hysteroscopy for endo diagnosis?

hi all,

I came off the pill in 2020, just sick of all the years of chemicals and frankly with my sex life, contraception is like building a damn in the desert - utterly pointless.

not long after i had all the classic endo symptoms and after a skilful Endo Ultrasound on harley st, it was found to be all over the bloody shop.

So I went to the GP for a referral to a specific endo specialist my friend loved, and a mere 18months later I will be seeing him in December.

He has decided the initial consultation will involve a hysteroscopy.

My question is - really? Seeing as that one looks up your hoo-ha into your womb, is that a diagnosis tool for endo? Isn’t the womb the one place it isn’t, or am I being dumb? Still learning here.

thanks gals x

[Pennyiswonderful]

Surely you need a laparoscopy rather than a hysteroscopy. I’ve had both procedures and the laparoscopy was the thing that removed my endometriosis. The laparoscopy was also done without a GA and it wasn’t that pleasant tbh. X

[Hidden in reply to Pennyiswonderful]

Without a general?! Yikes!!

I argued the case with his secretary and she said the decision is made by a bunch of the gynae docs based on my history. Personally I think a hysteroscopy is just way quicker and cheaper. Maaaayyybbee they’re trying to rule out something else but with my ultrasound diagnosis under my belt, I wonder what their thought processes are. Safe to say they seem very sure this is the way to go. And after 18 months on a list I’ll take anything basically.

[Pennyiswonderful in reply to Hidden]

it’s a nightmare isn’t it. Maybe they’ll do that first and then a laparoscopy? If you need it treating / removing they would have to go down that route. Good luck though. I hope you get sorted xx

[Sabrinacolada]

Hi,

Bless you sounds like an absolute nightmare. Before my diagnostic lap last year I was on a waiting list for hysteroscopy. However this was because at ultrasound they had suspected a potential uterine polyp. In the end I had the hysteroscopy while under the same anaesthetic for the lap ( but by then I had gone private having no luck nhs with any diagnostics- told a follicular cyst and polyp was the issue. But at lap found grade 4 endo and adenomyosis ). There was no polyp ,possibly just a abnormal region due to adenomyosis.

Is it possible they want this test for a uterine issue or something else seen during imaging? Could you get your scan report? And / or discuss with the specialist why they want it? As you have said endo is external to the womb and a hysteroscope is invasive thus I'd really want clarity on why this test will be done.

❤ Sabrina xx

[Avourneen]

I have stage 4 endo and had a hysteroscopy before I was diagnosed while preparing for fertility treatment. I had to have a general anasthetic and was extremely sick. They did not notice any endo or flag it up, it doesn't seem the right scan for endo at all.

Perhaps they think you have polyps or something, you need to go back and ask why they are planning to do this, is it related to the endo or is it for something else? They must have a reason but try to find out what it is. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Avourneen]

I did send them an email asking why and they said: "When your referral comes in it is triaged by a Consultant. It is their decision what path you need to take and on this occasions it was decided that you need a hysteroscopy."

So that's that! Ive waited so long, I am just gonna turn up and ask them what their thinking is. I don't even want kids so I care not a jot about the womb, just take the lot out IMO. I just want to get onto HRT and stop the pains. Hate worrying that my organs are fusing together this whole time. My GP said 'just go back on the combined pill'. Good one, hide it.

[bluebug in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like an NHS box ticking exercise. If you had an ultrasound that diagnosed you then a hysteroscopy is unlikely to show anything new. I had one after having an ultrasound that diagnosed my adeno - waste of time. The only thing is after that you should be put on the waiting list for some actual treatment and depending where you are you may get cancellation appointments.

[Mneutz in reply to Hidden]

Hi. I had a laparoscopy with laser surgery to remove endometriosis at 19yrs old. I was told the only way to diagnose endo is by lap. I don’t take hormones. Now I’m in perimenapause. 55yrs. Don’t take any hormones. Too many side effects. Good luck with your journey.

Tina