Agonising hysteroscopy

[CoralPanda]

Hi I had a hysteroscopy recently for post menopausal bleeding. They told me it would be a bit uncomfortable and pinch a bit. They just said to take a paracetamol before I went in.

So I went in thinking it would be like a smear, bit uncomfortable and invasive but no big deal. Couldn’t have been more wrong! The second they started trying to shove past my cervix it was like an agony I’ve never felt in my life. The nurse just kept saying oh don’t worry that’s the worst bit over you’re doing so well. I thought it was going to pass out from the pain then it got worse! They took a biopsy with absolutely no pain relief and I went grey so they stopped because they thought I was going to pass out.

Has anyone else had this barbaric procedure done?? I want to make a complaint but my husband says I’m being over the top and it’s a legitimate medical procedure

Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy has now collated 7500 cases of women undergoing painful hysteroscopies without anasthetic and in some cases told to put up and shut up. One medic even admitted that they would not be attempting the equivilant procedure without GA on a man.

Video
https://x.com/HysteroscopyA/status/1850447745506525290

I had one done about 12 years ago to remove uterine polyps. Thank goodness I had it done privately - the consultant asked me how stoic I was, I said "not very" so he put me down for a GA. I assume you are only under for minutes anyway, it can't take very long, so it's hardly high risk.

I wonder though if insurance companies will pay for it if the NHS has started forcing women to have it without?

I know that this is an old thread, but wanted to comment on this post.
It had nothing to do with a ‘high pain threshold’ and actually the term is quite damaging as it makes people feel like they are being silly in finding something painful.
We now know that pain is extremely complex and multi factorial in its causes. For procedures like a hysteroscopy, it is likely that individual anatomy and other issues contribute to how painful it is. It isn’t necessarily just that some people tolerate pain more readily, but that for some it will just probably hurt a lot more or less.

I learnt from later posts that this very much depends on anatomy and e.g. if you've had children. So apologies. But I really didn't appreciate being told to FO by a previous poster for accurately describing my own experience. Why can't we politely educate each other (as other posters helpfully did)?

Apparently its all inflammotory and incorrect.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5400268-to-think-that-if-you-cancel-on-the-day-with-the-nhs-you-should-be-put-to-the-bottom-of-the-list?page=21&reply=147966041

I'd like to know also. Does anyone know?

If I had to have it done I'd insist on sedation, just like my recent gastroscopy and colonoscopy (both on same day). Felt nothing, and had a great sleep that night too.

But then again gastroscopy and colonoscopy apply to males and females. I am suspect that certain prostate/urology invasive tests such as TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) are given with sedation or it is offered, but I'm not sure about NHS policy. Either way it's back to the barber pole if not offered routinely for such male and female tests. I just wouldn't have a hysteroscopy without sedation, and I also don't know why GA is the preferred method if it is offered. Surely sedation is easier for everyone.

I had 10mg diazepam and had and air through mine. Can’t remember a thing. I’ve fallen for the “it’s a little uncomfortable” line before and it has left me with PTSD regarding Gynaecology. If it weren’t for the diazepam I wouldn’t even get as far as attending for the appointment - and I don’t have health anxiety. It’s a national disgrace and they should not mislead any woman with the idea that it is only mildly uncomfortable. For the same reason as PP I wont even entertain having a coil, which would be a great option over HRT for me. I’ve read horror stories about those too. I’m a big researcher now so I make sure I’ve read real life experiences before undertaking any procedure. Mumsnet/Chat GPT is your friend in this regard. Good luck 🤞