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Original poster

Hysteroscopy

134 replies

emmetgirl · 14/01/2023 23:08

Anyone ever had a hysteroscopy? I'm having one in 2 weeks. Is it painful? They suggest I take some painkillers before I arrive 🫣

OP posts:
Mrsworried1 · 18/01/2023 16:07

Hi can’t comment on what one is like but just to say I’m having one next week, under anaesthetic x

Vinvertebrate · 18/01/2023 16:12

I wouldn’t have another one without general anaesthetic:I found the pain intolerable.

sorry OP - there are plenty who don’t need GA.

Mrsworried1 · 18/01/2023 16:14

I feel a tad dramatic having it under GA after seeing lots on here have gone through it without having even paracetamol. But my hospital didn’t give me the option without it. X

wishmyhousetidy · 18/01/2023 16:16

I had one with a paracetamol an hour before it was ok to be honest. They took a small biopsy which stung but it was very quick and wasn’t painful after. It did help that the staff were wonderful and talked me through what they were doing.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 18/01/2023 16:17

I had one, I was wide-awake and didn't have anything painkiller wise.

I also had a biopsy at the same time I'd say same uncomfortableness as a smear.

It was absolutely fine.

The thing is everyone's experiences will be different, so you can't really apply what everyone else says to your own situation, if you see what I mean.

They were very good and kept stopping and checking I was okay
Good luck with it and hope it goes okay.

DoYou · 18/01/2023 16:23

Yes I had one done and found it pretty painful but not unbearable. They discovered I had a large polyp and decided I wouldn't tolerate its removal without a GA.

With these threads it seems to be an equal mix of it not hurting or pretty painful.

I hope that it goes well for you.

Crumpleton · 18/01/2023 16:24

I had one a few months back.
Wasn't my idea of a day out.
Had a mirena coil fitted at the same time.
In all honesty it was uncomfortable while being done but not to bad after.

AlisonDonut · 18/01/2023 16:25

I had one, wide awake, no paracetamol and no notice as I went in for an ultrasound and was immediately referred.

I was screaming in pain, on gas and air and couldn't get dressed [or even walk to be honest] after, was put into a bed, given painkillers after that I couldn't take as I couldn't sit up to take them and was in agony for hours. I had to drive home a few hours later still in pulsating pain and was in a right state for a few days afterwards.

That's why there is a group campaigning against it being done without painkillers and advance knowledge and support.

www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk/

dementedpixie · 18/01/2023 16:27

I had one under GA to remove a mirena coil as the strings went missing. Not sure I'd want one with just paracetamol

Irisheyesareshining · 18/01/2023 16:30

I had one and it was excruciating, they also took a biopsy. The surgeon was surprised I didn’t have it under general, I was not informed how painful it could be and came out of theatre in total shock . Sorry OP !

madeyemoody · 18/01/2023 16:33

Do not do this without a GA, gynaecological abuse of women has to stop. The expectation that childbirth is naturally painful therefore all gynae procedures should have the expectation of pain is archaic and horrendous. Women have health anxiety and PTSD because of these procedures being done awake and without pain relief. No male will ever be expected to have testical surgery or penis surgery without adequate analgesia or a pre-medication and local anaesthesia does not work properly in that area, I know from experience and from understanding how complex the nervous system of the uterus is.

Go on the waitlist If you have to. My partner had to get really angry to be listened too, she had gas and air and also diazepam 15mg for a cervical biopsy. They wanted to do it without anything to keep it a 15 minute procedure. It's disgusting.

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 18/01/2023 16:34

Goodness, have a GA! I’m amazed anyone would allow this under local.

QueefQueen80s · 18/01/2023 16:36

madeyemoody · 18/01/2023 16:33

Do not do this without a GA, gynaecological abuse of women has to stop. The expectation that childbirth is naturally painful therefore all gynae procedures should have the expectation of pain is archaic and horrendous. Women have health anxiety and PTSD because of these procedures being done awake and without pain relief. No male will ever be expected to have testical surgery or penis surgery without adequate analgesia or a pre-medication and local anaesthesia does not work properly in that area, I know from experience and from understanding how complex the nervous system of the uterus is.

