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Original poster

Hysteroscopy advice - has anyone had one?

61 replies

Waitingwomb · 10/09/2023 08:37

I need a hysteroscopy to check unexplained bleeding. There was nothing immediately worrying on the scan but my womb lining is a bit thick. I don't know if I'm peri or post menopausal because I take the mini pill (part of trying to balance my hormones after similar episodes before).

I've got to have it under general anaesthetic (couldn't cope when they tried to take a sample without).

Has anyone had one under general? I'm really scared it will be painful afterwards - think I have a curved cervix - and that they'll damage my womb by poking about.

I'm also worried about the wait. They said they couldn't see any signs of cancer, but there was a chance of pre-cancerous changes. I waited 6 weeks instead of 2 for my first appointment. Do I look at getting it privately (it's an option) or is the NHS the best bet for this kind of thing?

And the cheerful doctor said even if they do find anything dodgy, I can have a hysterectomy. Like it was an easy option...

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 10/09/2023 08:38

I had mine done in clinic, and I had no after effects. No pain or anything. So I think you’d just have the effects of the GA.

Original poster
Waitingwomb · 10/09/2023 17:30

Thanks @DustyLee123 - that's reassuring. Can I ask how long you had to wait? I'm worried the strikes will mean it's longer that the 4-6 weeks they said, especially since it's a couple of weeks after that when you get the results. Even then I've either got (worst case) 2 extra months of pre-cancerous cells growing or (best case) 2 more months of bleeding before they sort my HRT.

OP posts:
ChallengeAnneka · 10/09/2023 17:33

I had one and was so worried about it but it was really fine. I actually felt quite good when I woke up, as though I’d had a deep and refreshing sleep! And no after effects. I hope you have the same good fortune as I did.

Mumsanetta · 10/09/2023 17:35

Had mine done under general, no side effects (other than drowsiness from the GA) and no pain. I’m sure yours will be the same x

DustyLee123 · 10/09/2023 17:41

Mine wasn’t under GA, so how long I waited isn’t relevant.
The consultant who did mine said that the best way to control bleeding is progesterone in the womb, so a mirena coil. It would thin your lining too.

Original poster
Waitingwomb · 10/09/2023 17:59

Thanks all. I'm normally pretty level-headed about health issues but this is really worrying me. My DM died of breast cancer when she wasn't that much older than I am now. I think it's something to do with that.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 10/09/2023 21:20

I remember going a bit mental as I headed towards the age that my mum died. I get it.

flowergirl2020 · 10/09/2023 21:23

I had one under general. Much preferred it compared to other things done whilst conscious such as endometrial scratches etc for ivf. The discomfort was no more than what I get leading up to a period and only needed paracetemol etc xx

Helenahandkart · 10/09/2023 21:25

I had one a few years ago. No sedation or GA or anything. It was absolutely fine. No worse than getting a smear done. I don’t remember any pain or anything, either during or afterwards.

MarvellousMinnie · 10/09/2023 21:32

I had a biopsy this week, no anaesthetic or anything which I would not recommend! Had a Mirena coil fitted at the same which wasn't that pleasant either.
You'll be completely fine after a GA, I've had no after effects at all!

AnneShirleysNewDress · 10/09/2023 21:35

I had one under GA for endometriosis. I had some discomfort for a couple of days afterwards but paracetamol helped. I had it done privately and was kept in overnight (so they could add it to the bill).

DramaAlpaca · 10/09/2023 21:40

I had a hysterosopy under general anaesthetic. They did a D&C, removed a polyp and fitted a Mirena at the same time. The GA was like a lovely sleep and I had no issues afterwards apart from a bit of tenderness which was helped by painkillers.

janicegarvey · 10/09/2023 21:44

I just had a pelvic ultrasound due to small amounts of brown bleeding in the days after my period. Mostly normal and fine but the dr found a small amount of womb thickening 😩

I have gynae follow up Tuesday and may need a hysteroscopy, I'm worried too but the gp has assured me that what was seen on the ultrasound wasn't concerning.

I'm 43 and almost certainly perimenopausal. I'm not scared of the procedure tbh it's more the waiting and worrying

But having spoke to a lot of people it is generally nothing to worry about. It is a bit more concerning in post menopausal women but still unlikely to be anything of concern

Handcreamqueen · 10/09/2023 21:47

I’ve had 4 and will probably need a fifth in a few weeks. I have only had one under a GA and that was when I also had a D&C. All was fine except a bit of drowsiness afterwards.
I have had years of gynae issues and had many biopsies etc as I regularly had a thickened uterine lining, it’s a major pita.
Good luck, hope all goes well.

