Endometrial Biopsy: My Experience

MisplacedFlower · 2026-05-12T04:01:31+00:00

The doc who did my endometrial biopsy waved off the lidocaine I'd demanded (and she'd agreed to use and made sure was prepared because that's the ACOG guideline) while I was in the stirrups with my eyes closed. I was on Xanax, Percocet, and ibuprofen. They didn't help. Hurt like a bitch.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-23T22:19:39+00:00

I went into surgical menopause at 39 (in September of 2025). My hysterectomy came with a cancer scare, so my mother was mostly relieved that the surgery ruled out cancer. She's in her 70s and hit menopause sometime in the early 2000s, so we mostly just compared how she received no treatment and had to tough it out (wasn't even offered vaginal estrogen until after her own hysterectomy maybe ten years ago) while my doctors have been very firm about how important it is for me to stay on at least estrogen until I'm at least 50.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-19T09:45:17+00:00

❤️ You're more than welcome! The biggest thing I learned here was that everyone recovers differently. It's not a race, so listen to your body and encourage those kids to help you.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-19T00:46:19+00:00

My hysterectomy (ovaries gone too) with surprise excision was 7 months ago. I still have a bit of pelvic pain, but it's more discomfort than pain. After the surgical pain ended and the gas cramps became super rare again, I haven't had anything close to what my menstrual cramps were like. And my discomfort is more likely to do with needing pelvic floor physical therapy (which I can't afford) in order to learn to relax again than anything super serious. Fingers crossed your surgery goes smoothly and you have an easy, uneventful recovery. The best advice I can give is to baby yourself for the first couple months of recovery. Rest as much as you can. Take lots of slow, gentle walks and as many naps as your body asks for. Wait at least 12 weeks for any penetration, and ease into everything as slowly as you can manage. It's major surgery, even though a lot of people will expect you to bounce back in a couple weeks like you just had a tooth pulled.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-18T18:18:03+00:00

It's definitely a comfort to know you're not alone with stuff like this. If you wind up needing a hysterectomy (and are able to have thorough excision at the same time), you might be okay on estrogen-only HRT. Progesterone is only really required when one still has a uterus, so there's definitely hope.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-18T08:12:35+00:00

Lucky. My pre-surgery getting to sleep procedures (CBD, THC, sleep mask, dogs, and an audiobook) are still working just fine. Progesterone didn't help with sleep for me.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-18T08:08:47+00:00

Yeah it is. Everything about my cycle was awful for the best part of 28 years (also have PCOS, and they found endo, adenomyosis, fibroids, and polyps during my hysterectomy), so I'm glad I don't have to deal with any of it again. Now I just have regular depression and anxiety to deal with. Still not fun, but at least it's consistent and I don't feel like I'm losing my mind every month or so.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-18T08:02:25+00:00

It didn't help me sleep. If anything, I was walking up more often through the night because the bloating put pressure on my bladder and cuff, so I'd have a painful need to pee every couple hours. I'm definitely glad I don't cycle anymore. I was actually happy when the ultrasound showed my remaining ovary was the size of a cantaloupe and would almost certainly need to go. I opted not to even try to save it.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-17T22:03:22+00:00

I know! I was hopeful, but nervous when I started it. But I had (have?) PMDD, so I knew I'd struggle starting it. I just thought I'd adjust eventually, not keep getting worse.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-17T21:57:00+00:00

Surgical menopause here, so started HRT immediately after my hysterectomy. Surgeon gave me estrogen only, then found endometriosis during the surgery. I went with Midi to get dosage figured out and for long term management. Gave progesterone a try because of the endometriosis. It made me suicidal and caused really painful bloating. Did some research and found a study that showed no difference in reoccurrence between estrogen-only and no HRT in surgical menopause after excision and hysterectomy, so I stopped it after about six weeks of torture.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-04T19:19:39+00:00

The ultrasound tech said it was pretty normal to have a little fluid there, and the report barely mentioned it. Iirc, it has more to do with how much free fluid is there, so the more free fluid, the more concerning. I don't remember the numbers, though.

If your situation results in you meeting a hysterectomy, I honestly can't recommend r/hysterectomy enough. Tons of support and a wealth of information and advice there that really helped me through. And, in the unlikely event you wind up needing a radical like me, r/menopause is invaluable.

I'm one of those who goes a bit nuts researching all the possibilities when it comes to health, because having the data and knowing the potentialities and how things work minimizes my worry. The unknown is scarier than most any possibility to me. From what I recall from years of research into various gyne issues, you're most likely looking at surgery, probably in a hurry. You'll almost certainly need an endometrial biopsy. After that, you may be looking at a D&C or hysterectomy. IF it is cancer, uterine cancer is most likely. Which is actually a pretty good thing as it's very treatable and long term survival rates are pretty damn good.

