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Women's health

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Original poster

Talk to me about a hysteroscopy

51 replies

iluvsummer · 12/04/2023 22:16

Hello! I’ve been referred for a hysteroscopy, date has come through after only 2 weeks so that’s put me into a bit of a tizz. I have adenomyosis and very heavy painful periods so the consultant wants to take a sample of the lining and make sure everything is ok and nothing sinister going on, which he was quite confident there isn’t and it’s just the adenomyosis but I always think the worst! He also wants me to have the coil as he thinks this will help! Has anyone been though this and have any advice? My pain threshold is very low despite 3 kids and they told me to take 2 paracetamol and an ibuprofen before 🤣😁

OP posts:
Guiltypleasures001 · 12/04/2023 23:54

I've had two op and hardly felt anything Ide also never had a vaginal birth on,y x sections

I had been bleeding for 18 months due to the menopause,so heavy had to have iron tablets never left the house, on the verge of blood transfusions
Had two coils fitted as well at the same time, and came out with the clots
I had biopsies taken and it was a split second of being uncomfortable then fine
Not everyone's has a problem maybe I was just lucky, my mum had no problems or pain either
Good luck

stilldumdedumming · 12/04/2023 23:55

I had one a few months ago by surprise and no anaesthesia or pain killers. It felt weird and I felt wobbly afterwards. But I do think we are all different and I could have one tomorrow and it could be unbearable. Who knows? I was taken by surprise and didn't know what was happening really . If you want a LA or GA you should ask. There's enough experiences to indicate that it's not always plain sailing.

LulooLemon · 13/04/2023 00:01

I would recommend a local anaesthetic plus gas & air as a minimum. Preferably a general anaesthetic.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 13/04/2023 00:08

I've had two without any anaesthetic and they've been slightly uncomfortable but not horrendous.

After the first one I was back at my desk within an hour.

There's no way I'd have a GA if I need another one. I had to have a GA to remove the polyp they found, and needed 5 days sick leave afterwards as it affected me so much.

IHateLegDay · 13/04/2023 00:14

I've had two and had both under GA. I would never consent to one without.
If it was a man, the doctors would knock them out and give them every drug under the sun but is women are expected to put up and shut up.

My recovery after both was completely fine. Some bleeding for a week or so but not heavy.

Theydontknowanything · 13/04/2023 01:30

I don't react well to GA so took paracetamol before I went in and had no anaesthesia. It was a bit uncomfortable but the only real pain was when they were taking the sample of the lining and that was like a bad cramp. I was offered GA with a doctor or no anaesthetic and the specialist nurse. I chose the nursing team and they were brilliant although I declined the offer to watch it on the giant screen. The worst bit was waiting for the fluid to drain onto the giant puppy pad. Not very dignified and a bit chilly!

QueenBitch666 · 13/04/2023 01:50

I'm due one and have insisted on a GA. It's your right to have a trauma free procedure

Blip · 13/04/2023 06:47

I opted for a GA and no regrets. Also not good with pain and have never had a vaginal delivery, am over 50, all reasons why GA can be a sensible choice.

GA has to be offered to everyone regardless so it's your right to choose it for any reason. I had to wait an extra week or two for a day surgery slot.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 13/04/2023 08:22

I had one and I found it horrendous. I felt violated. I was on my periods though and had only come on late the day before.

Original poster
iluvsummer · 13/04/2023 08:25

Oh thank you so much for sharing your experiences, the consultant shrugged it off when I said about ga and the nurse on the way out said she’s had 2 and they were fine but I could have gas and air and the woman the phone yesterday said to speak to the staff when I get there next week about pain relief. I’m going to ring the actual department when I get the letter through and speak to them about sedation or ga for it, I have a long cervix and a tilted womb anyway so I can’t see it being a pain free experience. And those who are saying men would have a ga are totally right!!

OP posts:
Needapadlockonmyfridge · 13/04/2023 08:40

I had one last year
Took paracetamol beforehand as advised.
Can't lie, it was extremely painful. Way more than I expected.

