Hysteroscopy - my experience

[Seriously79]

Yesterday I had a Hysteroscopy, I was terrified but wanted to offer encouragement for those due to have one.

my appointment was at 11am, and I was taken through promptly.

I was last on the list, but time passed quickly and there was air con so I didn’t mind just sitting there.

the anaesthetist came around for a chat and explained everything, and the surgeon. The surgeon automatically pushed for the mirena coil (I’m 47, peri heavy periods) but I decided not to have it. The main reason for the hysteroscopy was to have a look and take a biopsy.

about an hour before surgery I took 4 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen these hit me as I had eaten since 11pm the night before.

they came to collect me and I walked into theatre, they confirmed all my details and I lay down while they put the canula in, they gave me fentanyl which was the craziest feeling, and I had oxygen. I asked ‘is this when I should start counting backwards?’ And was told ‘not just yet, we will let you know when it’s time’ and then I woke up in recovery and hour later.

had a cuppa tea and some biscuits, and some more pain killers. And went home 2 hours later.

i was sick twice when I got in, but I think that was due to the heat, and the medication.

today I’m a bit delicate, with only minimal spotting.

in short, if you are going to have this surgery, please don’t worry.

I had one with no anaesthetic . Went into the room, laid on an upright type bed with stirrups. It’s was awful. So painful and so much blood. Managed to get through it, walked to loo, got changed and left. Wouldn’t recommend . Glad you had a positive experience OP

The general anaesthetic is the crucial difference between these two experiences. It really should be standard but sadly is far from it.

I had one, no anaesthetic offered until I was screaming in agony 😕 Absolutely barbaric. I'm glad to hear your experience was better.

It's amazing how women having the same procedure have totally different experiences. Maybe its down to anatomy, the reason for it or the skill of the gynaecologist ?

I had a hysteroscopy about 3 years ago for random post menopause bleeding. It was a bit like having a smear but a bit more uncomfortable. No GA, no pain or bleeding. I took some ibuprofen before hand and drove home.

I am however eternally grateful to the gynaecologist who told me she could see signs of very early VA despite me having no symptoms. I started vaginal oestrogen immediately which has been great 🙂

I think past practices like mine was without any anaesthetic have been recognised for what they are - utterly barbaric. I was totally unprepared for it.

I had one with no anaesthetic. I'm fairly stoic usually and I was literally screaming in pain. Awful experience.

I’ve never had sedation or anaesthetic for a hysteroscopy. First one was fine (private), second was grim (nhs). Had a polyp both times. First removed w general, second 15 years later with local (do not recommend).

I had one this week. They removed a sample of endometrial tissue for biopsy but didn't find any polyps or suchlike that needed removal.

Worth checking what appointment time means. Mine was for 11am and I was told I was first/second on the list. It meany first/second on the afternoon list, so nearly 3 hours afterwards. I was given two paracetamols and one 400mg ibuprofen beforehand. I left hospital around 4pm and was able to get the bus home.

I've not had children and find smear tests painful; the consultant said I wouldn't tolerate the procedure while awake and needed general anaethesia. When I got into theatre, I found it was to be done under heavy sedation; the medics said it was safer but I could have GA if I wanted. I went for sedation, on the grounds that the anaesthetist would know far more about it than I did.

Have felt OK since as well as woozy and bloated at times with some mild cramping (like mild period cramps), with bleeding stopping and starting which can be expected. I've not needed any painkillers.

I agree, but I had no anaesthetic and it felt and wax treated a bit llike a smear, bug at the hospital so not everyone is the same.

So did I, I had one after I was sterilised. Gynae wanted to check the clips,
the pain was horrific and it was just an outpatient appointment. I bumped into a nurse i knew on the way out she had me sit down and phoned me a taxi home because I looked ashen she said.

Op im glad you had anesthesia and it went well.

I was one of the lucky ones who found having a hysteroscopy completely pain free, with only a couple of paracetamol beforehand. I had a biopsy, polyp removal and Mirena coil insertion done, and honestly for me it was fine, I've had more painful smear tests. I drove myself home afterwards and was back at work the next day.

I asked my gynaecologist about a GA, but his view was that I shouldn't find it too bad because I've had three vaginal births, though he'd do it under GA if I preferred. I had a GA for exactly the same thing in the past and that was fine too, but decided not to this time.

It is really amazing how different women can have totally different experiences of this procedure. I do think that GA should be routinely offered though, because it's a procedure that is known to be very painful in some cases. It's appalling that women are expected to just get on with it and experience pain when they don't have to.

I agree and my experience was just like yours. I've also had 3 vaginal births so I wonder if that is what makes the difference?

Fair enough, we are all built differently. The staff were dismissive of my pain, which made it worse.

I am pleased for you that you got fentanyl. I had one with a polyp removal done on the recommended 2 paracetamol and was the most painful and traumatic experience of my life. The consultant told me I might feel a bit of discomfort!!!
It is barbaric to expect women to have this procedure done with no sedation.

Awful awful experience. Female gynaecologist who offered no support or encouragement. I didn’t get any warning or explanation, was completely clueless. I have a fairly high pain threshold but it was so painful and made me cry out. She ignored me and said nothing. I went back to work still shaking and traumatised. Thought it was just me until I began to read about others experiences. We’ve all been duped into keeping quiet and not making a scene.

Glad it went well opx

I have had two without GA. Both totally fine, less than 10 seconds discomfort with the biopsies. It’s not fun but both mine were done by extended scope nurses . Absolutely excellent. Supportive, kind, all female team and really clear they would stop if it hurt. I think it’s really important GA is available but it’s also good to talk about good experiences as believing something is universally brutal is harmful too.

But you don't know how you will tolerate it until you're in the middle of it and by then it's too late.

Same here. Was offered no pain relief was on my period which they knew about. I felt violated and it was a horrendous experience

My friend had one with no GA. I’d never ever agree to one without a GA. Sadly friend has no passed, no related to the gynae issues but that’s when all her symptoms started and all blamed as menopause.

This was my experience too. The consultant was apologetic, but a GA was never offered as an option.

I’ve had 3 vaginal births and sadly my experience was horrific. Had to brought in for GA. I’ve no issue with smears - nor with labour strangely but the hysteroscopy was as others put it, barbaric.

Exactly this. I've had 2.

First one 10 years ago was fine, barely felt a thing, even the biopsy. Went straight back to work.

Second one last month, fucking horrendous. I thought the torture would never end. I'll never forget it.

Afterwards I was told they get worse as you get older because your cervix becomes tighter to get through, even if on HRT.

How awful for you, I'm really sorry to hear that. Maybe its the skill of the practitioner or anatomy then that makes it so painful.

My first hysterectomy was with no anaesthetic and was agonising, easily the worst medical procedure I have ever had.

I had local anaesthetic injected into my cervix for the second one and also had a Mirena inserted at the same time. There was no pain at all. I said I would only do the second procedure with anaesthetic. I wasn't offered a GA or sedation, but I wouldn't have wanted that anyway.