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Original poster

Any reassuring experiences of having a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic?

107 replies

pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 22:32

Following on from another thread, are there any less frightening experiences with hysteroscopy? I'm having one under GA soon.

OP posts:
EasterDecoration · 03/04/2026 22:35

Well you go to sleep and wake up and it's done. But I was absolutely wiped out for a few days by the GA. I had a uterine biopsy without it last year and that was fairly painless so I now wonder if I actually needed the GA previously.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 22:36

EasterDecoration · 03/04/2026 22:35

Well you go to sleep and wake up and it's done. But I was absolutely wiped out for a few days by the GA. I had a uterine biopsy without it last year and that was fairly painless so I now wonder if I actually needed the GA previously.

Thank you. The survey thread going on is a bit freaky. This makes me feel much better.

OP posts:
Contraryjane · 03/04/2026 22:37

I’m an anaesthetist. You are not wiped out for a few days by a GA. Don’t blame the GA.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Women's health
1990s · 03/04/2026 22:37

Mine was absolutely 100% fine. Had it for scar adhesions. Didn’t even feel groggy after anaesthetic, and knowing there would be no pain was completely worth it.

StacieBenson · 03/04/2026 22:39

I've had a hysteroscopy and biopsy under GA. I wanted heavy sedation but my consultant refused to do it without a GA. I was absolutely fine. My only side effect was that I felt nauseous for a few hours afterwards. Otherwise it was a very easy procedure and recovery. Similar to others I went for a walk and coffee the next day. Would recommend the GA over the more traumatic experiences I've head about.

Busydoingsomething · 03/04/2026 22:39

I had this done last year. I was well enough after to insist that DH drove through Costa on the way home. I did take the following day off work because I wasn’t sure that I should drive but did make it out for a walk and a coffee. Sensing a theme there…

WhereAreWeNow · 03/04/2026 22:40

I had this last year. It was totally fine. I was really scared about the GA but it was fine. You're not under for long so it's a small dose of anaesthetic.
I was a bit achy when I woke up and I was bleeding but I was up and about and able to get home by bus soon after (you're not meant to get public transport but I didn't read that bit of the discharge note until I got home!).

Loopylou555 · 03/04/2026 22:40

Mine was fine. Went to sleep,.woke up after it was done. Was a bit out of it for a few hours afterwards and I can see why I was advised not to be alone for 24 hours afterwards as I was definitely a bit groggy. However,.was fine after 24 hours and no ill effects long term at all.

Mine was after a failed attempt without GA which was painful and the consultant couldn't get the right angle, I would definitely recommend GA if needed.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 22:42

Thank you all. I'm feeling better already. The survey thread was a bit frightening. It seems like GA should maybe be routine for this procedure.

OP posts:
Theverylasttwo · 03/04/2026 22:43

I have had a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and a hysteroscopy and biopsy without any pain relief and found the HSG to be much worse. I don't recognise the accounts of the women who have clearly had brutal experience following their hysteroscopy. It certainly wasn't pleasant but I only found it uncomfortable rather than painful. I hadn't known I would need one so wasn't prepared. I was advised to take paracetamol afterwards.

If you are having your hysteroscopy performed under a GA I would be surprised if it caused you any problems.

SirChenjins · 03/04/2026 22:47

Best thing I ever did. Was in and out, and back on the ward having tea and sandwiches before I knew it. I bled more than I was expecting after they did a biopsy and I was a bit tired when I got home so had a nap. Back to complete normal the next day. Can highly recommend it 😊

BlueRidgeMountain · 03/04/2026 22:48

I had one without GA; just local anaesthetic for the biopsies. The procedure was absolutely fine, and the staff fantastic. One of the nurses said that if I’d even shown a hint of struggling with it she’d make sure the dr stopped immediately - I certainly wouldn’t want to argue with her! They talked me through the whole process, kept checking I was ok and even showed me what was on screen. I just felt very bloated after, and had some bleeding for a couple of days.

ShanghaiDiva · 03/04/2026 22:48

Had mine under GA - felt absolutely fine afterwards.

