Hysteroscopy

[DWMoosmum]

I'm due to have a Hysteroscopy on Thursday, only a few days after being told I urgently needed one due to recent scan. I am pretty nervous but only because my last smear was excruciating due to my tilted cervix and being painfully menopausal (my pain threshold is low these days). I've been advised to take paracetamol before hand but was wondering if I'd be able to request a sedation in addition. They haven't told me it will be under GA which I'm grateful for.

I've had a laparoscopy under GA 20 years ago and that was painful coming round. Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi there. Wish I could be of more help... I had my hysteroscopy under GA but that was only because the private hospital I was having it at didn't have the fancy thinner equipment. And to have it at a hospital that had that better equipment weirdly the wait was longer. My consultant said it was sedation for the fancy equipment. Either way coming round from the hysteroscopy the discomfort after was not too bad thankfully. More like period pain. Like yourself I've had a laparoscopy (two) and the pain was more significant that with the hysteroscopy. Hope this helps and best of luck with your procedure xx .

I had a hysteroscopy with no pain relief and was second day of my period and it was utterly horrendous. I felt violated and if I ever had another I would want to be sedated.

I had one a couple of weeks ago, for an attempt to remove a polyp (unfortunately failed) and an endometrial biopsy. It wasn't as bad as I expected.

I was worried because I've never had a vaginal birth, so they used something topical to numb my cervix a bit, and then gave me a local anaesthetic injection in my cervix.

After that the actual procedure just felt like fairly strong period pains. While I'm not looking forward to a repeat to get the polyp out, I'm glad I didn't need the GA as recovery can take longer.

I had one and it wasn't too bad at all. I think they numbed the cervix with something local and I just felt a bit of discomfort and felt a little bit crampy afterwards but nothing major. The woman doctor doing it was lovely and put me at my ease very expertly.

I've subsequently had smears afterwards that were more problematic as my cervix is tilted and they seemed to have trouble finding it! I'm in my 50s but was about 42 when I had the hysteroscopy. I've never had a vaginal birth so always worry I've not had my pain threshold properly tested in this region and might be a bit of a wuss as a result!

I hope yours goes well.

Just jumping on the thread here as I have been told ill need a hysteroscopy if my 4th attempt at FET is canx. Could I ask what causes the pain? I don't find smears painful and have also had a HSG which was fine, I'm freaking out now.

I had one, as well as polyp removal and a coil inserted in the same procedure. I took painkillers in advance and used gas and air during the procedure. It wasn't a fun experience, but, the most painful bit lasted literally a few seconds. If I was to have the same procedure again I think I could cope and wouldn't want the hassle and risk of a GA, but appreciate everyone is different.

FYI I haven't had a vaginal birth, in case it is relevant to the level of discomfort. And as PP said, the team were amazing, really supportive, held my hand, laughed along with my gas and air induced mad ramblings.

Thank you for your lovely responses ladies, it's much appreciated.

I haven't had VB, both were elective sections recommended by the consultant due to cysts and large fibroids. I did actually go into false labour first time around at 34 weeks and it was horrendous. My smears are usually painless but since I've been in Peri they just seem worse.

I'm going to ask for all the pain relief I can get before hand and Im going to listen to a podcast if I can. Maybe laughing my way through it will help! xx

@BlunderingBaboon I ended up having a poly removed and the Mirena inserted. Silly me forgot to take pain relief before hand and I didn't eat so I almost passed out after. I didn't have gas and air but the nurses all take to me through out so it took my mind off it. As for painful, it was like a bad period pain but not as bad as I thought it would be. (I'm milking it now though as I lay on the sofa with a blanket ) 😉 x

@SadieBarts it wasn't actually painful but I had period cramps throughout. I was worried as I have a tilted cervix and Ive not had a VB as both of my children were via c section, so I had to have my cervix stretched. I could cope with it again if I had to, and I'm a baby when it comes to procedures x

I had one earlier this year and biopsies taken. I was petrified but it was absolutely fine. I’d taken max dose painkillers beforehand, this definitely helped me relax (codiene and naproxen - I have both at home because of joint issues). The biopsies were a tiny bit pinchy and the sensation of fluid being in the uterus was x as not weird. But honestly I was chatting away to the nurses and consultant all the way through.

I was offered gas and air, would have definitely taken it. Maybe they only whip it out if you’re in pain. This year I’ve had at least 12 speculum exams, internal scans, hysteroscopy, coil inserted, gastroscopy and colonoscopy with 16 biopsies taken, and now having hysterectomy next week. I have no dignity left but honestly the hysteroscopy was no worse than any of the other procedures.