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Original poster

Hysteroscopy Advice

61 replies

adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 19:49

I'm booked in to have a hysteroscopy on Thursday - I was offered GA and turned it down because I'm quite anxious about GA, but I've since read some horror stories and now I'm wondering if that was a mistake.

Does anyone have any advice please?

For context, I'm 33YO, the procedure will be done privately (not sure if that makes a difference?) and I'm likely to be on my period for it. They will be taking a biopsy as well.

Any advice..? Current plan is to have local anaesthetic to numb the cervix...

Should add I do have health anxiety (hence being concerned about GA)

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/01/2025 19:53

Ask if gas and air is available. My sister had a bad experience and said it felt like giving birth

ploppiness · 05/01/2025 19:57

Mine was like a mild period cramp but a lot of others have experienced differently. If I had another I'd probably have a GA after a lot of reading

Original poster
adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 20:50

@dementedpixie sounds awful!

I think I've been a bit hasty so I've emailed to ask if it's too late for general.

Thanks also @ploppiness

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 05/01/2025 21:02

I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy with a spinal anaesthetic. Would that be less anxious for you? I was fully conscious throughout (although very relaxed and uninterested in what was going on 😆) and didn't feel a thing. Recovery takes long er than GA (and is quite peculiar although not horrible) but you can drive next day, whereas with GA you are recommended not to drive for 58hrs.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 05/01/2025 21:11

If you do a search you might find a longer thread from the middle of last year, lots of women shared their experiences of having it done under both LA and GA.

From memory, experiences were very mixed under LA so it's hard to say - you'll find some reassuring stories but others not so much.

I had a GA and wouldn't do it any other way, I guess health anxiety manifests itself in different ways.

I hope it goes well and you get the all clear quickly - it's an incredibly stressful time.

RunningJo · 05/01/2025 21:12

I’ve had hysteroscopies in the past under GA. You can change your mind if you’d feel better doing it that way.
It’s hard to say how you’ll be with the procedure as everyone is different, I’ve had a friend who breezed through it, and often people do,
But I find smears painful so opted for a GA.

Pippatpip · 05/01/2025 21:15

The GA will be very light. Have it. I was ok without but the woman before me came out looking grey.

ChristmasLightsLover · 05/01/2025 21:16

I had this in November, privately. I definitely recommend GA. It was weird when I woke up. I was confused. But 30 minutes later I felt much better. I was on my way home 3 hours after waking up.

Sending love and non MN hugs. It's hard to do any of this with health anxiety. Bless you.

Pigeonqueen · 05/01/2025 21:23

You can have a spinal which is in between the GA and the local. I had it with a spinal and it was absolutely fine. You have an injection into your spine and then you don’t feel anything from the waist down. It’s like an epidural but it’s one injection rather than them leaving the needle in.

Original poster
adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 21:34

Thank you all, you're all so kind! I've just re-read the documents the hospital sent me, and it looks like I'll have a conversation with the anaesthetist on the day to come to a joint decision, but I've already had the call with the consultant where I was supposed to decide how I wanted to go ahead?

@Pippatpip this is a really stupid question but what do you mean by light? As in less is needed because it's a short procedure rather than someone undergoing surgery for hours? So therefore less risky..? My husband suggested similar which does sound ok I think.

@Pigeonqueen is that like for a c section? Do you need a catheter..?

Sorry for context, I have had a c section before

OP posts:
Original poster
adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 21:34

@ChristmasLightsLover do you wake up with a tube in your throat..? I hate the idea of this!

OP posts:
ChristmasLightsLover · 05/01/2025 21:36

@adviceplease1238 No. No tube. You're only out for 45 mins at most. It's ok. Bless you noodle. I know it's scary to think about but I was really nervous and came through it xx

SlapTheMelon · 05/01/2025 21:37

I've had it down both ways. LA feel has crampy but was fine for me. GA I didn't feel a thing.

Original poster
adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 21:37

@ChristmasLightsLover this is very helpful and reassuring, thank you!

I have emailed and asked if it's too late to change my mind!

OP posts:
ChristmasLightsLover · 05/01/2025 21:38

@adviceplease1238 Let me be clearer. I did not have a tube in at any time. You get to talk about this on the day. And you can call ahead.

I had a cannula which hurt as they did it. But they can put cream on to numb beforehand. Insist on the back of your hand or in your arm. Not on your inner wrist as that's most bruising.

ChristmasLightsLover · 05/01/2025 21:39

Strangers @adviceplease1238 You are the customer. You get to change your mind, ask questions and be cared for xx

MrsPeregrine · 05/01/2025 21:43

I’ve had 3 hysteroscopys. The first one was under a GA. Walk in the park, no issues. Yes I was scared about having a GA but that was the only downside. The 2nd and 3rd were fully awake with a painkiller that was injected into my cervix (I think). The 2nd experience was awful. It was extremely painful. I’m not sure why the pain was so bad but of all the gynae procedures I’ve had, that was the worst. The so-called nurse who was in attendance was very cold and uncaring which didn’t help. The 3rd time I was extremely nervous because of what happened the 2nd time and the doctor and nurse were absolutely lovely. They did ever they could to reassure me and help me to relax and it was so much easier than the second time. I think my cervix and/ womb went into spasm the 2nd time and that’s why I was in so much pain.

