Hysteroscopy

[MrBallensWife]

I am due to have a Hysteroscopy tomorrow and to be honest I'm shitting myself.Does anyone here have any experience of having the procedure done and how was it?.

I’ve had two a couple of years back. I found them both really ok. I can’t lie, they are unpleasant but the nurses are so kind and will hold your hand throughout. I found it uncomfortable but not painful. I was advised to take painkillers an hour before, which I did. Good luck - it will be fine. 🤞

I've had them. Women's experiences seem to be mixed, some seem to be able to tolerate, others find them very painful and need a GA.
My most recent one was with a local anesthetic but that doesn't anesthetise the whole area unfortunately so I still found it very painful, but the sharp pain lasted only for about maybe 20 seconds. The whole thing was very quick, I was out in 20minutes.
Apparently you're more likely to find it ok if you've had a vaginal birth, i.e. your cervix has been stretched in the past.

Thankyou for replying,how do they anaesthatise the area?,is it via injection or like a gel?.I had a coil fitted many years ago and I was ok with that so I'm thinking it can't be much worse than that can it?,I know they will be having a poke round but surely it can't be much worse?! (I'm desperately trying to convince myself here!)

Aww thankyou 💓
I keep flitting between thinking "be brave and just do it",to "I'll have to ask for sedation" to "I'm asking for a GA" to "fuck it,I can't bring myself to do it!"

i understand - but I would give it a go and if it becomes too painful, ask them to stop. I found the nurses incredibly supportive and they kept checking I was ok. In response to pp - I did have two vaginal births, so maybe that’s why I found it ok. I wouldn’t worry about having another one - but remember to take 2 painkillers an hour before you go. Let us know how you get on.

Hi OP, I had one under general anaesthetic earlier this year. Also had a D&C biopsy.

I have to say that the pain took me by surprise afterwards. I was told to expect mild period pain for a few days afterwards, I ended up needing codeine from my GP and it was a week before I could exercise again. apparently having your endometrial lining scraped out hurts. Who knew!!

But if you are just having the camera in there, it should be fine.

In terms of the reason they are looking, don't worry about it. My consultant took photos and showed me everything after the procedure when I came around, it was absolutely fascinating!

If you are going to be awake for it, you should get to see the camera, it's so cool! (I wish I'd paid more attention in biology at school!!)

Mine was to investigate random bleeding. All was absolutely fine.

i took ibrupofen and cocodamol beforehand and it was tolerable. Probably best to see what happens, they will stop if you need. Good luck.

I had one two weeks ago alongside a biopsy and mirena insert with no anaesthetic/GA. Nurses were great said we could stop at any time and I was in control. It was a bit wince inducing at times but mostly fine.

Ah, mirena insertion / removal is not that different IME so you could be good.
Interesting to hear about the GA experience, I had very mild period type pain after but didn't last long at all, completely forgotten about next day. The bad bit was brief, but my cervix is very 'tight' apparently!

i had one 3 years ago, recall it being uncomfortable but not painful, although that said i was also 10 days post back surgery so it was all difficult.. biopsy taken, polyp diagnosed and then removed (i litterally cannot rememver the removal procedure which is a bit odd as i can remember every other operation i have ever had) anyhow...

i have to have another one on wednesday... fingers crossed its the same as last time.

im 3 years post menopause and have had random bleeding, after ultra sound have found my lining to be 8+ mm so need to have a rummage about and see whats going on

Ok under ga. A bad period pain on waking.
In Nov 23 I could not tolerate it live as I now understand peri was kicking in.
I have today been placed on hrt and told they direct women away from the hospital I was first seen at.

I am going to be very honest. Mine was horrendous and I felt violated. That said, I was on my period so sore and emotional anyway. I called them before to ask if I could have it on my period and they said yes but I was only told to take some paracetamol or something. If I ever had one again I’d want sedation. I will say though that the gynaecologist was really nice and seemed very sorry for putting me through it and I had 3 female staff holding my hands and helping me through it.

Good luck OP. I have one in a couple of weeks but have opted for a GA.

Thanks everyone 🥰
Mines for unexplained bleeding,I went from mid March 2023 until late April 2024 with no period (I'm 48).I presumed I had gone through menopause but no symptoms of anything really apart from the odd bout of insomnia).Mentioned it at my smear last week and was referred to the GP who then referred me straight to the hospital,ultrasound is showing slight thickening of the uterus so hysteroscopy tomorrow.But today I feel like I'm having period cramps again like how I felt before when I came on.
I'm not convinced I've been through menopause because of the lack of symptoms.I just don't know!🤷‍♀️

I do it goes well OP. Mine was bleeding after my periods. I have endometriosis and they found a massive cyst which I’ve just had removed along with my tube. They wanted to rule out polyps. Just giving the background as it might explain why it was so painful. Good luck x

Good luck! I really hope it all goes well fo you. Xxx

I had a polyp removed and a mirena coil inserted. The documentation said i had a d&c as well. In the country I live in they only do the procedure under GA. I don't know why. The procedure took 20 mins. I felt very comfortable after the procedure and only got pain 12 hours later, pumped up with drugs I guess!

I had what felt like period pain for 4 days. I was off work for 3 days. I was mostly ok in the day but in bed by 8pm every day, I felt like I got a headache every evening.

I waited 10 days before going back to exercise.

Apparently spotting is normal for 5-6 weeks

I'm currently sat in my car near the hospital,my stomach is in knots.My appointment is at 10,I've taken 2 ibuprofen,2 aspirin and 2 Paracetamol in preparation.I genuinely don't know what's going to happen when I get in there yet,hopefully I'll be brave enough to just have it done or maybe I'll just crumble and say I can't do it?
My anxiety levels are through the roof at the moment.

i hope it all went well and you have some answers... mines wednesday for pretty much the same thing x keep us posted

Oh lovey I can’t help with experience of this procedure because I’ve not had one but know about anxiety before procedures and wanted to send a handhold

you will be fine and it will be over very soon xxx

Hoping it goes well for you today.

I had one under local anaesthetic and found it somewhat painful but manageable.

Try not to worry. With my last one I was a bit uncomfortable from the speculum but felt nothing else. Actually, they let me look at the screen and showed me my uterus and the entrance to my fallopian tubes which was fascinating- like a pink cathedral- and totally took my mind off everything.
Hopefully all will be fine for you. In any event, it will be over before you know it.

That’s my main memory. Looking at the screen was fascinating. I think every woman’s experience is different but without exception the clinicians are incredibly kind!

Hope it goes well OP...just think in an hour or so it will be behind you.
I'm having one in a few weeks so totally understand the fear!!!

Thankyou all 💓
I haven't been seen yet.
I'm still sat in the waiting area waiting to be called in to see the doctor.The waiting definitely makes it worse x