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Women's health

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Original poster

Hysteroscopy and mirena insertion. How painful?

28 replies

TickledOnion · 10/06/2022 19:17

If you had a hysteroscopy and mirena insertion at the same time, how painful was it? Could you drive home after? My mum has offered to come with me to drive me home but not sure if it’s necessary.

OP posts:
BeanAnTae · 10/06/2022 19:22

I haven't had either done but researched hysteroscopy recently as thought I might need it and for some women it's painful. If your Mum has offered to come, then I'd take her up on it. Just in case you are one of those women who finds it painful.

lorisparkle · 10/06/2022 19:27

I only have experience of a mirena coil insertion. In my experience it was exceptionally painful (and I would not repeat the experience) but I was fine to drive home. However I have talked to a number of different people and some people find the mirena coil insertion not painful at all. It is an exceptionally personal response and not necessarily linked to any mythical 'pain threshold'

KittyMcKitty · 10/06/2022 19:30

ive Had both at different times. The Mirena was unpleasant but I was fine to drive home after. The hysteroscopy was one of the most unpleasant painful experiences I’ve had - and I’ve never had any issues with smears or gynae exams previously.

Lallybroch · 10/06/2022 19:31

I've had both and found it painful at the time but once it was over I was fine and certainly able to drive home afterwards.

Dobbysgotthesocks · 10/06/2022 19:35

I have had two husteroscopys both done under general. Tbh I wouldn't have it done without. I know some people can deal with it but personally I don't think it's worth it.

I had a week off work afterwards and then another week part time due to pain and cramping afterwards. Don't let people fob you off that it's always a quick recovery afterwards because it isn't.

Gubu · 10/06/2022 19:40

I had a hysteroscopy and mirena insertion under GA. I have a high pain threshold and would definitely recommend asking if it's an option for you.

Tintackedsea · 10/06/2022 19:42

GA for me too. Took a day or two to stop cramping but heavy bleeding for weeks after.

Abra1d1 · 10/06/2022 19:43

I’ve driven home but it is good to have someone there in case you feel a bit faint.

My first hysteroscopy without anaesthetic took place during lockdown and i couldn’t ask anyone to drive me. It was fine but that was only 40 minutes. I now I have to go an hour-plus and I make sure I am accompanied.

yummytummy · 10/06/2022 19:44

everyone is different but mine was horrific. i really don't think hysteroscopy is something that should be done without a GA. i don't think if it was a man's procedure it would be tolerated to be done with nothing. even having gas and air for it would have helped. anyway i was very shaken after and had no option but to drive home after but i didn't feel right. if you are lucky enough to have a mum then please take the option of having someone with you. it could be that you are absolutely fine which is great but having someone be there for you is priceless.

jevoudrais · 10/06/2022 19:46

I had a hysteroscopy and it was fine. I was very worried about it. I wonder if I lucked out and had a super skilled consultant do mine. She was fab, and very much 'if it's uncomfortable we can stop and you can come back another time for GA'.

JS87 · 10/06/2022 19:50

Very painful but I drove home on my own. I did feel faint though during the procedure. They said if I’d told them I was prone to fainting they’d have made sure I was lying down flat when they did it! I needed to sit in the cafe for a bit before driving home so I’d bring your mum if she’s offered.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 10/06/2022 19:53

I’d have your mum drive you home. I felt a bit wobbly and sore after mine and wouldn’t have felt up to driving. Taking a couple of paracetamol before you go in is supposed to help. I found it painful but manageable and I had a great Dr. who made it clear I could stop at any moment and go back and have it under GA.

EmpressoftheMundane · 10/06/2022 19:56

I’ve had both at separate times. The hysteroscopy was completely painless. The mirena coil insertion was so painful that I went into shock and could not control my hands or legs. Apparently the NHS takes the view that women don’t have nerves on their cervix and therefore pain relief is not required. I was told later, that you can on your own dime get a prescription for some numbing cream that you can bring to the appointment for the GP to use.

Women’s pain is not taken seriously.

MardyBra · 10/06/2022 19:58

I had both with gas and air. The mirena was very painful but manageable with the G&A. I was OK to drive after a sit down.

Sylaby · 10/06/2022 20:31

I've had them done at the same time and found it mildly uncomfortable but not at all painful, have since had a coil replaced, had to be done at hospital rather than GP as I have an awkward cervix, I found that more uncomfortable but only mild pain, nothing unbearable. Both times they made me sit and have a drink and biscuit afterwards, couldn't understand why as I felt perfectly fine and just wanted to get on with my day! I have had three children though, so probably a little more (ahem) stretched down there than some 😬

BabyYodasGotMyTeacher · 10/06/2022 20:39

I've had both separately. In both cases I took a couple of paracetamol in advance and both were uncomfortable but not screech-worthy and was fine to drive afterwards. I have had 2 natural births if that makes a difference 😂

Sylaby · 10/06/2022 20:39

I must add that the doctor and nurses were amazing, told me to ask them to stop at any time, kept checking I was comfortable and offered to use a local anaesthetic if I wanted.

Franca123 · 10/06/2022 21:00

No way I could have driven after the hysteroscopy. My legs were like jelly and buckled at one point. Fortunately, my partner had insisted on coming with me and he bundled me into a taxi. I think I was effectively in shock for a few hours after. Completely barbaric and i would never take a doctor's word on anything again. I actually think I've generally got a high pain threshold.

RandomMess · 10/06/2022 21:07

Hysteroscopy pain seems to vary massively. They couldn't do mine without GA in the end!

Mirena I found a doddle but it was only 14 days post partum!

fantasmasgoria1 · 10/06/2022 21:10

I had mine without any anaesthetic. It was uncomfortable but not painful. I had a biopsy at the same time which stung a bit! 😂 That was the only actual painful thing.

megletthesecond · 10/06/2022 21:11

I insisted on a general for my hysteroscopy. I wanted them to get on with it. It was very quick.

TomAllenWife · 10/06/2022 21:20

I've had a general both times for hysteroscopy

It's not something I want to be awake for and gynae agreed
Have my mirena put in under GA too

MrsMigginsCat · 10/06/2022 21:20

I had both done at the same time in the first lockdown along with a myosure polyp removal procedure. I had a local anaesthetic and gas and air. It was painful, but bearable. I wouldn't have wanted to drive home afterwards though. Luckily DH came with me and waited outside.

yummytummy · 12/06/2022 17:59

have these replies helped you op?

fufulina · 12/06/2022 18:05

Mine was very unpleasant. I agree with pp - I don’t think it should be even offered without sedation or GA. And I was not prepared for how I felt afterwards - I needed to take a half day off work due to cramping and pain. Then was fine.