Has anyone had a hysteroscopy without general anaesthetic?

[Lilxa89]

Has anyone had a hysteroscopy without GA?
Was put on 2 week pathway after having lost pf issues for months and then ultrasound showed what looked like a polyp. (Mum and sister both had same issues and ended up with hysterectomy in 30s) i wasn't offered sedation etc just told to take pain relief before arriving. Am due this today and have read horror stories so now my anxiety is through the roof and head goes into over drive worrying about what if I pass out, what if I get an infection etc etc ahhh

we do suggest spinals fairly regularly…from experience most women refuse it even when it’s the safer option. Have pretty much given up suggesting it unless there’s a real contraindication to a GA.

there are fairly good reasons that sedation isn’t always the best idea for hysteroscopies (relating mainly to awareness/capacity/consent during a genital procedure). Sedation also isn’t always lower risk than a GA or spinal injection.

I had one with nothing in the 90s. It was no cake walk but bearable. Nurse held my hand. Male gynae was lovely.

That’s interesting. I wonder why. From talking about my own experiences about it in other health groups (I have complex health issues so I’m in a few) it always seems people aren’t even aware it’s a thing or if they are, they don’t understand what it actually involves.

I've had two - the second with fibroid removal. Both times they gave me a hearty dose of local anaesthetic to the cervix and it was painless (and it sorted out my awful periods so a very positive experience).

UPDATE
Hi all, thanks so much for messages. I had it done yesterday no GA no local etc jusy took some paracetamol beforehand and wasn't comfortable but no way near as bad as I thiught it would be. Hated the cramps and was nearly a point I stopped but I managed to carry on. Was more the after part I felt bit sick and shakey but been ok.she managed tp remove polyps but had to go in 3 times as was being stubborn haha. May I ask how long you all waited for results after having polyps removed?

Yes, mine was fine. I had a female nurse/technician doing it, who had obviously been doing that job for years so was looking out for any signs of discomfort and would stop if necessary.

Sorry, should have read the thread, glad you were OK OP

I had one without any pain relief during covid ( on the 2 week wait pathway). Was very painful and I shook throughout. I thought it was brutal to do it without any kind of anaesthetic . However, I do find smears very painful so it may be me.

I had a one last year with no GA or sedation. It tool paracetamol and ibuprofen 30 minutes before my appointment.
It not painful, just uncomfortable from the pressure because they fill you uterus with saline so they see what’s on the camera.
Min was for post menopausal bleeding and nothing untoward was seen.
Wising you all the best.

Generally if you've given birth it's ok, say some people, but it's not a definite rule, some people who haven't were fine, and some people who have 2 kids had problems. Nowhere near like childbirth pain, IMO.

A gynae said to me he would advise any female friends to have GA.

I was told mine was a polyp and it was actually a fibroid. Kind of wish I'd had a hysterectomy rather than faffing with the other operations, but if you want to get pregnant obviously that's different and they should tell you all your options.

I had one, and it was completely fine - which was weird, because I later found having a coil fitted hellish. I guess unfortunately there is probably no way of telling which way it might go.

I had one and it was horrendous. No pain relief, wasn’t even advised to take any beforehand. However the pain might’ve been because I had bilateral tubal blockages. I just remember feeling like I was going to explode.

I didn’t even know you could have it under GA. Can’t remember being offered it - or even being offered sedation although I wish I had been sedated!

I just room painkillers as instructed beforehand.

It’s not pleasant but it was fine.

I did and it was horrendous. I was on my period as well.

I had one years ago with a GA. But it was private. The consultant asked me how stoic I was and I said "not very" and he booked me in for a GA.

I don't know if I was a wimp, but I also think it makes it easier for them to do their jobs properly. I had a sedative for a colonoscopy so wonder if they could give you a sedative for this too and avoid a GA which is a lot more of a faff. Is there a reason women can't just have the same sort of sedative for a hysteroscopy?

I wasn't anxious about mine either, I knew I had a polyp and I also had what they used to call a cervical erosion so both were treated.

Can't remember how long I waited for the results, I went for a follow-up and the doctor said the polyp was benign but I can't remember if I knew beforehand. Might be in the NHS app these days.

But they do it routinely for a colonoscopy.

Glad it went ok, my results took about 3 weeks

No, if it wasn’t for reading similar threads to this before I had my first one I wouldn’t have entertained a GA - it wasn’t really mentioned as an option and I didn’t want to make a fuss (classic!). Reading how common it was on here gave me the confidence to stop the polyp removal when I got too much and ask for a GA.