Hysteroscopy in UK or abroad?

[Sara237]

I'm conflicted; I need a hysteroscopy and have a date next month for an outpatient appt. They do it there and then and say just to take painkillers beforehand. I've already had 2 scans so know i need a polyp removed. I had a diagnostic hysteroscopy a decade ago before IVF and the consultant advised GA as it's an unpleasant procedure. I'm guessing now there's less money, they're wanting the cheapest option even if it is invasive and painful for many. I could get this done privately abroad next week but then it'd be yet more money as I'm already in the middle of fertility treatment awaiting FET. Do I try to endure the NHS appt and grit my teeth or go for the painless, IV sedation option, though means 2 days away at half term without my son and I'm honestly a bit nervous about going alone for the sedation part...I need to make my mind up asap!

I guess it depends on your tolerance to pain. I had a biospy for EMMA/ALICE and it was a pretty traumatising experience tbh. So much so that it's put me off doing any further testing. They recommended I do a hysteroscopy (with sedation) after my first failed euploid FET and even that one I declined whereas before the biopsy I was open to doing all the tests under the sun.
I don't want to scare you but for me they couldn't get the catheter into the cervix, they kept pushing and the pain was excruciating. I wanted to tell them to stop and probably should have. They tried 5 times, including removing the speculum, moving it around etc. I had no issues with the Dummy Embryo transfer or the FET itself although that one has a thinner catheter. Not sure how big it is for the hysteroscopy but I imagine since it has a camera attached to it that it's bigger than the one they use for transfer. Then removing the polyp surely must be painful as well unless it's takes 2 seconds and you're done.

If I were you, I would get it done privately with sedation. I've never even heard of it being offered without it tbh but maybe there are others on here who've done it that way and can reassure you it's fine.

I hope it all goes well, whatever you decide.

@bubu24 thanks and I'm so sorry to hear you had to go through what you did. The whole thing is stressing me out. I don't really want to get into yet more debt but I need to get sorted and times not on my side. If only the NHS could do it with proper pain relief...
Thanks again.

I would push back on the NHS about just taking painkillers. I had a hysteroscopy with the NHS 2 weeks ago and it was done under GA, I wasn’t told there was other options just that that was how it’s done

@TSHconfusion thanks, where I am I was originally told there was a 44 week wait...then I got this appt through really quickly but it's for an outpatient appt. It seems they want women to try it first minus pain relief and if they can't bear it, pass out etc then they get put on GA wait which is prob the long wait. I think I'll be going abroad...

I have always been very afraid of any procedures or tests done down there so when NHS did my first uterus polyp removal i was super tense and afraid. i took to panodols beforehand, and surprisingly the pain was not that bad at all. It was like a mild period cramp. I even walked home afterward for 30mins after.
I had another polyp on my cervix the year after which I had removed privately. The consultant took a look and removed it there and then. I didnt expect this so I hadnt taken pain killers beforehand. Same thing, just mild cramps.
two yrs later I got another large Polylp in the uterus. I had it removed privately again. They used local anesthesia as standard practice. Tbh I was more afraid of the injection going in my cervix than the actual polylp removal. Everything turned out ok and painless with Mild period cramps later.
I know everybody is different and has diff pain tolerance, but just want to say dont worry and the procedure is very quick. I hope it all goes smoothly for you 🤞

@Eggsellenté thanks and glad to hear you've not found it too bad. I've been reading the campaign for pain free hysteroscopy...and i just cant believe sedation isn't offered or even pain numbing gel before the injection into cervix. It's offered for dental work so crazy is not for injection into cervix! Urgh...

@Sara237yup, I read about the campaigns and all the horror stories from ppl online too hence what got me very nervous before the procedure the first time 😅 whatever your decision, I hope it turns out ok for you 🙂

My clinic abroad want me to have a hysteroscopy. It needs to be done on certain days of my cycle and for logistical reasons I had also looked into getting it done privately in the UK. I did find several consultants who could do it privately under sedation. I found another clinic where they would only do it without sedation and declined. I do have one DC born via c-section after many rounds of IVF and have been trying for a sibling for a long time. The fertility clinic have said if there is any c-section scar defect they would want that repaired at the same time as the hysteroscopy and therefore they think sedation is a must. I have decided in the end to wait and have the procedure at my fertility clinic when I can get time off work. I feel like the important thing is to get someone who knows what they are doing and is experienced with infertility.

@daisypizza PMd you x

An update, had appt for this today and the consultant took one look at the scan results showing polyp I'd had done and suggested GA. And he said within 6 weeks. Much relief! Thanks for your comments ladies x