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Original poster

Hysteroscopy

53 replies

Floydsturgess69 · 12/12/2022 13:13

Hi ladies - I’m due to have a hysteroscopy this Wednesday. I’m absolutely terrified. It’s hanging over me like a black Cloud. Im going to take some painkillers an hour. I’d appreciate any positive feedback and advice on how to make it easier for myself.
Thanks in advance xx

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 12/12/2022 17:16

It’s not too bad - I’ve had a couple as have had uterine polyps.,

KatieBenz · 12/12/2022 18:15

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I took 2 paracetamol and 2 aspirin an hour before hand. The initial ‘look around’ was slightly uncomfortable, but bearable. The doctor decided to remove a large poly there and then. I had a local in my cervix before they started that procedure. In all, it took 30 mins, but I think if there’s nothing to remove, it should be about 5- 10 minutes.
You can ask them to stop at anytime, it will then be done at a later date under a general. The nurses try and keep you occupied by talking about holidays, etc and you can watch the monitor to see what’s going on. I chose not to watch 😉

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 09:04

Thanks ladies. I think the waiting can be worse than anything. I just want it over with now. X

OP posts:
Blip · 13/12/2022 09:08

Good luck OP.
If you prefer to have this done under general anaesthetic you can opt for that instead, that's what I did. It's good to have choices.

SpringSparrow · 13/12/2022 09:27

I’ve had a couple of these, and for the second I opted to have it under general anaesthetic. The advantage of not having it under general is it’s a quicker appointment, but if I needed another I would opt for a general anaesthetic again. I took ibuprofen before the appointment and it didn’t really help. You can always go to the appointment and talk it over with the gynaecologist, and ask for a general anaesthetic if you feel that would be easier. There’s some information on this website.
www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk/due-to-have-a-hysteroscopy/

Occitane · 13/12/2022 10:02

I’ve had this but with a general anaesthetic. Felt fine afterwards, just a bit woozy from the general.

emmathedilemma · 13/12/2022 12:30

Also had mine under GA (it was never even discussed doing it without but i went privately) but I was absolutely fine afterwards. Some mild cramps but nothing as bad as period pains.

Pollywoddles · 13/12/2022 12:33

Had it under a GA. It was fine but I did bleed for a couple of weeks after.

Dontsayyouloveme · 13/12/2022 12:44

I’ve had two… the first one they took a biopsy, felt a small pinch, the second was no worse than a smear. Easy.

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2022 13:20

I found it very painful. Find something nearby you can grab onto!

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 13:49

Oh no 🙈

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 13:52

You don't have to have it without a GA or sedation - you are entitled to other options if you'd rather. I had mine plus a biopsy under GA - I was back on the ward before I knew it having a sandwich and a cup of tea, and back at home that day. Easy peasy.

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2022 13:56

Sorry @Floydsturgess69 but I wish I had known beforehand as I wasn't prepared for how painful it was.

Inkythemouse · 13/12/2022 13:59

I had one earlier in the year. It was no where near as bad as I expected. I was in and out quite quickly the nurses were fab and talked through everything. I found the waiting room was the worse bit. Good luck

Dancingfairydreams · 13/12/2022 14:14

I'm having one ealy jam @Floydsturgess69 so this thread is really useful!

I'm hoping it won't be too bad! I think things like this sometimes depend on who does them, I've had smears that have been really painful & then ones where not felt a thing...hoping this procedure will be like the latter!

I hope all goes well for you tomorrow

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 14:27

Thank you so much xx

OP posts:
neverundersold · 13/12/2022 14:42

I had one six weeks ago and worried myself sick about it but in reality I found it less uncomfortable than a smear. I took paracetamol one hour before, as recommended. The team talked me through the procedure and explained we could stop at any point if I felt any discomfort. I was much relived to find that no speculum was needed for this procedure. The nurse examined me first and then introduced the camera, they also use water during the procedure to widen the view, I was warned that I may feel a bit of dripping as what goes in must come out ! I really didn't feel anything apart from some very mild cramping. It was over in minutes and they gave me the result straight away. They ask you to wait for half an hour afterwards with a cup of tea and a biscuit and then you are free to carry on with your day. I bled from day two after the procedure for about a week but had no further cramping. Best of luck, I hope you have a good experience and result.

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 15:23

neverundersold · 13/12/2022 14:42

I had one six weeks ago and worried myself sick about it but in reality I found it less uncomfortable than a smear. I took paracetamol one hour before, as recommended. The team talked me through the procedure and explained we could stop at any point if I felt any discomfort. I was much relived to find that no speculum was needed for this procedure. The nurse examined me first and then introduced the camera, they also use water during the procedure to widen the view, I was warned that I may feel a bit of dripping as what goes in must come out ! I really didn't feel anything apart from some very mild cramping. It was over in minutes and they gave me the result straight away. They ask you to wait for half an hour afterwards with a cup of tea and a biscuit and then you are free to carry on with your day. I bled from day two after the procedure for about a week but had no further cramping. Best of luck, I hope you have a good experience and result.

Thank you Neverundersold you’ve made me a bit better xx

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 13/12/2022 17:04

To add, they couldn’t take the polyp out there& then as was too big so had to go back and had a local for that - once it had taken I didn’t really feel much.

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 19:29

Thanks ladies. I’m just a bit worried because I’ve got scar tissue so it could make it more painful and difficult. I’ll take my painkillers an hour before.
I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. 😱

OP posts:
LisaLovedUp · 13/12/2022 19:40

I have had it and it was fine. I had the option of nothing (which I chose, a local or reschedule with a GA (which I wanted to avoid at all costs because of the fasting beforehand, the travel - public transport - train, and the recovery time.)

I did feel a nip with the biopsy but I'd had a biopsy anyway on its own a few months earlier.

I agree a lot depends on the skill of the dr. Mine took about 30mins as my cervix decided to stay shut, but the gynae is an expert and managed to find a way through. It wasn't painful- honestly.

Since I had mine they have started to use a new technique with no speculum, so that must make it more comfortable. The scope is tiny- about 3mm across.

SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 19:48

I hope it all goes well for and remember you can stop it any time you want if it’s too sore and reschedule with sedation or a GA.

Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 20:16

LisaLovedUp · 13/12/2022 19:40

I have had it and it was fine. I had the option of nothing (which I chose, a local or reschedule with a GA (which I wanted to avoid at all costs because of the fasting beforehand, the travel - public transport - train, and the recovery time.)

I did feel a nip with the biopsy but I'd had a biopsy anyway on its own a few months earlier.

I agree a lot depends on the skill of the dr. Mine took about 30mins as my cervix decided to stay shut, but the gynae is an expert and managed to find a way through. It wasn't painful- honestly.

Since I had mine they have started to use a new technique with no speculum, so that must make it more comfortable. The scope is tiny- about 3mm across.

Thank you lisalovedup. This is what I needed to hear xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Floydsturgess69 · 13/12/2022 20:16

SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 19:48

I hope it all goes well for and remember you can stop it any time you want if it’s too sore and reschedule with sedation or a GA.

Thanks xxx

OP posts:
Abra1t · 13/12/2022 20:19

I’ve had five and don’t find them too bad. I take ibuprofen and paracetamol before and try to just relax as much as I can to let them get on with it as quickly as possibly.