Hysteroscopy: has anyone had this procedure?

[olderwhynotwiser]

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.

:) Jamie

I had mine done at the end of September. I was offered local or general and I opted for the general as I always find smear tests and coil insertions very painful. In the end due to Covid they did it with a spinal which was pain free and meant I could see what was going on. Did however mean I couldn’t walk for four hours afterwards and as they did it so late in the day I ended up staying overnight in the hospital. Luckily I had taken stuff in just in case I had to stay.

Glad it went so well. There is a big range of experience here, shows that it is often worth trying without GA.

Yes Busy, our internal architecture must vary a lot, mustn’t it. Whether we’ve had vaginal deliveries etc, other recent procedures, etc. And the skill of the doctor too.

Glad the hysteroscopy went well oneglassandpuzzled. I have a transvaginal scope this Monday and I am booked in for an out patient Hysteroscopy for a week on Wednesday. I have no idea why I am booked in for the hysteroscopy before they know what the results of the Monday scope will be and this is making me a bit anxious. I think I am going to tell them on Monday that I want a GA for the hysteroscopy. I am 68 so long past the menopause so quite likely that my cervix is tightly closed. Think I would end up stopping the procedure under local ann. and that would just mean having the procedure twice. Thanks to everybody for their thoughts.

They seemed very open to women choosing GA shining and I think you should tell them this. In your situation I think I’d do the same thing.

I hope all goes well!

I’ve had two. The first one was quick and painless. The second I was hanging upside down in the chair screaming in pain while she tootled about, because she said my cervix was too high and was closed. This was my fault because I am fat.

Both times for a biopsy. The second time I was supposed to have a Mirena coil fitted. The doctor said on my notes that I refused to have one fitted. I didn’t refuse, she said she wouldn’t do it because I was in too much “discomfort.”

That woman is not going anywhere near my minge ever again.

Oh and the first time there was minimal bleeding, like a little bit for a couple of hours. The second time I bled a lot, for two or three days.

Glad they are open to choosing GA oneglass. Hope it's the same at my hospital.

I had one about six weeks ago, under GA. was is quite a bit of pain for about a week after (like bad period pain) and was bloated/swollen/with light bleeding. I took codine to help with the pain and just took it easy. You will be fine, you just need to take it easy for a few days x

Well if was in a film it would be comical, I can’t even tolerate a small speculum these days got an appointment no date yet for an out patient one how this will go will be very interesting my last one was done under ga, who ever dictated the letter hasn’t read my notes. Inverted womb

I also have an appointment date ...week on wednesday ...for an outpatient one Holothane but I am requesting it done under GA even if I have to wait. I have an appointment for a transvaginal scan tomorrow and I am nervous enough about that. I know I would end up stopping an out patient Hysteroscopy and having to have it done all again which is far more time wasting for the NHS than going for the GA in the first place. I don't know why I am booked in for a Hysteroscopy at the moment because, as I haven't had the scan yet, how do they know I need one? I will be asking this tomorrow and also rearranging the Hysteroscopy to a GA one. Good luck with yours Holothane.

I think I may have to have one soon and I am dreading it.
I couldn't even have a coil fitted by the doctor as it was so painful.
I've had two DC but by c-section. I also had cervical sutures in place for both of them after LLETZ.
Basically my cervix has never dilated, it is high, tilted and scarred to buggery. Tell this to a doctor however and they seem to view it as a personal challenge.
At the failed coil fitting she couldn't even get any anaesthetic in my cervix was so tight and closed.
How do you get them to take you seriously when you ask for pain relief or GA?

I will be asking for a GA for the hysteroscopy tomorrow when I go for the transvaginal scan waterjungle so I will know better after tomorrow how seriously they take me. I will come back and let you know. I have done some research because the info sheet from the hospital I will be attending doesn't even mention the option of GA. I have rang the gynea secretary to enquire and was told that they do GA. However the secretary seems to be instructed to try to put people off. I quoted the NHS site which says that GA should be available and that seemed to help.

They had difficulty doing my hysteroscopy as the cervix was closed. Thankfully I was under GA. Doctor did say it wouldn't have been pleasant and GA for me was totally the right thing.

I had one in my lunch break and went straight back to work. I got a slight period type pain when they passed tubes through my cervix but that was all. When they snipped some tissue for biopsy they warned it might hurt, but I never felt a thing.

The range of experiences for this procedure is quite something. I have recently had a colonoscopy with no trouble whatsoever but I am post menopausal by more than 20 years and the closed cervix which tortoiseshell experienced in more common in post menopausal women. Who knows whether I am one of the unfortunate ones or not? I am definitely not prepared to wait until mid procedure to find out

Shinningstar2 I will be saying ga for mine it is not open for discussion I’d be wasting people time unless they can guarantee propofol for a couple of minutes, or ketamine, I’m discussing this with female Gp, in a few weeks, appointment no date yet at hospital.

To be honest I don't recall having option just got told was on list for ga. I wasn't arguing

Well I hope that’s the same for me I’ve no problem with ga it will be my ninth.

I found it, whilst not exactly entertaining, (nice view of my uterus notwithstanding) it wasn’t awful. It pinched a bit but was over very quickly. No pain relief needed. Good luck!

@Craftycorvid

I found it, whilst not exactly entertaining, (nice view of my uterus notwithstanding) it wasn’t awful. It pinched a bit but was over very quickly. No pain relief needed. Good luck!

I found it oddly comforting to see the inside of my uterus. I'd worked myself up to a frenzy of anxiety that I was rotting from the inside prior to the procedure. It 100% put my mind at rest seeing my healthy insides on a screen.

I got a trip through my uterus as well. Was interesting to see and it all looked nice and pink and healthy.

Yes, it was instantly reassuring that the doctor could say it all looked fine and show me. It was quite moving as well - not a part of my body I’d ever imagined I’d get to see.

Oh goodness, I didn’t get anything like that. I’d already had a trans vaginal scan, the goal of the hysteroscopy was to get a sample of the uterine lining for testing.