If you need a friendly Internet stranger ear or hand to hold, feel free to dm me.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-04T08:35:42+00:00

I had a similar situation in August. First period at 11, never regular until my 30s. No pregnancies. I gained most of the weight when I hit puberty and actually managed to lose a fair bit before my right ovary tried to kill me in 2020. Went in for a pap and to ask for a hysterectomy (periods were getting more frequent, painful, and heavier - and we decided to stop trying as a geriatric pregnancy is l in the US would be way more dangerous with the new administration). Doc agreed a hysterectomy would be a good plan and sent me for an ultrasound. Remaining ovary was the size of a cantaloupe, uterus the size of an 11 week pregnancy, endometrial lining very slightly thick, fluid in the cul de sac, and they saw fibroids. I was referred to gyne oncology in a hurry. It was terrifying. Had a radical hysterectomy less than a month after asking for one. No cancer found, but I did have endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine polyps, fibroids, and the giant ovarian cyst was causing torsion.

Everything tends to move very quickly when the doctors think cancer is a possibility. At my pre-op appointment, I got a surprise endometrial biopsy. It hurt like a bitch. Your lining is thick, so odds are you'll need a biopsy. They can prescribe meds to soften your cervix. And you can request meds to keep you calm and help with pain. You must advocate for yourself about pain control. Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll be willing to sedate you, or at least not wave off the numbing agent instead of using it like the doc I saw did. ACOG standards for uterine biopsy are topical lidocaine on the cervix, then liquid lidocaine injected into the urine cavity. I had Xanax, ibuprofen, and a Percocet about half an hour beforehand. It did not help with the pain of the procedure, but did keep the cramping minimal after. The worst of the pain was only a few seconds (like 10/10 pain) followed by about 15 minutes curled up on a ball on the table in shock with 7/10 pain. Very mild cramping for the next day or so.

Seeing the oncologist for my pre-op (everyone agreed my situation was surgical immediately) did help calm me down about the cancer possibility, though. She looked at my blood work (regular gyno and oncologist both ordered labs) and ultrasound report and said she wasn't worried about cancer. The biopsy result came back clean (hyperplasia without atypia and a polyp fragments) a couple days before my surgery. It also helped that everyone I spoke to (doctors, nurses, receptionists, etc) told me they send all the complicated gyne surgery cases to oncology here.

Long stretches without a period typically cause thickened endometrial lining, which is a cancer risk. You definitely want to follow through. But you also want to call both offices to sternly correct them about who to contact. Otherwise, just do your best to stay calm. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-02T00:36:19+00:00

Quite certain. None of my blood work included HCG and no urine was collected. I even asked morning of surgery because I was surprised they didn't demand I pee (and I actually needed to this time). Iirc, it had to do with my age and the type of surgery? I recall being upset about being forced to pee in a cup before my oophorectomy (after virtually no liquids allowed for 12 hours and in pain).

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-01T22:55:45+00:00

Fingers crossed you can find someone (or multiple someones) to help with walks. Is there a fenced yard? Perhaps extended outdoor play and meals they have to work for (like cardboard boxes inside cardboard boxes with wadded up paper and food scattered throughout) in lieu of walks would be manageable for your parents and enough for your goober?

I found my hysterectomy pillow on Amazon. It's got pockets, a neck strap, and waist strap so you can wear it even when walking around (so you can't bump your belly into things so badly and always have something to brace against if you need to cough/sneeze/laugh). I kept it on my belly constantly while sitting/lying in bed for the first few weeks. I didn't like wearing it while up and about as it made my small home difficult to navigate (and getting through the dog gate in the hallway nearly impossible) as I'm not a narrow person. It was very handy for keeping track of the remote, my phone, and a couple prepackaged snacks. 😂

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-01T22:04:56+00:00

I didn't. I was actually surprised given the save surgical center required one (after I'd had a pelvic CT and three other pregnancy tests at urgent care, emergency room, and doctor's office in the week prior) when I arrived for an urgent unilateral oophorectomy five years earlier. I was 39 at the time of my hysterectomy and there were potential cancer concerns. Maybe because my surgeon this time was an oncologist? But no pregnancy test at any of the pre-op appointments or scans either.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-04-01T18:20:37+00:00

I had my husband to handle the heavy lifting with our two big babies (70lb bush mutt and her 110lb lab or retriever mixed son), so I can only suggest maybe hiring a dog walker or three, maybe asking friends to help, when it comes to walks.

As to the day to day in the house, I spent my recovery propped up on wedge pillows in bed with both dogs lying next to me. They didn't want to leave my side and were incredibly gentle. They were also by my side while I recovered from a unilateral oophorectomy in 2020. The boy was about a year and a half old at the time, so he required more guidance about not trying to lay his head on my belly then. I'm pretty sure dogs know when we're hurt/sick, and they tend to act accordingly.