AClassicTrenchcoat · 03/04/2026 22:49

It was an easy thing for me. Knocked out, woke up, had no ill effects from the GA or the procedure

PatsFishTank · 03/04/2026 22:51

I had one and was absolutely fine afterwards. I'm really glad I pushed for the GA.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 22:52

So many responses so fast. Obviously it's very common and there's a lot of better experiences out there.

OP posts:
AllIwantedwasanMOT · 03/04/2026 23:00

Mine was fine too! Only minor issue I had was that I was very tearful when I woke up. Not sad, just crying uncontrollably, very odd. It didn't last long and the nurses were lovely about it (it's an uncommon but not unheard of side effect of GA). The recovery was fine, I had a lovely day at home reading my book.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 23:02

Contraryjane · 03/04/2026 22:37

I’m an anaesthetist. You are not wiped out for a few days by a GA. Don’t blame the GA.

Are you able to tell me if it's likely to be the same kind of GA I had for colonoscopy? I felt so chill after that. It was great.

OP posts:
massinsaln · 03/04/2026 23:02

I've had long egg collections without GA. That was around 60 insertions/aspirations of the 14-inch needle, so I can't imagine hysteroscopy will pose any issue. I'm a SA survivor and have endo, and a little relaxer and diclofenac stopped the severe uterine cramping.

What's their reasoning for a GA? I hate being intubated and wouldn't do it for a quick procedure. They're done routinely in clinic without any sedation. I'm hoping to have mine with midazolam or conscious sedation.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 23:03

AllIwantedwasanMOT · 03/04/2026 23:00

Mine was fine too! Only minor issue I had was that I was very tearful when I woke up. Not sad, just crying uncontrollably, very odd. It didn't last long and the nurses were lovely about it (it's an uncommon but not unheard of side effect of GA). The recovery was fine, I had a lovely day at home reading my book.

I've had a colonoscopy and felt great with the GA, but did have an emotional moment after. I have heard that can be a side effect too.

OP posts:
Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 23:04

massinsaln · 03/04/2026 23:02

I've had long egg collections without GA. That was around 60 insertions/aspirations of the 14-inch needle, so I can't imagine hysteroscopy will pose any issue. I'm a SA survivor and have endo, and a little relaxer and diclofenac stopped the severe uterine cramping.

What's their reasoning for a GA? I hate being intubated and wouldn't do it for a quick procedure. They're done routinely in clinic without any sedation. I'm hoping to have mine with midazolam or conscious sedation.

I'm not sure I'll be intubated since it's a quick procedure. I think the GA is standard for my gyn. I'm also having a 'clean out' while under, so that might be part of it.

OP posts:
HumerousHumous · 03/04/2026 23:14

What's their reasoning for a GA? I hate being intubated and wouldn't do it for a quick procedure.

You are able to request, and receive, an hysteroscopy under GA on the NHS.

For a lot of women, like me, they are very VERY painful. I don’t even have smear tests now. That women were previously even expected to tolerate this without effective pain relief is criminal. Local doesn’t work for a lot hence GA is an option. I’m glad there is choice and it’s patient choice now not reasoning on the part of doctors.

Op, it was all ok for me, quite quick and I believe you are only under for a short while. Hope it all goes ok for you.

Edited to add - cross post - that I see from your last post that you are having something else in addition to the hysteroscopy. It’s important to note regardless that you can choose the option of a GA for this.

Original poster
pikachu11 · 03/04/2026 23:17

I wasn't given an option, just told it would be under GA. I assumed there is a reason for that, so am happy with that. Especially after reading that other thread!

OP posts:
TheGreenBow · 03/04/2026 23:25

I have severe endometriosis and also adenomyosis and wasn’t given the option of a GA and didn’t want one (I don’t like not being in control so it’s more that than a bravery thing). I took two paracetamol beforehand. Had biopsies taken and it was all ok in terms of pain level - not the most fun experience but not that bad either. Sounds like it varies as I had read stuff too and was very worried about whether I’d manage.

Sounds like you’re happy with the GA which is great - if worried about afterwards, my own experience was that I bled a bit for a week. Had no pain though after the procedure.

OhFuckyNell · 03/04/2026 23:29

I was fine as well but boy did I milk it for 48 hours after 😂