Hysteroscopy

[niadainud]

I've just found out I have polyps and so will have to have a hysteroscopy. I'm feeling worried about the pain and in case the polyps aren't benign.

Would be grateful for any reassurance or advice, perhaps anything anyone found to be particularly helpful during the procedure - or before, such as taking painkillers in advance.

I'd prefer to have it without a general anaesthetic but I'm still sore four hours after the scan which wasn't meant to be painful at all, and the surgery will be worse, so isn't looking likely.

I had this done and honestly it was fine. It was uncomfortable but not painful - just felt some cramping. I had a nurse holding my hand and talking to me throughout. I had three large polyps removed and thankfully all was ok. Good luck. Just remember to take painkillers an hour before your appointment.

Understand how worrying this can be... sorry you are feeling like this. I had the same procedure and honestly a smear was worse. No issue at all, hoping you get the same experience 🙏🏻 xx

I had a general anaesthetic due to the high location of polyps and a tilted womb. Literally no pain after, at all.

Benign biopsy too. The results took a couple of months to come through and only because after emailing and leaving messages, I turned up in person and did not leave til someone promised to get the consultant to send me the results and even then it was 2 weeks after I made the fuss.

I had hysteroscopy to rule out polyps. There weren’t any but honestly I felt violated. It was very painful. It was the second day of my period though

Thank you for the responses. I'll chat it through with my GP.

I know it isn't what you want to hear but there is evidence that 1 in 3 women experience severe pain (7+ out of 10) during the procedure. If you are in pain following a scan it sounds like you could be at risk of falling into the group.

I stopped the procedure as it was too painful for me and had it done under a GA. Very quick recovery from that and no pain when I woke up. In and out of hospital very quickly.

If you can talk it through with someone that's great. Unfortunately though you probably won't know until it's part way through. Do tell them to stop if it gets too much. I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks. I think it's going to end up being a GA - or maybe sedation if they offer that.

My only advice is to have a GA. The pain of trying to do without was worse than childbirth ime. Good luck.

I had one a few months ago, without any pain relief (other than taking paracetamol an hour or so beforehand) and quite honestly, if I had to have another one, I would definitely insist on a local anaesthetic. I found it very painful. It didn't take very long, but I wouldn't do it again.

I had this years ago and it was the most painful thing I have ever been through. Worse than labour for me. Sorry, I know it's not what you want to hear but I wish I had known beforehand.
I was close to passing out with the pain and actually crying and writhing in pain but he didn't stop (I was very young, I would insist they stop if the same happened now).
I didn't know about the stat a pp has quoted that it can be severely painful for 1 in 3 women.
I was told by another specialist that it shouldn't really be done without sedation but some surgeons like to "brag" that they can carry out the procedure without any form of sedation.
My case is probably extreme but I would definitely opt for sedation at least, then if that is still too painful, insist on GA.

Just resurrecting this as I now have a date for the procedure. The person I spoke to said I could have a local anaesthetic, but there's no mention of this in the letter.

Has anyone had a hysteroscopy with a local? Did it work?

I had a hysteroscopy with local, it was fine a bit uncomfortable with the injection but then goes numb, had a nurse holding my hand so that helped and she talked to be throughout the procedure. I'd much rather be in and out in an hour and I was straight back to work after with no problems.

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I had mine, no mention of general or local on the letter, just told to take a paracetamol an hour beforehand, I took co codemol thinking that's all my pain relief 🥲 so I was happy to have a local.

I had it with a spinal. I wouldn’t have it without either that or a general - I tried without and it was too painful. With the spinal it was very straightforward, bit of pain when they did the spinal and then nothing at all. No real pain on recovery. Took a few hours for my legs to come back to life and then home.

Did anyone have a hysteroscopy with biopsy? If so, how long did you bleed for? I am having on off light bleeding six days on. Internet gives varying answers on this.

I had hysteroscopoy last year. I was advised to take pain relief beforehand if not having a local. It was fine. It was painful for a few moments because I had two polyps. It was decided to do a biopsy too. That was like a sharp stinging pain that lasted about half a minute. I was offered a local or to come back to have it done under a GA but just wanted it over with. Staff were lovely. I had a cup of tea and biscuits after and stayed for 45 mins so I could be watched but I was fine to drive home. Felt like bad period pains for rest of night but fine again next day. Had slight bleeding for three days after. Everyone is different and a lot depends on the tilt of your womb. One of the nurses asked me how I find smear tests which are never a bother.

Sadly it seems that they don't routinely offer any pain relief because they want you to do it without.

You need to ask in advance of the proceedure, not on the day. I phoned the consultants secretary.

I had mine with a GA as I haven't had children and find smears dreadful, both of which are indicators I would find hysteroscopy difficult.

If 1 out of 3 find it very painful, then it means 2 out of 3 find it tolerable (not pain free). You won’t know which group you are in until you try. It’s seems worth a go to get it done quickly in a clinic setting rather than waiting for surgery.

I had one in July with a local anaesthetic. I felt the needle, but brief and much better than a dental injection. I then felt nothing and had quite an extensive MyoSure procedure.
I think being prepared is helpful, and don’t be afraid to ask for Entonox or for them to stop if you aren’t coping.

I had a hysteroscopy and biopises taken. It was incredibly painful, and I felt violated and traumatised afterwards.
I really, really hope that I never need to have one again, but would insist on GA if I did.

I had one with a Myosure procedure for a womb full of polyps and had a biopsy taken. I forgot to take painkillers beforehand as advised, and although it was painful at times, it was tolerable for me. My polyps did have early stage cancer so I'm glad I didn't wait for a GA appointment.

I had 2 biopsies taken and had hardly any bleeding at all, just a very light show when I wiped a few times and that was it.

Yeah, it's not heavy : it's just always there and kind of crampy. But I just had my gallbladder out too so have some general stomach pain anyway.

Thanks.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but where did they inject the anaesthetic?

Thank you. What is Entonox?

I'm trying to find out in advance. I only got the letter on Friday afternoon and when I rang I was told everyone had already left.