Experiences of outpatient hysteroscopy and whether to have it without anaesthetic

Having had polyps related to fibroids removed from my uterus under GA there is no way I would have these removed without general anaesthetic.

Mixed message from me I'm afraid.

I had one in my 40s, including a biopsy and not a single bit of pain. I skipped out of there, straight back to work.

I had one last year in my early 60s and it was fucking agony! I couldn't stand up without nearly blacking out afterwards.

Nurse told me afterwards they get worse the older you are as your cervix gets less soft and flexible. I've vowed if I ever need another I will refuse unless it comes with a GA.

I have had 2 in the last year - full works scan, camera and biopsy. Both without general anesthetic. It is not comfortable but tolerable. I was offered (and took) gas and air for the second one.

I was offered general anesthetic but chose to not have it & don't regret that decision.

For both the pain level was about the same as a marina coil / bad period pains.

To add to the age angle I am 56.

I had one & was terrified! I had the option of ga but decided to try without and see how it went. I was absolutely fine - a little uncomfortable but not bad at all. It’s a tough one as experiences of this procedure seem to vary a lot. I had a hysterosalpingagram years ago & that was a lot worse

My mum had one, it was incredibly painful and they wouldn’t listen to her. I’d ask for GA unless there’s a medical reason meaning this isn’t a suitable option for you.

I had some cervical polyps removed a few years ago. I had to ask them to stop half way through as it was quite painful they apologised and gave me a local anaesthetic. Earlier this year I had and internal womb scan, a hysteroscopy and womb biopsy it was uncomfortable but over very quickly without any pain relief. I was never given the option for a general anaesthetic.

I had one and biopsies at the same time. For me, no worse than a smear and I then drove myself back to work.

There is no way of knowing though and for some women, they're agony.

I had one with no biopsy aged 29 and it was fine.

I had one aged 33 under GA but the hospital only do it under GA there, that was also fine and I came round very quickly. Mild pain from biopsy but period cramps really.

I’ve had two, first one was so painful, absolutely blindsided me. Had to have another a few years later and had a GA, so much better!

Mine is a positive story. I had a hysteroscopy, cervical polyp removal, biopsy and Mirena coil insertion two years ago with just a couple of paracetamol beforehand. I can honestly say I didn't find it in any way painful. It was fine and I drove myself home afterwards. I've had three vaginal births and my (male) gynaecologist reckoned I'd be fine. He said he'd have recommended a GA if he thought I'd need it, but given my obstetric history he didn't think I would. The trouble is, you just can't really predict how it's going to be. I strongly believe all women should have the option of having this procedure under GA.

GA all the way.

It's very true that it's difficult to know how painful it will be until having the procedure. I've had four children all vaginal births, 1st I had an epidural (very long labour) the others gas and air with pethadine. You don't get a prize for grinning and bearing pain and in any situation I've been in medically where I've reached my cut off I will say stop. I wasn't given the option for GA but if at any point I felt like it was unbearable I would have stopped the procedure. My friend mentioned I should ask for GA but I was reluctant for a few reasons I've never had one so the thought of being knocked out made me anxious plus I was with my son when he was put under and it really upset me. It's a tough decision.

I told my male consultant there was no way I was having one without a GA and he replied "absolutely, for what it's worth I wouldn't either" and he does hundreds of them...

I've had two, both with local anaesthetic (plus paracetamol beforehand) and it was fine, less painful than a smear IMO!

TBF this was after I had a cervical polyp removed - the gynaecologist said based on how I tolerated that procedure, he was fairly sure a local would be sufficient (this was private and I also had the option of a GA). So my decision was based on previous experience to an extent.

Also I will say it is a bit uncomfortable until the local kicks in, I was fine after that (both times!).

I had one, I was fine having it done but they couldn’t get far enough up so told me I’d have to have it done under GA.

After I got dressed , they told me to sit and wait for 15 mins outside and did I want a drink
I sat there for about 10 mins and saw dp coming down corridor so got up to meet him and go home.
By the time we got to the car park(5/10 mins ) I was doubled up in pain so much so I literally couldn’t get into the car because I was too scared to move. I’ve never had pain like it , managed to get home , went straight to bed with hot water bottle and 2 paracetamol.

please take 2 paracetamol an hour before procedure

I have had 2 c sections and my cervix has never dilated further than 2 cm, so I wasn't surprised when I couldn't tolerate mirena coil insertion.
However, I managed to tolerate a hysteroscopy very well.
I hope it all goes well for you. I would be inclined to try, and they will stop and book you to have it done with a GA if it's not something you can manage.

For me, it was a most brutal, painful, terrifying and invasive procedure. Friends have had it done and skipped out. I had a tilted uterus, PCOS and adenomyosis, I don't know if any of those things contributed to what, quite frankly, felt like a total violation of my body and my rights.

I have had three. The first one was fine with no pain relief at all. The second one wasn’t as comfortable - the strings to my mirena couldn’t be found so it took a bit longer. I didn’t have pain relief; didn’t enjoy the experience very much. The third one was awful and I couldn’t tolerate it at all. Ploughed through to get it over with; got up and collapsed. I was very perplexed why I reacted so differently to them.

There seems to be so much variation in how women tolerate a hysteroscopy. It is actually great to see women being so supportive of each others differing experiences on this thread. I think physiological and psychological variations make a big difference to how women get on with it. Practically, I would go for it without GA- however with any sort of pain relief available- local anaesthetic, painkillers, gas and air and make it clear that if you are not happy with it at any point, that they stop. I almost passed out and had it under GA in the end, some women- 10% have a vasogal response and can faint, it is involuntary.

I had one and it was horrific and so painful I almost passed out. Honestly felt like I had been violated. However I have always found even smears quite painful. I would never contemplate it without GA if I had to do this again and wish I’d at least been offered gas and air.

There is currently a big national campaign, and I think petition, about lack of pain relief with this procedure and lots of awful stories about the pain women have felt during it. But maybe you will be one of the lucky ones and be relatively pain free.

Here in Australia, they are only done with GA. You'd have to argue to have one done without. FWIW.

I have had 2 hysteroscopies, both with biopsies, in my late forties and late fifties, one with no pain relief at all and the other with 2 paracetamol beforehand. They were both uncomfortable but perfectly bearable, drove myself home both times and had slight bleeding and cramping for a couple of days afterwards.

I wonder if this depends on how 'normal' your anatomy is? I have a tilted uterus & cervix which has caused problems with various procedures - never had a hysteroscopy and hope I never will!

Hope yours has reassuring results, OP, whichever route you choose.

Hi op. I had it with GA as my gynae won't do the when you're awake.

I was on the ceiling with post procedure pain for a week.

I would never attempt it without GA