Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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 experience

42 replies

Jennifer89 · 02/06/2023 13:35

So for a bit of background I have been ttc for 7 months and ever since coming off pill in 2020 I had issue with very heavy periods for first 1-3 days in particular it has always caused discomfort.

I had an ultrasound scan in 2020 and doctor said found small fibroid but didn't believe this was effect my period or ttc in future. Now fast forward to 2023 and I still felt something was not right with my period and as started ttc September I wanted to check again if the fibroid was a concern. I waited 4 plus months for nhs scan so went private. I was informed I have a submucosal fibroid which although small at 1.5cm it is in an awkward position inside uterine cavity which was most certainly effecting my period and would also cause difficulty conceiving.
I am now going down route of process to pay privately to have fibroid removed so resolved asap. I definitely think if can afford it go private for any 2nd opinion. I am glad I did that and have some answers now.

Have any of you ladies had a hysteroscopy? What was the recovery like? Was there much bleeding/soreness?
I will be going under genereal anaesthetic for the operation.

OP posts:
Coronationstation · 02/06/2023 15:06

yes, i also went privately because of the waiting list (but had medical cover from work) and had it done under GA. The recovery was absolutely fine, it's a very short procedure, I don't think i was away from my hospital room for any more than an hour. I walked and got the bus home at the end of the day and went out for lunch the next day although I took it off work. They sent me home with a bucket load of painkillers but I never needed to take any of them. I think I felt worse because I was tired from travelling for work the days beforehand, had a pretty stressful couple of days and barely slept the night before. I was at the end of my period when I had it done and didn't really get any additional bleeding beyond that.

Original poster
Jennifer89 · 02/06/2023 17:47

@Coronationstation that sounds like went well with minimal recovery time.
Fingers crossed will be fine for me too. Sounds like I may need the day of the operation off and day after off just in case..

OP posts:
Original poster
Jennifer89 · 02/06/2023 17:52

@Coronationstation just curious I am due to have consultation soon and have referral from doctor for the scan done already. Did you have follow up appointments e.g. another scan or blood tests before the operation?

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 02/06/2023 17:59

Mine was absolutely fine. No pain at all and was fine at work the next day. I had fibroid removed.

Cakeorchocolate · 02/06/2023 18:00

Yes I had one under a GA in December.

A GA alone normally wipes me out for a couple of days feeling rubbish but the procedure was so short I actually felt fine within a couple of hours.
Up walking around normally with minimal abdominal pain.

Having it under a GA was a breeze for me.

I had mine on the NHS. I think it took around 8 months from the decision to do one. It would have been 2-6 weeks if I'd agreed to have it without a GA. Waiting for that seemed to add around a 6 month wait. My symptoms had resolved before I was even referred for the hysteroscopy though so it didn't matter to me. And I don't regret waiting for a GA one bit!

As someone who has seen a few of these (I worked in surgery) I had no intention of going through it without a full anaesthetic!

Good luck. Hope it all goes well.

(Incidentally, after 7 yrs of secondary infertility, I was also pregnant within a couple of weeks of my hysteroscopy!)

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/06/2023 18:03

I've had 2 hysteroscopies. I didn't have a GA, both were fine. I was back at work within an hour of each.

freddiemercury · 02/06/2023 18:09

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/06/2023 18:03

I've had 2 hysteroscopies. I didn't have a GA, both were fine. I was back at work within an hour of each.

Exactly the same as me I had one yesterday, for investigative purposes so nothing removed bar biopsies. It was absolutely fine, no General Anaesthetic....didn't even take a paracetamol before hand and happily walked the 10 minutes home from the hospital. Had a bit of bleeding and cramping yesterday evening but no bleeding at all today, haven't even felt the need for a precautionary pad.

Original poster
Jennifer89 · 02/06/2023 18:13

@Cakeorchocolate I have heard it is normal to feel tired afer GA. For me it's worth it in case I am in any pain without it.
Sounds promising! Glad you fell pregnant after the procedure 😊

OP posts:
WheelsUp · 02/06/2023 18:16

I had one with no GA. Went on the bus home afterwards but in all honesty could have driven.

Jumpingjellycats · 02/06/2023 18:18

I had one done privately at the beginning of march, i had a scan then consultation was just about history, set out the risks of the procedure etc, no blood work or further scans. My ultrasound indicated it was a 1cm polyp but ended up having a 4cm polyp removed, no pain, no real bleeding and felt fine almost immediately afterwards. Got pregnant first cycle after removal.

