Hysteroscopy...does anyone have any good experiences?!

[TheGreenGoddess]

I have been urgently referred on the two-week pathway by my GP after she became concerned about my symptoms, and I have to go for a hysteroscopy next week.
Does anyone have a good experience of this procedure? Everyone I've spoken to says it's awful and everything you read online says much the same. So now I'm bricking it...I had a really bad painful experience with a coil insertion some years ago, so am worried this could be the same (or worse!)
Any hints or positive experiences welcome....not sure I want to hear any more bad experiences thanks!

I asked for a GA and would have one again if I have to have any more.
In terms of timescale I reported bleeding at the start of January this year and had the procedure under GA at the start of Feb so I waited a couple of weeks extra compared to having it done at the out patient clinic. Results were all clear.

Once you have had the ultrasound they will have a good idea as to whether there are any polyps or fibroids to be removed. Obviously if there are then the likelihood of pain is higher than if they just want to do a biopsy. The problem with this procedure is that while most women find it tolerable as an outpatient maybe 10-25% find it intolerable due to unmanageable pain, and nobody seems to be able to predict which category individuals will fall into. You can ask your hospital to provide statistics on the subjective perceived level of pain at that hospital, some hospitals will provide this on request, I don't think any provide it as standard (I think they absolutely should).

The NHS financially incentivises hospitals to do as many as possible on an outpatient basis due to the lower costs. If you prefer GA it is your right to choose.

I've had one without anaesthetic. It was all fine and just like a smear that took a little longer. Minimal bleeding afterwards. I also had a polyp removed, again without anaesthetic. All fine and over very quickly. I think the thought of these things is often worse than the reality. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

I had two last year. They were both fine. First one was to remove a polyp which they failed to remove. I had to go back again so they could have another go. Turns out it was a fibroid thus toughe to remove. Both times were fine with no pain. Just a bit uncomfortable but I chatted away through both even though I'd been dreading them. A bit crampy afterwards but ibuprofen was enough to sort it. Best of luck x

I have had one without anaesthesia and while I could tolerate a previous coil fitting, I tolerated the hysteroscopy well.

Sorry, couldn't not could

I'm in the horrifically painful camp

& I felt belittled and treated as if I was being ridiculous by the hcp

I had one in October to investigate abnormalities found at my smear test. It was fine, some mild discomfort like period pain but it was over in a few minutes and then i got dressed, spoke to the dr and was done and came home. I was so anxious but it was fine for me.

I’ve had two without anaesthetic bar some local on the cervix. I take ibuprofen and paracetamol before and it’s tolerable. It doesn’t take too long and I’ve found the doctors and nurses very kind and attentive.

Oh, lucky me, actually had three now, not two. Another one due shortly.

Take a decent painkiller beforehand (stronger than paracetamol) and get someone lined up to take you home afterwards. I cannot lie, mine was extremely painful. But I had a visualisation therapy session before and my kind mum to drive me home afterwards. Felt sore that night. But was back to normal within a day or two. I hope yours goes ok.

I had one, a biopsy and a mirena insertion. The actual hysteroscopy and mirena insertion didn't hurt they were just uncomfortable but when they did the biopsy I said oh crikey. That did hurt!

Mine was awful. I would want a GA should I have one again. If they've got a two week timescale for investigation incorporating surgical procedures (which hysteroscopy is) they should factor that in and make it happen for you. Honestly I would insist on it. When I finally made it out of the room they put me on a bed to recover. That bed was there all the time, because women who come out of the room need it. I don't think there are any other countries that carry out this procedure with paracetamol alone and we shouldn't either.

I am sorry for the situation you are facing. Get them to at least give you proper pain relief.

I had one years ago and was petrified after hearing all the hysterical stories about the pain. It was absolutely fine, a mild period like cramp and that was it!

"hysterical"

Mine is soon, under GA.

How soon can you have sex?

Oops pressed too soon! Protected sex I mean, given that the infection risk is from the sperm I believe

I agree with the above accounts. I took paracetamol before and it was fine. Good luck and try not to worry!

I’ve had 3 of these procedures. 2 of them were under GA and it was fine. But I had one done whilst awake and to be completely honest it was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I would flat out refuse to have one again unless it was under a GA. I’m not a wimp when it comes to pain either. I’ve had 2 children and multiple medical procedures. The hysteroscopy was worst.

I was expecting it to be painful but actually it wasn't any worse than a smear test. Just the odd ouchy moment. I wouldn't be worried about having another one,

These questions come up very often onthis board.

The responses are always 50:50- some women are fine without any pain meds/ GA, others are in agony.

So @TheGreenGoddess it's really hard to predict how you will cope.

I have had one with nothing (my choice.) The plan was to try it with nothing, local jab if needed, full GA if needed at a later date.

(This was privately, not NHS.)

I found it fine. It did take some time- 30mins compared with the average 10 mins- as my cervix was firmly shut. However I did not feel any discomfort.

Afterwards I did experience 'cervical shock' which is a reaction to being prodded, and felt faint, but it was easily managed by lying down for a while and a cup of tea. I managed to get home by public transport and felt ok the following day.

Personally I'd avoid a GA at all costs simply as it's more risky and the RCOG say that more damage - perforation of the uterus- can be done when using a GA (I expect it's because the dr is a little more rough when the patient is not conscious.)

Just some things to bear in mind.

@TheGreenGoddess If you are still reading...I too had a bad experience with the coil roughly 10 years before the hysteroscopy. (Very painful and it later expelled itself!)

The hysteroscopy was a doddle in comparison but that may have been the difference between a very good gynae surgeon and someone less experienced.

@JinglingHellsBells thank you, yes I am still reading!
That's helpful to know. It seems people are very split on how they experience this type of procedure. Like you, my experience of coil insertion was hellish, but as I have since thought, and as you said, the procedure was carried out by a nurse in my doctors surgery (no disrespect to nurses, of course!) rather than a gynae surgeon who probably does these things day in day out. So I'm hopeful my hysteroscopy will be unremarkable....

I had one last week on the two week wait. Not painful but fascinating- although I said I’d rather the consultant could see the screen clearly rather than me, I could watch and he pointed out my Fallopian tube entrances, fibroids etc. I could also see the scraper 🤢
Nurse and consultant were both exceptionally kind and reassuringly chatty, this was at King’s.

I was given time to gather myself and antibiotics to take before I left.
Only thing I was surprised by and would have liked more time to consider was the other of a Mireya coil, I’m 53 ffs. I said no and having researched since I happy I made the right decision but if it’s worth looking into not trying to make a decision legs akimbo.

@TheGreenGoddess Just to add- I'd also had a biopsy (on its own) some months previously. That 'instrument' is slightly smaller than the hysteroscopy camera. I found that really simple and it was straight in, had it done in dr's room, and home.

I was nervous on the day of course but I'd known my dr for many years and had a lot of confidence in him which may have helped. I also knew I had the option of saying 'stop' or whatever.

I think he was painstakingly careful. They have to use dilating rods if the cervix is tight, so they open it up gradually- not ram the thing in!

It's a slightly weird feeling when they put some water in but it last literally seconds.

Hope you get on ok!