Alyosha · 10/09/2023 21:49

I had one with no general anaesthetic and it was absolutely fine, no pain or side effects apart from a little spotting. I don't know if your anatomy might make it harder though. Are you definitely under GA and not sedation?

faeriesandelves · 10/09/2023 21:59

Also had one under GA. No after effects at all except I told husband I had to rest for a week so no hoovering or housework ! Seriously though nothing to worry about at all.

YellowRibbon710 · 10/09/2023 22:03

My procedure and after effects were almost exactly the same as this. Really nothing to worry about.

I had two. The first under local anesthetic under the NHS which was very uncomfortable but, apart from a bit of bleeding, had no after effects.

The second was done privately as, like you, I was worried about waiting too long. If you can afford it (was around £1500 earlier this year), then I recommend it for a quicker appointment plus much more personalised care. But if that's not available to you, the main thing is to know the procedure is absolutely fine.

Thickened lining sounds like adenomyosis. Have they confirmed that?

Original poster
Waitingwomb · 11/09/2023 07:28

@DustyLee123 I'm sorry for your loss. It's shite.

Thank you everyone who's said it's not painful afterwards - and that the Mirena has helped. That makes me feel better.

@YellowRibbon710 they haven't suggested anenomyosis. I'm 51 and they don't know if I'm peri or post menopausal - I don't have a regular cycle because I'm on the mini pill. But I've had pretty constant 'brown bleeding' since late July. The range of possibilities seems to be hormone imbalance, which the Mirena would sort (and which I've had before). Or there are pre-cancerous cells, and if they found those they might suggest a hysterectomy. He said that like it was an easy option...

OP posts:
janicegarvey · 11/09/2023 15:09

Waitingwomb · 11/09/2023 07:28

@DustyLee123 I'm sorry for your loss. It's shite.

Thank you everyone who's said it's not painful afterwards - and that the Mirena has helped. That makes me feel better.

@YellowRibbon710 they haven't suggested anenomyosis. I'm 51 and they don't know if I'm peri or post menopausal - I don't have a regular cycle because I'm on the mini pill. But I've had pretty constant 'brown bleeding' since late July. The range of possibilities seems to be hormone imbalance, which the Mirena would sort (and which I've had before). Or there are pre-cancerous cells, and if they found those they might suggest a hysterectomy. He said that like it was an easy option...

Sending strength to you as the waiting is hard

Based on your age and what I've been told by the drs it is very likely to be hormonal related

My dr also said that brown irregular bleeding is generally considered less concerning than red. But also even red spotting is often due to a fairly harmless cause particularly in peri menopausal women (however as we all know any irregularities in periods / bleeding needs checking out)

Isitisit · 11/09/2023 15:12

I had one recently. They found and removed a polyp and my period had reduced from 8-10 days in length to 6 days. I woke up with pain like strong period cramps so they gave me painkillers and I was fine.

Giggorata · 11/09/2023 15:17

I had one about two weeks ago, with a numbing gel, pre-dosing on max strength solpadine before the procedure and a large dose of diazepam.
I am the biggest neurotic wimpish mess going when it comes to medical stuff, especially gyny, but got through it OK.
I took some extra solpadine pills with me, as the cramps afterwards were a bit fierce, but thankfully short lived, around ten minutes.

Original poster
Waitingwomb · 11/09/2023 18:36

I'm so grateful to everyone for posting. I didn't expect so many responses. It's made me feel better about the whole thing.

I have to have it under GA because the neck of my womb was too tight to get in without. So I'm worrying about them poking about and causing damage that I won't feel until afterwards (it's mentioned in the risks associated with GA hysteroscopies). But I can't cope with constantly bleeding, and obviously I need to know if it's pre-cancerous so I have to do it.

OP posts:
janicegarvey · 11/09/2023 19:11

Isitisit · 11/09/2023 15:12

I had one recently. They found and removed a polyp and my period had reduced from 8-10 days in length to 6 days. I woke up with pain like strong period cramps so they gave me painkillers and I was fine.

Oh that's better that it has reduced your periods

Riverlee · 11/09/2023 19:16

I had one not under ga, and a couple under ga.

I found the non- ga very uncomfortable, hence having later ones under ga. I think I w a lied line John Wayne afterwards!

The GA ones were fine.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 11/09/2023 19:44

I had it done on my period with no painkillers and I really do not advise that! Wish I'd read this before

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