Emotional aftermath of hysteroscopy

[SkylarkKitten]

I needed a hysteroscopy today. Despite having a usually high pain threshold, I know from past experience that, due to having a retroverted uterus, anything inserted into my cervix is painful

The male doctor dismissed my wanting a pain injection and rushed me through. The pain was unbearable for me, and despite my referral stating I should have biopsies, I told him to stop. He said everything looked normal anyway so said they weren't needed.

I feel totally violated and can't shake the feeling. My needs weren't listened to. When I was crying with pain, the nurse asked if I wanted a stress ball. The whole thing felt undignified and degrading

However, I cannot pinpoint exactly what's made me feel this way. It wasn't just the doctor, it was his whole team. I've had smears, scans and internals before, but never felt this way afterwards. How could I even complain without being able to say eloquently what I feel they did wrong.

Why is it, every other investigative procedure - colonoscopy, cystoscopy, endoscopy etc - you get proper pain relief. But when you have a camera into your cervix you just get a paracetamol and told to deal with it

I've felt like crying all evening. Even the way they discussed my past miscarriages was so dismissive.

I hate being a woman, and having a lifetime of gynae pain and issues constantly dismissed. Even my endometriosis was dismissed as period pain for over 20 years. Why should we always bear any pain in silence or made to feel like drama queens?

I need a hug :(

I'm not surprised you feel violated. You were vulnerable, physically trapped in a degrading position, and completely disempowered, while people hurt you inside your sexual organs for their purposes and ignored your requests to stop.

We know that their purpose was ultimately to help you, but your body and your most primitive, self-protective emotions do not. And there is absolutely no reason why your feelings should be over-ridden.

Sending you (((hugs))).

what a horrendous experience, I feel angry reading this. We are let down where our health is concerned. I’ve been told I need one within next fortnight and first thing I said was I want knocking out or sedating. It’s awful how women are made to feel guilty when experiencing painful medical procedure.. whilst googling tonight I came across HysteroscopyAction, may be helpful to you.

wishing you a speedy recovery, hoping the emotional and mental pain is soon bearable ❤️

Hi was given one and no pain relief at all despite asking and being repeatedly told it would not be painful. It was awful. Then they lost or damaged the samples and said they wanted to repeat it. I rang up and said not if I’m awake as they had lied to me last time and the pain was unbearable. They were really shitty with me and told me to take paracetamol. I declined to have it repeated. Women need to stand together and use their voice to stop this appalling treatment of women that goes on throughout every area of the medical profession.

Do complain.
I had to have a hysteroscopy and said I'd prefer GA but thought I'd see what sedation etc. was offered at the day clinic. I have never had children & am 54. On arrival the nurse asked if I had taken paracetamol (I had) and if I'd had breakfast. I said no and she was trying very hard to get me to eat some biscuits. When pressed as to why, it was 'Well the procedure makes some people throw up so it's better if you have something in your stomach". I asked why on earth is anyone put through something so painful it makes them vomit, she then kept telling me there was no need to be 'so anxious'.

I then saw the gynae who took one look at my records and immediately said 'ah, yes, it's better you come in and have a GA next week'. Back out in the waiting room, the nurse looked really annoyed and said 'well sometimes it has to be GA for people with extreme anxiety, like you'. Fuck off, Nurse Rached.

I sometimes wonder if it depends on the technique of who does it. Bedside manner also make a huge difference.

I am so sorry op, please complain as it needs to change. (Virtual hug). No way would they put a man through this kind of lack of care.

I had one recently and was offered it under general anaesthetic as a matter of course. I wonder if it's dependant on the NHS trust.

Forgot to say as well they don't correspond it with cycles, and when the cervix is softer. I understand they are busy, but my friend had to go back 3 times as her cervix was too hard for them to get a viable sample. In the end she was left traumatised, and I am sure this cost the NHS so much more. She had actually asked them to line it up when her cervix was softer for the third attempt, and bingo no issues. I suspect there would have been a fourth failed attempt otherwise. It really isn't good enough.