Go on the waitlist If you have to. My partner had to get really angry to be listened too, she had gas and air and also diazepam 15mg for a cervical biopsy. They wanted to do it without anything to keep it a 15 minute procedure. It's disgusting.

YES to this. No way would I have one without a GA, it's barbaric what women have to tolerate.
I've never had a catheter inserted without GA, tempted to start asking for smears with one.

OzziePopPop · 18/01/2023 16:37

I had one last year, with a biopsy and then Mirena fitting. It wasn’t pleasant but I managed, I’m disabled and the pain from my back was far worse, fortunately I have strong painkillers to take for that. If you have an option, I’d choose general. Paracetamol imo won’t cut it.

Mrsworried1 · 18/01/2023 16:37

Can I ask if any of you had a d&c as part of it? I don’t really understand what that bits for.
not sure what they’re looking for on the hysteroscopy either as I’ve had a transvaginal ultrasound and nothing was found (two years ago- and still having the same irregular bleeding, between periods, etc and am under gynae) x

steppingcarefully · 18/01/2023 16:38

I had one booked to be done with a local anaesthetic but on reading the literature I was given it said I could request a GA so I did. I’m glad I did, I wouldn’t have one without.

DoYou · 18/01/2023 16:39

madeyemoody · 18/01/2023 16:33

Do not do this without a GA, gynaecological abuse of women has to stop. The expectation that childbirth is naturally painful therefore all gynae procedures should have the expectation of pain is archaic and horrendous. Women have health anxiety and PTSD because of these procedures being done awake and without pain relief. No male will ever be expected to have testical surgery or penis surgery without adequate analgesia or a pre-medication and local anaesthesia does not work properly in that area, I know from experience and from understanding how complex the nervous system of the uterus is.

Go on the waitlist If you have to. My partner had to get really angry to be listened too, she had gas and air and also diazepam 15mg for a cervical biopsy. They wanted to do it without anything to keep it a 15 minute procedure. It's disgusting.

Yes I agree with this to be honest. I did have one done without a GA but I certainly wouldn't do it again if I had a choice.

Iwant2move · 18/01/2023 16:41

I had mine under a GA at the gynaecologist’s advice.

Cornelious · 18/01/2023 16:42

I had one 12 years ago as part of fertility investigations. It was the worst pain I've experienced. I was totally not prepared for it. Drove myself, not given any pain relief and in the end they found 2 blocked tubes which may have accounted for the pain. Came out in shock and couldn't stop crying the whole way home.
Please ask for pain relief.

Vinvertebrate · 18/01/2023 16:43

It's done without GA for costs reasons - mine was performed by a nurse (cheaper than a surgeon and way cheaper than surgeon plus anesthetist). She had to go and get the consultant to try to get the scope in and I was screaming medieval-torture style, then I threw up all over myself and they stopped. The woman behind me in the queue went home - heard everything and decided on a GA.

The next gynae I saw suggested that the procedure might have stretched my cervix and we should try again. I told her I would rather die - and meant it.

poppym12 · 18/01/2023 16:43

If I ever need another I will insist in a GA.

Vinvertebrate · 18/01/2023 16:45

Ironically @Iwant2move the female gynae I saw privately said I could absolutely have a GA and there was no way SHE would have one without a GA <shudder>

If the NHS cannot provide adequate pain relief then it has no business doing these procedures on women.

DoYou · 18/01/2023 16:53

Vinvertebrate · 18/01/2023 16:43

It's done without GA for costs reasons - mine was performed by a nurse (cheaper than a surgeon and way cheaper than surgeon plus anesthetist). She had to go and get the consultant to try to get the scope in and I was screaming medieval-torture style, then I threw up all over myself and they stopped. The woman behind me in the queue went home - heard everything and decided on a GA.

The next gynae I saw suggested that the procedure might have stretched my cervix and we should try again. I told her I would rather die - and meant it.

That sounds truly awful, sorry that this was your experience

linelgreen · 18/01/2023 16:55

Please please insist on a GA the absolute only reason its not routinely offered by the NHS is down to cost as having it done privately a GA was recommended by my consultant.

TickledOnion · 18/01/2023 16:55

I took paracetamol and ibuprofen just before mine. It was fine. No worse than a smear. But the gynae and nurse were lovely and really put me at ease.

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