Vaginal polyp - can I have a general anaesthetic? TMI

[releasethehounds]

I went to my GP recently as I have been getting light bleeding between periods, which I've never had before. I was also aware of a sensation of 'sitting on a bubble' every time I sat down. An internal examination revealed I have a vaginal (or on the cervix I'm not sure) polyp which is about the size of a two pence piece.

GP has refered me to have the polyp removed at hospital. Can anyone tell me if they have had this done, and if so, was it done under a GA? Normally I wouldn't mind a local anaesthetic but the examination I had at the GPs was very painful due to the polyp being in the way, as the nurse described it. The examination upset me a bit and I'm thinking of asking for the op to be done under a GA.

Anyone any experience of this please?

Anyone please?

Thanks Kerry. Do you happen to know the usual way they do this op? LA or GA? My GP seemed to think they would 'freeze' the area. However, a friend of mine has just had a small cyst removed from outside the vagina and she was given a GA!

BTW I meant to add I hope your OP went well in the end, although you were clearly unhappy to go ahead with the GA. Are you ok now?

release - they would usually give you a local anaethetic (like what you have at the dentist).

TBH it's a bit like having a smear, without the smear if that makes sense.

They will grasp the polyp with forceps, twist it and it will come away. Once the speculum is in, it usually takes about 1-2 mins to twist the polyp.

Hope this helps.

Had it done pre-IVF a few years ago. As said above it's like a smear. Just be aware that for 2 weeks afterwards, as my consultant memorably put it, "no boys, no toys, no tampax"! Good luck whatever route you go.

Thanks all - that's really useful info. partystress - did you find the procedure painful or does the LA completely numb the area?

I had one removed a few months ago and didn't feel a thing (no LA), but the polyp was tiny, probably only a few millimetres in diameter. As others have said, it feels like having a smear - the forceps were slightly uncomfortable but I didn't actually feel the polyp being removed.

I'm afraid the thought of forceps freaks me out a little - I shall have to discuss my options, if I have any, when I see the consultant.

Thanks everyone for the advice.