u/Possible-Animal-9877

Hi all,

I've had my first gynaecology appointment at the hospital today and just wanted to give an overview of my experience for everyone. Reading everyone else's has been really useful.

Long story short, always had painful and heavy periods, went on the pill at ~14 until 21, fell pregnant very quickly (planned) and returned to pill at 22 straight after birth until I turned 29, three years ago. Wanted to experience being off all hormones. First year I had very irregular periods, then settled, the last year they have been worse than ever before.

I was referred to Gynae in November 2025, my appointment was today in August 2026 so it's been a long wait. I went prepared with a list of symptoms plus general information about cycle length etc. I used chatGPT to help put all my symptoms into categories which was really helpful.

I took my husband with me to the appointment. She started by asking general questions and getting a history. She then (unsurprisingly) asked if I would consider the pill or the coil 🫠 I explained I wasn't completely closed to the idea but wanted to explore further investigations for Endo so we can diagnose the actual issue rather than just cover symptoms on the pill.

She also examined me and took an endometrial biopsy which I wasn't expecting and was very uncomfortable but over with fairly quickly.

She asked if I wanted some time to consider going on a list for a diagnostic laparoscopy and I said I'd prefer to just be put on the list and I've already had an email a few hours later to complete a pre-op questionnaire. I'm in Gloucestershire and she said the wait for surgery is approx 3-6 months. I've been told that if they find mild endo, they could excise the lesions at the time but if it's more severe, I'd be referred to a specialist Endo centre (our closest is Bristol) for further surgery with a specialist.

Overall it was a pretty positive appointment and I'm glad I didn't have to fight tooth and nail for a laparoscopy although it was really helpful to have my husband with me when she started suggesting the pill and coil as he was able to (nicely) tell her not to fob me off and ensure they did further investigations.

Happy to answer any questions!

I was referred to a gynaecologist back in November and my appointment is next month.

I'm suffering with debilitating periods, and have done since the started when I was 11 (I'm now 32). I was on the pill from around 14-29yo which helped symptoms as I would run packs together to prevent the period. I have now come off the pill and my periods are back to being unbearable.

I'm just interested to know how your first appointments went if you're based in England? I've had ultrasounds which have never shown anything but endometriosis has been mentioned by a number of my GPs over the years and I'm beginning to think it could be that.

Do people have generally good experiences? If I don't get any answers from the appointment then I will likely go private.

General history:

Started periods at 11, immediately very heavy and painful. Time off school every month. GP mentioned endo by about 12 but put me on the pill by 13 to see if it helped. Symptoms mostly went away and then I just used to run the pill and have no break so I'd have no period and therefore no symptoms.

Came off pill August 2023 (age 29) due to not wanting to be on pill forever. Husband had vasectomy so no longer needed from contraceptive perspective either.

Initially periods were very irregular. After 1 year, went to GP, had transvag ultrasound, blood tests etc, nothing found. Periods eventually became more regular. Symptoms were still painful and relatively heavy but just about manageable.

August 2025, had cervical screening results which were positive for HPV and underwent LLETZ procedure to remove CGIN (pre cancerous) cells. The four periods following that were the worst of my life - extreme pain and heavy bleeding to the point of almost passing out each month. Had another ultrasound, again, nothing found.

Referral made to gynae in November, appointment is August 2026. Symptoms calmed down marginally again but last two periods have been as bad as the four last year, I'm soaking through tampons every 1.5 hours for the first couple of days, in agony, pain is front, lower back, hips, thighs. I'm nauseous regularly. I've been prescribed mefenamic acid to start using but haven't seen any effects yet.

Had full bloods etc done again last month which came back normal. GP kept mentioning the pill again but I don't want to go back on it and feel there should be an answer to all this so we can treat the issue rather than just being on the pill forever and masking the problem.

It's so hard to tell if my symptoms match with Endo but no investigations have found anything so far, even though various GPs have said oh maybe it's endo. I'm not sure what to expect from my gynae appointment next month but want to be prepared as possible. If anyone has any experience in the UK, I'd love to hear!