I had no idea what to expect with mine and it was a horrendous experience.

Mine was to remove a coil that no-one else could get out. The last consultant at the clinic who tried said as I had dealt with her rummaging around so well she thought I would be ok with a local anaesthetic.

I turned up - had not taken any other painkillers as did not realise the local would only numb the cervix and so I would feel everythiing else as it was happening.

Normally when you go for a smear or an internal scan it is calm, dimmed lights etc but this was in the OR and huge bright alien ship lights above, legs strapped in, about 7 people milling around. Didnt help that the machine broke halfway through so I had to wait for them to go get another one and set it up etc.

I also was not told that I would not be allowed to drive myself home, DH car was in the garage so I had to wait for him to find someone to give him a lift, and drive the 45 min to the hospital to pick me and my car up.

I think because I was just not made aware of so many aspects of it, it felt very out of my control and vunerable.

I remember having some gynae issues in the distant past and was referred for an outpatient appointment. On that day, without warning they performed a hysteroscopy in the clinic. The nurse suddenly held my hand which seemed a bit odd. In hindsight I realised it was because she knew what was coming. I have a high pain threshold but it was really horrible. I remember the nurse telling me I was really brave. 🙄
I left the clinic thinking 'what the hell just happened to me in there?'. It didn't feel right. But. I kind of shrugged it off thinking this is just part of being a woman and what we have to go through.
I now realise that's total 💩
It's because they completely disregard our pain. Our discomfort. And when that happens if feels more like an assault than a 'procedure'.

It's feckin' misogyny.

I'm so very sorry this happened to you. Hope you feel better soon. 💐

Not a chance on this earth would I have one without a GA.

I used to have no problems with internal examinations but after a GP completely botched my coil insertion I don't trust any HCPs not to cause me pain anymore!!! This GP shoved the coil through the wall of my uterus resulting in me passing out and then requiring x-rays, internal scans and an MRI before finally having it removed from my abdomen under GA.

Ever since then I cannot relax for smears so they are agony so I don't have them anymore. I will never again have a procedure that involves a speculum without a GA.

@SkylarkKitten I saw some data for my local NHS trust that said there was a failure rate of 30% for Hysteroscopy procedures. That’s high and I am sure that is because many women cannot tolerate it and it is abandoned rather than failed (which may mean the same thing but doesn’t quite explain what is happening to that 30%). There is a whole movement regarding this matter which is focussed on ensuring clear information and choice, and most importantly, an attitude change (for some). I know people who have had a Hysteroscopy and describe it as uncomfortable but doable. When I was due for one, I went by my experience of an attempted Mirena fitting which had to be abandoned due to extreme pain and opted for a GA. I also went by two female friends, one who happens to be gynaecologist and the other a GP who would both opt for GA.

Of course, no medic can tell you precisely how it will be for you but what they shouldn’t be doing is dismissing, railroading and diminishing your pain. I think female pain is often dismissed but I think painful procedures are often not explained well for men too. My DH, a doctor, had to have a prostate procedure and said it was excruciating and men were coming out of the procedure white as a sheet, fainting and one in tears. The potential pain was not well described at all, very minimised.

I don’t blame you for feeling as you do. You should complain because, if nothing else, they need a reminder of how they should be treating women in this most vulnerable of situations, even if they are under immense pressure to get procedures done.

https://www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk/

I’ve just realised this is an old thread. Still sadly relevant all the same.

Yes I realised the same but like you say, still wholly relevant and it is important to keep talking about it. Women are dismissed by the medical profession far too frequently.

I had one done in another country and told them how It’s done here. The doctor was horrified and said it’s barbaric to do it without anaesthetic. Can’t believe how so many procedures are done here without proper patient care for pain.
I have done everything Private here, including my kids birth.