Original poster
adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 21:43

@ChristmasLightsLover this sounds ok, I'm not overly bothered with the idea of cannula actually (strangely!).

This is a very good point about being the 'customer'. I hadn't really thought about it like that. Private option is a recent thing and I've not had any treatment on it before.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, thank you!

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 05/01/2025 21:44

With a spinal anaesthetic, you have a numbing injection in the spine (felt a bit sharp) then they do the actual anaesthetic (felt pressure but no pain). No catheter or anything like that. The anaesthetist stayed with me throughout and checked how I was feeling.

Recovery was weird. Very very shivery - they brought me warmed towels from a magic bottomless cupboard of warm towels. Then into a ward waiting for the feeling to come back. It's a few hours, take a book and some snacks. It felt like tingly heat moving slowly down my legs. Once you can stand they want you to wee before you leave (using a walking frame to get to the bathroom), to make sure you're fully functioning again.

oharibo · 05/01/2025 21:52

I had one last year. I have a very low pain threshold, I was so nervous but it was fine. Some period like cramps but totally bearable.

GA carries many risks and for me it would definitely have been unnecessary problem is you don't really know how you'll find it until you have it done

I would definitely try without GA

Pigeonqueen · 05/01/2025 22:09

adviceplease1238 · 05/01/2025 21:34

Thank you all, you're all so kind! I've just re-read the documents the hospital sent me, and it looks like I'll have a conversation with the anaesthetist on the day to come to a joint decision, but I've already had the call with the consultant where I was supposed to decide how I wanted to go ahead?

@Pippatpip this is a really stupid question but what do you mean by light? As in less is needed because it's a short procedure rather than someone undergoing surgery for hours? So therefore less risky..? My husband suggested similar which does sound ok I think.

@Pigeonqueen is that like for a c section? Do you need a catheter..?

Sorry for context, I have had a c section before

No catheter. I specifically didn’t want one because I have bladder issues and it causes me infections so I asked about it during my pre op and they said it was such a short procedure I wouldn’t need one. They put a pad under you afterwards just incase you do leak a little (no big deal) and then gradually the feeling comes back in your legs and you can go for a wee etc.

Ive had a c section too but the spinal wears off more quickly than when you have an epidural for the c section. I was up and having a wee a couple of hours later.

TTCNO2AT44 · 05/01/2025 22:14

I've had one with myosure procedure at the same time under local. I couldn't have GA as I was full of cold but needed the procedure due to retained pregnancy products 4 weeks after the loss of our baby. I honestly didnt feel a thing. I have severe health anxiety, I was already in a bad place mentally and I was terrified but mine was carried out in a theatre, I've heard they can be carried out in a more clinical setting which isn't as daunting.

Despite my anxiety the procedure itself was fine. But I started bleeding unexpectedly and quite heavily once it was over and needed oxytocin and tranexamic acid to stop it. It got quite frightening. I think it's uncommon for that to happen and my circumstances are likely very different to yours but had I been asleep I'd not be terrified of procedures as I am now. I need another in the coming months to check for scarring as a result from the procedure, I'll be asking for sedation as a bare minimum.

Good luck, I'm certain you won't have the same experience as me, but wanted to share mine as staying awake leaves you aware of all the medical terminology, and what's going on (or not so well) in the room.

SirChenjins · 05/01/2025 22:16

I had a GA - it was an absolute breeze and am very glad I did. I was in and out, and back on the ward before I knew it. I wasn’t prepared to see if I could tolerate something as barbaric sounding (imo) so opted for a GA when it was offered.

ThisWorthyDog · 05/01/2025 22:25

i had one. GA wasn’t offered. It’s not pleasant, I was expecting it to be awful as I stupidly looked at some experiences on you tube. It was a couple of minutes of pain, very similar to contractions. It lasted less than 5 mins. I was able to walk home (40 mins) on one of the hottest days of the year, although I wouldn’t recommend this. Very little blood lost. There is actually a petition out there to get this procedure done in GA for everyone.

Overthehill123 · 05/01/2025 22:28

I had one in the summer

I was terrified, everyone was telling me to have a GA (which wasn’t actually offered to me) but the thought of being put to sleep terrified me even more so I thought I’d go and see how I tolerate it and if I can’t then I’ll ask for it to stop and ask to rebooked under GA.

I can honestly say it was uncomfortable but not painful, the worst part was the speculum that stayed in for the whole procedure but completely tolerable. I had some biopsy’s which again felt pinchy but not painful and it was all done in about 15 minutes.

I can totally see why people opt for the GA, but I’d heard so many horror stories so just wanted to put a positive one out there