Totallyaddictedtoshoes · 14/04/2023 00:17

I've just read the later replies to this and it really makes my blood boil knowing they are supposed to offer LA/GA for this but don't make it clear. I and many others were offered nothing, just the standard, 2 paracetamol an hour before, it's absolute bollocks and we shouldn't have to put up with this. You are absolutely entitled to ask for proper,appropriate pain relief op, make sure you fight for it and I wish you well.

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 14/04/2023 04:28

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 13/04/2023 08:40

I had one last year
Took paracetamol beforehand as advised.
Can't lie, it was extremely painful. Way more than I expected.

I realise, I should have clarified. Turned out I had a load of polyps, which they removed at the same time - if it had been just the hysteroscopy that would still have been painful yes, but the procedure would have been a lot shorter.

If I had known the full extent of what it would be like, I think I would have asked for at least gas and air.

CherryMaple · 14/04/2023 12:43

Worth checking gas and air would be available. At the hospital I was at, I asked at pre-op, and was told gas and air wasn’t offered.

Devincris58 · 14/04/2023 13:07

Mine was pain free. I've not had children nor had a coil. I have a very low threshold of pain. Perhaps the doctor relaxed me, and was happy to stop if I was in pain. To be honest I was amazed it was so painless.

Devincris58 · 14/04/2023 13:09

Also just to say it was worth it, as they removed my polyps, and found pre-cancerous cells so I had to have a full hysterectomy.

Athena123456 · 14/04/2023 13:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 14/04/2023 16:20

iluvsummer · 13/04/2023 08:25

Oh thank you so much for sharing your experiences, the consultant shrugged it off when I said about ga and the nurse on the way out said she’s had 2 and they were fine but I could have gas and air and the woman the phone yesterday said to speak to the staff when I get there next week about pain relief. I’m going to ring the actual department when I get the letter through and speak to them about sedation or ga for it, I have a long cervix and a tilted womb anyway so I can’t see it being a pain free experience. And those who are saying men would have a ga are totally right!!

I also have a tilted womb. Maybe it's why it hurt me so much.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 15/04/2023 19:39

I had one with no pain relief and didn’t feel it. I haven’t had kids, a HCP I knew had the same dr do hers and found it awful, she’d had kids.

Original poster
iluvsummer · 20/04/2023 12:41

Ok, I’ve just got home from having it done. It was not horrific but it was not pain free. They had to use a smaller camera than the one they started with as it was painful with the larger one and I had to ask them to
stop. I had the anaesthetic gel and gas and air. If you are having it done ask for these as they will give them to you. I also took 2 zapain and a diazepam beforehand. The smaller camera made a big difference with the pain level.

When it was being done it was like mild period pains, the biopsy was a twinge and inserting the coil was tolerable with the gas and air. The gas and air was a godsend. Now I’m home I’m cramping a little like period pains but it is ok. They did say that they would stop at any point if I said and that it would be done under ga or spinal at another time.

My advice if you’re having it done is to go in with an open mind, advocate for yourself and do not be afraid to ask for pain relief or to ask them to stop. It was quick, under 15 minutes and the consultant and nurses couldn’t have been nicer or kinder.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 20/04/2023 13:08

My sister wasn't even offered gas and Air and they had to go and find it when she said she felt like she was in labour. She felt it should have been offered at the start as an option.

dementedpixie · 20/04/2023 13:09

P.s. she was in to get polyps removed from her womb and they also found one on her cervix

Original poster
iluvsummer · 20/04/2023 17:47

dementedpixie · 20/04/2023 13:08

My sister wasn't even offered gas and Air and they had to go and find it when she said she felt like she was in labour. She felt it should have been offered at the start as an option.

That’s awful, they should have made it clear it would be available to her!

OP posts:
Redlorry1234 · 20/04/2023 17:55

I think if varies a lot between women. I had one with only local anaesthetic and was totally fine, in fact I had very little pain The mirena insertion that I had at the same time was more painful though and I did get a bit light headed/dizzy at the end. I did have cramping/pain for 48hrs after the procedure but was able to tolerate it with ibuprofen and paracetamol. Hope it goes ok and good luck.

Original poster
iluvsummer · 20/04/2023 18:05

Yes, I’m cramping quite badly now and have started to bleed a little, am also feeling a little lightheaded when I stand so currently lying on the sofa watching tv!

OP posts: