What to expect with an Endosee Office Hysteroscopy
Throughout my vaginal health journey, I have had to go through a lot of testing and surgeries to help determine if one thing was causing all of my issues or if solving one problem would help relieve my symptoms elsewhere. Along the way, I've looked for blog posts or personal experiences from women my age (29 no kids), and I have yet to find one that describes what an Endosee is like and what to expect before and after.
Before I was recommended to get the Endosee procedure done, I was going to my gynecologist once every 8-12 weeks for an intravaginal ultrasound to monitor any changes or additional cysts in my uterus or on my ovaries. During one of these ultrasounds, my Doctor noticed something that looked like a blob in the corner of my uterus. She mentioned that it was likely a blood clot and would come out during my next cycle but that we should monitor it. She instructed me to come back after my next period. At that appointment, they noticed that the "blood clot" did not come out and had, in fact, grown. This was when my Doctor recommended that I get the Endosee procedure done. The procedure is where they take a camera into your uterus and look for polyps or fibroids and complete a biopsy. My initial thoughts were that I was not interested in having this procedure done. I had already gone through a recent cystoscopy, pelvic floor physical therapy, intravaginal ultrasounds, and many other testing and procedures that I was with my wit's end with. After taking into consideration of my family health history and discussing it with closest friends and family, I determined I needed to get it done.
This Blog walks you through what to expect before the procedure, during the procedure, and after the procedure.
Before the procedure:
Your Doctor should provide you with some guidelines of when you should schedule, what to expect, and typical information on the procedure. I was told that to schedule my procedure, and I was to call on the first day of my cycle. When you call, they try to schedule within ten days of that day. Of course, as with anyone, I had a lot of questions on what the procedure felt like and what to do prior to the procedure. I was told that 2 hours before my appointment, I should take three ibuprofen and that the procedure would feel like contractions. Now, I have never had children, so I had no point of reference. It was explained to me that it would be like the worst period cramps I've ever experienced. I was really scared, knowing that this was something I would have to be awake for (Especially as someone who has interstitial cystitis and just looking at my pelvic region the wrong way would inflame me for weeks). As the days counted down to the procedure, I searched the internet HIGH and LOW to find someone's firsthand account of what to expect. I found none, so I hope this helps you make it through the procedure with a little more peace of mind.
During the procedure:
When I arrived at the Doctor's office for the procedure, they took a urine sample to confirm I was not pregnant and then took me back to the room to get started. You are told to lay on the table as you would for a typical pap smear appointment. When they start, they insert the speculum and begin to clean the cervix. That part felt a little like a normal pap smear. After that, the Doctor then inserts the Endosee camera tool into your cervix and then into your uterus. I felt a pinch and then immediate cramping. To me, this felt like the worst period cramps I've ever felt. It felt like everything was tightening, and I started sweating. I tried to focus on my breathing to get through the cramping. I also had a stress ball that I squeezed to try and take the focus away from the pain. This is the one I used (click here). During the procedure, the Doctor helped direct my breathing; I thought that was helpful. You can feel the tool moving around, but I tried not to focus on that. My Doctor informed me that she was finished and would be taking the tool out, I felt a slight pinch again, and almost immediately, the cramping stopped. I laid there for a few minutes before getting up and dressed.
After the procedure:
Once the Endosee is complete, you go back to your baseline in about an hour or so. You can bleed for up to 48 hours post-procedure, so I recommend bringing a panty liner or pad with you to the appointment as you are not supposed to use tampons for two weeks post-procedure. For me, I was spotting for about 48 hours and back to normal, pain-wise, within an hour. I did experience what I can only describe as soreness in my abdomen for about two days, but nothing unbearable.
Overall, this procedure is not easy. It's stressful, painful, and extremely uncomfortable. However, this is not a procedure that you can not get through. I was terrified, and it's not something I want to go through again, but it is something that has helped me on my health journey. I did cry during the appointment, and I felt like a complete baby but just know if you do end up having to get an Endosee done that you will survive it, and after the procedure, you go back to normal within hours.
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