Didn't take any painkillers - never even thought of it. I also have had 2 kids vagianlly so that may have helped.
So I guess it depends on your "insides" and perhaps on your doctor's skill....

I had a similar experience to Canteach. It felt like bad menstrual cramps but it wasn't too bad. I had no pre-medication. I've never been pregnant but I had had a transvaginal ultrasound in the same office visit - we were looking at my ovaries for PCOS (yup) and noticed my lining was pretty thick, so we went for it right then. I drove myself home, no problem, and ibuprofen worked just fine for the pain.

I have had 2 endometrial biopsies in the past 3 years and they didn't feel good at all. The first time I didn't take anything, the Dr just did it right there in the office and the second time they gave me Morin about 20 minutes before and it did absolutely nothing for me. Yes you can drive yourself home but later you will ache and possibly the next day too. I never want to have that done again and definitely need more than Morin. They obtain the tissue by entering through your cervix and your cervix is normally not dilated so that doesn't feel good at all. Silly me went back to work right afterward both times and in about an hour or two of having the biopsy I could barely walk upright. Had trouble sleeping that night too, it felt like I was having mild contractions. Of course I have a very sensitive body so the pain was a little more intense for me and I have had one child 20 years ago, so my cervix wasn't open that much. My Dr tried to get me to cough as she was pushing the instrument inside. Hate to tell you but it was just horrible for me. If you can get something besides Motrin, take it! They may tell you that its not that big of a deal but it is. If your Dr is a female ask her if she has ever had one done.

Hi Cmt,

I had a biopsy in September 2009 and based on my reading of many many websites I was terrified! There are alot of stories out there, and I think the difficult times are reported more than the times that went fine on some sites. (that is why I like this site so much)

I am pretty wimpy when it comes to pain myself.

I did take a motrin (800mg) 30 minutes before the procedure. It was definately uncomfortable, and at times the cramping was pretty intense. But when it got to the worst of it I asked the doctor if he would be done when I counted to 10, he said, "Nope, I'm done now".

I was pretty crampy immediately after the procedure and the doctor gave me a vicodin in the office. (My DH was there to drive me home -- though except for the vicodin would have been totally unnecessary)

I did not have any post procedure pain or cramping after the immediate cramping.

Hope all goes well!

I had the endomitral biopsy, and had no problems after at all, I havent had children so that couldnt have been the reason. It hurt for a few minutes and I had bleeding for the rest of the day but that was it.

I had a different experience. I had a previous attempt that was unsuccessful so I was sent to a GYN. I premedicated 2 hrs ahead with 2 Aleve. I've never been pregnant, and because of the failed attempt the GYN used a local block. It felt a bit like a pinch. The actual biopsy had no pain, due to the block. I had no pain later, no spotting, drove myself. I'd say, ask for the local block. I was terrified of the pain, esp knowing the 1st Dr couldn't get it, but it was truly nothing with the local, and it was hard to get into my cervix. Good luck with your biopsy, hope its as pain free as mine (maybe call ahead and ask if they do the local block?) And hope the results are normal.

It was a non-event for me as well. Truly, not much worse than a PAP. I was not medicated. The discomfort was just a couple of seconds and I had no cramping and just very light spotting afterwards.

So, how;d it go or have you not had it yet?