Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Hysteroscopy: has anyone had this procedure?

76 replies

olderwhynotwiser · 30/10/2020 18:42

I am due to have a hysteroscopy and, needless to say, I am not exactly looking forward to this procedure. The letter sent from my local nhs hospital talks of 'pain and discomfort'. Localised pain killer injection into the cervix. I am assured that 'the procedure can be stopped at any time'. Please can anyone tell me of their experiences of this procedure? Please don't sugar coat it if it wasn't very pleasant. I would much rather hear the truth so I can be prepared. Thank you.

OP posts:
HoxtonBonnet · 30/10/2020 18:50

I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy just before lock down. I was not given any kind of anaesthetic. It was very quick - not pleasant but so quick it was manageable - literally a matter of about a minute. I felt dizzy and nauseous for about 5-10 minutes after, but the dr and nurses were great and I was able to sit in a quiet area and wait it out before I went home.

Everything came back clear Smile

HoxtonBonnet · 30/10/2020 18:51

Ps I'm not sure if it is normal for it to be so quick - it might be down to individual cases. Hopefully others will be along to share their experiences!

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 30/10/2020 18:51

I’m exactly the same as the previous poster. I had it done no pain relief at all plus biopsy - to be honest it was about the same pain level as a smear. I didn’t even feel woozy afterwards. Please don’t panic they take it very slowly and give you lots of opportunities to shout up and stop things if you need to.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 30/10/2020 18:53

I didn’t have a local anaesthetic or anything in fact they didn’t even offer it me one, but actually I didn’t need it. There was no pain with the biopsy but I could feel them doing it but it literally took a second or 2 to do the biopsy. It’s quite interesting when they put the camera up to see the inside of your womb. If you like that sort of thing!!

JinglingHellsBells · 30/10/2020 19:01

I had nothing and it was fine. I had it done privately and the options were
1 nothing
2 local
3 full GA is either of the above didn't work.

I was okay and it didn't hurt but my gynae is very experienced- one of the best in the UK- and I had known him a long time so was quite relaxed in his hands.

I got a train home afterwards.

Franberry · 30/10/2020 19:15

Its good to hear most people had no issues, however, you did ask for all experiences. I have had the procedure and to be honest it wasn't great, quite painful for a brief time, but I think that was a combination of my anatomy and an inexperienced (and quite unpleasant) doctor carrying it out. I have pain with any procedure like this including smear tests. I would say that if this isn't the case for you it will probably be only mild discomfort, and it was over within 5 minutes so even if it is unpleasant I imagine it probably won't last long. The nurses who were also there were very kind to me which made up for the doctor a little bit!

Standrewsschool · 30/10/2020 19:31

I’ve had it twice - under local and general anaesthetic.

I found the first one painful hence having the second one under a general. Afterwards, I felt like I walked like a cowboy. Ie. Bow legged.

ouchmyfeet · 30/10/2020 19:35

I had it under GA due to the size of the polyp they were removing. I wasn't sore afterwards

BarryTheChopper · 30/10/2020 19:35

I had one with no anaesthetic. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol an hour before and it was fine.

I’d heard it was painful so I was worried but it was like a slightly longer coil fitting. Not how you’d choose to spend your time but bearable. I watched the whole thing on screen which was a good distraction.

tortoiseshell1985 · 30/10/2020 19:52

Hysteroscopy, d& c, endometrial biopsy following up on finding of endometrial polyp on internal ultrasound
Done under general anaesthetic which was fortunate as in my case cervix was tightly closed and difficult access apparently this would not have been pleasant if I had been awake. Glad I wasn't
Anyway finding of polyp confirmed and no issues since, had been having mid cycle bleeding, irregular periods
It was done privately so getting a GA was not a problem

Busybusy1busy1 · 30/10/2020 20:04

I had it with no anaesthetic first, ( the nurse practitioner told me I did not have a choice and had to do this first, found out later this was not true) I found it unbearably painful and was almost climbing off bed when they went through my cervix and into the cavity. They said I had an adhesion ( from a caesarian) which was why it was painful. Then they said that as it would need a bigger instrument to snag the polyp I should have it under GA. I was shocked to see the instrument used is a rigid metal tube ( I had expected it to be flexible, was not suprised it was so painful once I saw what went in). Then I had to wait for the hysteroscopy under GA as a day case. It was straightforward and they got the polyp. After the op I felt very sick for about 6 hours ( so did everyone else on my ward who had same op) but little pain. Bled for about a week after.

tortoiseshell1985 · 30/10/2020 20:20

Funnily enough I felt ok in sense of no sickness. Some bleeding and a bit tender and sore which paracetamol sorted.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/10/2020 21:25

I literally didn’t feel a thing. When they took the huge polyp out I had ga but that was due to the size of the polyp.

