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Original poster

Tell me about your hysteroscopy

42 replies

DeedIDo · 02/11/2021 12:47

I'm due to have one in a couple of weeks to look for the cause of explained bleeding. Loads of stuff online suggests it is an ordeal and should really be done under sedation (like colonoscopy) or GA. Is that right, or is it actually OK for most people?

Have you had one? What was your experience?

Thanks

OP posts:
Gkcl2011 · 03/11/2021 00:26

I had one 2 years ago under GA my consultant said she wouldn't have done it on me awake. Bit crampy for a day or 2 and light bleeding but all was grand. Good luck op xx

smartiecake · 03/11/2021 06:01

I forgot to say I had a colonoscopy last year, and had light sedation for that. That was a much bigger deal than the hysteroscopy. The colonoscopy procedure lasted about 15/20 mins and was much more uncomfortable for much longer, so the sedation helped I guess although I felt totally awake during the procedure.
I had a small toilet and room to get partially dressed/undressed in for the hysteroscopy, and they had hospital bedsheets to wrap around myself for the few steps to the table so no paper towels, I was not exposed. The hysteroscopy procedure only lasted a few mins and they said they would stop at any point, and kept checking I was ok and it was fine for me with no sedation. I would definitely go for sedation if I needed another colonoscopy though, that was worse.

Porridgeislife · 03/11/2021 06:11

It depends a little on your anatomy. Mine is distorted and my cervix is retroflexed.

I’ve got a fantastic pain threshold but having a uterine biopsy recently was a worse experience than endometriosis surgery and recovering from sepsis from a pelvic infection combined. Others I know haven’t been bothered by the biopsy at all which is why I’m
still so surprised that I only barely coped.

Unfortunately you won’t know til you try, but do be quite vocal if the pain is unbearable as the temptation for many medics is to keep going if they’re nearly finished.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Women's health
Toddlerteaplease · 03/11/2021 06:38

My mum had one. She said it was ok.she didn't have any sedation or anything

Lanique · 03/11/2021 07:00

I had one a few weeks ago and it was absolutely fine. Bit crampy. Had a Mirena put in at the same time, that was probably the most uncomfortable part!

Was absolutely dreading it and like a pp nearly cancelled beforehand because of things I'd read online, but it was honestly fine and I'd do it again. I took two paracetamol an hour beforehand because my pain threshold isn't great.

72WayTooCool · 03/11/2021 07:06

I had one last year. They warned me beforehand that some women can't tolerate the pain but tbh that didn't really register with me and I didn't really consider that it might hurt. I just wanted it done and out of the way. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but the nurses were fantastic. My womb was full of polyps which they removed - couldn't feel that. The biopsy hurt, but was over in seconds. Afterwards I was a bit crampy, but by the next day I was fine.

Original poster
DeedIDo · 04/11/2021 10:30

Thanks everyone.

Still not sure what to do.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 04/11/2021 10:47

I had mine done privately under GA. it was never discussed as an option not to have a GA and it’s only since reading posts on here I’ve discovered it’s not standard. I went in as a day case, was first on the theatre list and was out in time for a late breakfast. Only stayed in most of the day as I was waiting for a follow up X-ray to confirm my mirena which they were going to remove and couldn’t find hadn’t gone elsewhere (now assumed to have bled itself some time previously). I had a nice relaxing day in bed watching daytime tv until I went home!

NotPersephone · 04/11/2021 10:52

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 04/11/2021 11:53

I had 2 under GA but I had to insist.

There is hystroscopy action online campaigning for them to be done with sedation/pain relief. Worth a look on there.

No way would I have one without anything. No man would have to endure that.

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 04/11/2021 11:55

@DrHildegardeLanstrom

I have been refused one under general as the consultant says it's not required. Even though I explained previous trauma leading to anxiety about such examinations. So I am not having it done. Well done consultant.
@DrHildegardeLanstrom

That's appalling. Can you complain to PALS? I'm sure that they aren't following established practice by only offering it with no GA.

Complain. Talk to hystrosopy action as well- they have lots of resources and info.

FindingMeno · 04/11/2021 11:56

I had one and managed fine despite having not being able to tolerate a coil fitting previously.
Try to be as relaxed as you can.

SirChenjins · 04/11/2021 12:06

@NeilBuchananisBanksy

I had 2 under GA but I had to insist.

There is hystroscopy action online campaigning for them to be done with sedation/pain relief. Worth a look on there.

No way would I have one without anything. No man would have to endure that.

I agree.

The first consultant I spoke to mumbled (literally) something about how I should be able to “tolerate” it as I’d had theee children. I’ve worked with enough Consultants to know that’s a euphemism for ‘this could be really painful but you’ll survive’ so I stood my ground with the second Consultant I saw -who was absolutely brilliant.

Sooverthemill · 04/11/2021 12:15

February/March 2020 I had two. I also had bleeding and I am in my 60s. I found it very uncomfortable, painful at times and felt unwell and in pain for a few days afterwards. The nurse clinician for the first was lovely kind and went slowly and explained everything. I had local anaesthetic.The second ( because my results weren't clear) was done by the Consultant Gynaecologist and used more anaesthesia than the first time. He had to remove multiple polyps and it was painful and I cried. Everyone was so kind ( this was now in lockdown) and the consultant told me there and then he was 99.9% certain it was benign ( and it was). I do have a tendency to faint and I did almost. I was in quite a lot of pain and took pain meds for a few days.

Everyone is different but if you assume that you will be in a bit of discomfort and take meds and rest afterwards I am sure you will be fine.

Also: I have had cancer and am very very used to scans etc and I wore a jersey midi dress with trainers and all I had to do was take off my knickers for the procedure ( done in a reclining chair with feet on stirrups). That made it easier.

Nospringchix · 04/11/2021 12:15

I had one without pain relief and was dreading it. It turned out not to be as bad as I thought, I didn't really feel much until the biopsy which was pretty painful but only lasted seconds. Coil fittings were a lot worse tbh. Felt cramps and dizzy afterwards but well enough to go straight home. Staff were very caring.

ursuslemonade · 04/11/2021 12:19

I've had mine under GA. This was my first general, was nervous before but if I need another done, it will be under GA as well.
I've had experience with sedation, had my deviated septum worked on while fully awake. Felt every single thing and it freaked me out. Fuck that.
You get varying experiences but no one can tell you for sure what it'll be like for you.

blindmansbluff · 04/11/2021 12:27

I had one done with no pain relief, it was absolutely fine mild period pain type cramps. The nurses were making me laugh throughout

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