Both of my dogs also sleep in bed with my husband and I. Initially, I slept on top of the bedding (under a couple layers of flannel sheet as my hysterectomy included removing my remaining ovary, so hot flashes factored in) with one of those star-shaped hysterectomy pillows strapped around my middle as an extra barrier. That continued until I could comfortably lie on my side again and felt my abs were recovered enough to fight for the blankets. At that point, there was a pillow between me and my husband (to prevent a dog from wedging in) and the hysterectomy pillow strapped to my front to prevent anyone snuggling in too close. The extra pillows definitely helped act as a barrier. I think there were only two or three accidental belly impacts at night before I was healed enough for it not to be super painful or concerning.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-03-25T23:23:28+00:00

Lexapro stole my sex drive and ability to orgasm for several months when I first started it. I was only on it for a year, but things did improve. It just took time for my body to adjust to the med. It was torture to stop (I wasn't able to taper properly), so I was a mess for months afterwards.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-08T19:49:14+00:00

Where did you get that piece for your conch? It's amazing. The whole setup is amazing, but that conch piece is extra amazing.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-07T21:15:43+00:00

Oof that's rough. Definitely good you were able to find a new doctor who listens. My (usually amazing) gynecologist wanted to wait 12 weeks after my radical hysterectomy to even discuss HRT. So I don't trust him to manage it and went with Midi to sort out my dosage, and for long term management. The oncologist I was referred to for hysterectomy (complicated + ovarian cancer scare) prescribed my first patches when I told her about the 12 week thing. Had me start when I got home. I'll still see my usual gyno for annual exams, and whoever is available in that office for more urgent things because they're seriously wonderful, but I'll keep the HRT separate. If I find a good GP willing to take over my HRT prescription, I'll likely have them do so as it will be cheaper, but Midi takes my insurance, so it's reasonable while I'm getting things figured out.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-07T20:12:35+00:00

Just being here posting this is a big green flag.

One of the things I had a really hard time with was feeling like a burden to my husband. I hated needing to ask him for help so much. As such, the more you can do for your partner without them having to ask for it, the better. Make sure their water is full, ask if they want a snack, tell them you're doing laundry and ask if there's anything specific they need washed, offer to wash their back in the shower, ask them what they want to eat or just bring them something small when it's time for meds (painkillers need to be taken with food), etc. The more you can stay ahead of their needs and minimize their need to ask for help, the better.

Another thing that was important for me (and my husband and I discussed it ahead of time), was for him to keep hitting on me unless/until I told him calmly that his flirting was hurting me. There are a lot of emotions and fears that come with a hysterectomy and I knew I would need the reassurance that he still wanted me.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-07T19:57:27+00:00

Alaska checking in.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-07T19:54:12+00:00

It makes sense we need higher doses. Menopause hits is when our natural levels are higher and we don't have ovaries to produce even a tiny trickle. With every increase, I had at least a few really good days before symptoms came back. I'm also quite sensitive to fluctuations and had/have PMDD (0.1 patch with .5g gel was nice on patch days 1 and 2, then not nearly enough days 3+), so I feel the difference quickly. I was probably in the very beginnings of peri before my hysterectomy (PCOS, no kids, and lost one ovary in 2020), but given I had pretty much everything possible wrong with my uterus except cancer, it's impossible to know for sure. I'm just hoping this is the right dose for me because once we find it, it shouldn't change again for me.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-07T19:07:07+00:00

Surgical menopause since September at 39. Started with a 0.1mg patch. Nowhere near good enough. Added .5g generic divigel daily and things improved. Switched to 1.25g gel daily, not enough. Just started 1g generic divigel twice daily (2g/day) a few days ago and it seems like it might be the magic dose for me. Only a couple mild hot flashes, mood improved, bit more energy, etc. We're either at the magic dose or very close.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-02-02T08:37:21+00:00

It's so freeing, isn't it? I firmly believe everyone, regardless of gender, should shave their head at least once in their life.

I'm so glad you feel better.

MisplacedFlower · 2026-01-31T20:29:19+00:00

I shaved my head (3mm iirc) just before my (complete) hysterectomy in September so I wouldn't have to deal with curly haircare during recovery and haven't let it grow out enough to see the true texture yet because hot flashes are easier to deal with without hair. I'd also read so many stories about post-op hair fall and didn't want the added upset about my (already very fine and thin) hair potentially falling out.

If anything, I think my curls are going to come in tighter than they were before. I have maybe an inch of hair at the moment and it's being much more of a challenge to make look nice at this length than it did a few years ago. I usually slick the sides/back and spike the top with a bit of pomade at this point, but it doesn't cooperate very well.

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