Had no post op pain either.

Holothane · 30/10/2020 21:29

General for mine they had to do a smear as well found a polyp as well.

LizziesTwin · 30/10/2020 21:33

It was so painful when a gynaecologist tried to give me one that I started crying and she had to stop. I had 3 children without any pain relief and am normal weight & fit. I had one with an ablation under GA.

Hassled · 30/10/2020 21:33

I had gas and air and I have to say even with that it really really bloody hurt. I think I was in shock - the leaflet I'd been given just said something about taking some paracetamol before I arrived, and in my head I was thinking it would be along the lines of a smear test.

Having said that, it was fairly quick and the nurses were lovely. And nothing abnormal detected in the biopsy. I think if you go expecting the worst it will be easier to cope with.

Billericaydicky · 30/10/2020 21:34

I had it done with no pain relief, it is briefly painful but if I had it done again i still wouldn't want a general.

Cattenberg · 30/10/2020 21:40

I had one to check for a polyp and possibly have a biopsy. But I didn’t need a biopsy in the end, which is probably just as well as the doctor found it difficult to insert the scope.

I was scared beforehand, so asked if I could have gas and air. The staff clearly thought this was OTT, but they let me have it and it really helped. I was aware of some pain, but it didn’t hurt me, if that makes any sense.

Inkpaperstars · 30/10/2020 21:40

I've had it twice. First time under a general, I embarassed myself by checking with the nurse that they wouldn't misread the notes and do a hysterectomy. Was fine, only pain afterwards was shoulder pain from the gas they pumped in. Second time no anaesthetic, I think they gave me a mefenamic acid tablet to take beforehand. It wasn't too bad, basically like a smear but then with some period type pains during it. She did say she was struggling with me though and was about to give up at one point rather than proceed and cause more pain, so I think normally it wouldn't be even as bad as that. I was fine afterwards I think.

Inkpaperstars · 30/10/2020 21:42

Should add my one under GA was for polyp removal.

TheoriginalLEM · 30/10/2020 21:47

I had a coil fitted by hysteroscopy due to issues. I was very scared because the GP monumentally fucked up the first fitting and it took her 45 minutes of sheer agony.

I had mine done on nhs but in a private clinic. The consultant was lovely and very experienced. There was a very brief moment of pain but that was it and i was incredulous at how fast it was.

Original poster
olderwhynotwiser · 30/10/2020 22:08

Thanks everyone for these totally honest answers. Much better to mentally prepare if I've explored all eventualities. I suspected that the procedure could be painful, from the paperwork which came with the appointment. The mention of pain relief through an injection into the cervix, advising taking pain relief an hour before and saying the procedure can be stopped at any time were fairly clear signals. I am a bit of a wimp but will do the best I can. From the information that the procedure can be stopped at any time and from what others have posted, I imagine that if I really cannot cope I can have it done under GA. I suppose it's a cheaper procedure for NHS with less time and staff involved to get most people to have it without GA.

OP posts:
MiddlesexGirl · 30/10/2020 22:15

I had a polyp 'removal', hysteroscopy and biopsy all as day case under GA. Turned out polyp was already gone Hmm
A little discomfort afterwards, similar to a smear. Three months of raging hot flushes though.

BestIsWest · 30/10/2020 22:22

I had one last year, no anaesthetic. I was very very nervous but the staff were just fantastic. It was done by a nurse practitioner and they were all so kind and gentle. It was a little uncomfortable but much better than I thought it would be.

CaraDuneRedux · 30/10/2020 22:34

I had one (together with polyp removal). Gynae said "I can do it now, it will hurt but it will be quick, or you can come back and have it done under GA." I always react badly to GA so opted for there and then. Polyp removal was fine, hysteroscopy hurt like a bastard but was over quickly, and nothing paracetamol and a hot water bottle didn't fix.

For all it hurt like a bastard, I still think I made the right call re the GA (I always end up a vomiting mess for at least 12 hours after).