SirChenjins · 02/06/2023 18:19

GA here - best decision I ever made. I knew I was going to be having some biopsies taken so wasn’t prepared to ‘tolerate’ anything- had a fair bit of bleeding afterwards which was checked and deemed normal but nothing other than that. I was back on the ward before I knew eating a cheese sandwich and drinking a cup of tea that the lovely nurse brought me.

Original poster
Jennifer89 · 02/06/2023 18:32

@Jumpingjellycats great, thank you. hopefully not too long to conceive after the op for me too 😊. Other fertility blood tests fine and dh semen analysis apparently very good 😅.

OP posts:
Coronationstation · 02/06/2023 19:01

Should have clarified that I didn’t have my fibroids removed as part of the procedure, they were dealt with at a later date.

ChrisPPancake · 03/06/2023 10:35

I had one without anaesthetic. I would never make that choice again! In hindsight the fact there were posters all over the department saying "please ask, we're happy to knock you out" or words to that effect, and the fact the nurse asked at least twice if I was sure I didn't want one should have been a sign..

My urologist later described it as "fucking brutal" (exact words) and it was hard to disagree with her!

Felt like I had horrific period pains for a couple of days afterwards.

I'm post menopausal though so that could make a difference.

Lamelie · 03/06/2023 11:05

I’ve had three and drove myself there and back. Not fun but not agony either and the doctors were lovely- one male and then the next two female.

TragicMuse · 11/06/2023 20:11

I had one on Friday under GA. It was my second. The first time we tried with me being awake and that was just awful tbh. I was scrambling backwards up the bed begging them to stop. Turns out I apparently have a pinhole cervix!

Anyway, I ended up staying in overnight and am knackered. And amazed that some of you have been able to drive etc afterwards. I'm not ready for that, I feel shattered!

Sooverthemill · 19/08/2023 06:41

Can I revive this thread? Any experience of having a hysteroscopy at the Norfolk and Norwich?wondering if I can request a GA , I've been given an out patient appointment but I found the previous biopsies via TVUS incredibly painful

Sooverthemill · 19/08/2023 09:21

SirChenjins · 19/08/2023 08:17

They offer GA - don’t back down, if you want one https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/publication/download/outpatient-hysteroscopy-v6/

Yes I know they say it can be done but wanted to know actual lived experience of asking

ChrisPPancake · 19/08/2023 09:29

Not at that particular hospital @Sooverthemill but there's posters up all over our gynae department saying it's ok to ask for a general for any kind of gynae procedure. So definitely ask.

I was told yesterday that I need another hysteroscopy plus biopsy because ultrasound showed a ?polyp. Consultant wanted to do it there and then but clocked my horrified expression and offered a general. Now I'm having a smear and coil insertion at the same time while being blissfully unaware!

Sooverthemill · 19/08/2023 09:42

Thanks @ChrisPPancake . I think I will call them because I have to arrange alternative care for my bed bound daughter to go for any appointment and I don’t want to go, ask and have to come back a different day. I’ve already had a CT, a TV ultrasound and then a biopsy and now need a Hysteroscopy. All of which were really hard to sort out. I wish they’d just whip the whole bloody thing out! ( that’s a joke)

ChrisPPancake · 19/08/2023 10:53

Sooverthemill · 19/08/2023 09:42

Thanks @ChrisPPancake . I think I will call them because I have to arrange alternative care for my bed bound daughter to go for any appointment and I don’t want to go, ask and have to come back a different day. I’ve already had a CT, a TV ultrasound and then a biopsy and now need a Hysteroscopy. All of which were really hard to sort out. I wish they’d just whip the whole bloody thing out! ( that’s a joke)

Oh gosh that sounds really difficult for you Flowers

Definitely call. And actually I'd maybe say tell them you're having a general don't ask if you can. You might have to wait a bit longer though. Do you have someone to look after you and your daughter for the 24 hours after the anaesthetic?

Grapewrath · 19/08/2023 14:28

I had one for polyps and felt fine- minimal bleeding and pain

TragicMuse · 19/08/2023 19:20

Sooverthemill · 19/08/2023 06:41

Can I revive this thread? Any experience of having a hysteroscopy at the Norfolk and Norwich?wondering if I can request a GA , I've been given an out patient appointment but I found the previous biopsies via TVUS incredibly painful

Mine was at the N&N, you can request it and they should accommodate your request.

Original poster
Jennifer89 · 11/09/2023 23:32

@Sooverthemill I would definitely ask for GA. From what I heae diagnostic hysteroscopies are not so bad but if they are removing polyps, fibroids or anything this can be painful. I woke up feeling very sore so can imagine I would have been in pain with no GA

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread