Hysteroscopy? No horror stories please!

[WellBing]

Hi all
I'm due to have one of these tomorrow under local anaesthetic/ aka....awake!
My anxiety has shot through the roof this afternoon!
I've read many reviews mostly negative.
I've had 2 natural births, all be it the last one almost 14 years ago.

Has anyone had one and found it ok?

Please no horror stories I'm anxious enough!!

Thanks in advance xx

I’ve had two, take some painkillers before you go and try not to stress, I know that’s easier said than done. Both times I’ve been told to tell them to stop at any time I wanted them to and I believed them. I do a lot of yoga and concentrated on my breathing throughout, it is uncomfortable but I felt ok and then meant I could drive myself home when I was ready which was a bonus for me. I’m actually due another one on Monday, which I’m not looking forward to, but it needs to be done.

I had one earlier this year with no anaesthetic and it was absolutely fine. No more discomfort than from a smear test, I'd say. Hope it goes well for you.

I had one a few years ago and it was completely fine. Just slightly uncomfortable and soon over. I must add that I am a complete softy but honestly, it was nothing to worry about. The results were fine too. Good luck.

I’ve had it three times, was given the option of either paracetamol or ibuprofen (can’t remember which). It was no worse than a smear for me and staff were constantly checking I was okay to continue. Talked about holidays with the nurse. Afterwards felt like mild period pain but oddly I’ve been very emotional afterwards. I’m a wimp!
Hope it goes well.

No horror stories from me. I had one with no anaesthetic, just a couple of paracetamol beforehand. It wasn't painful at all, just a slightly weird sensation. Definitely no worse than a smear test. My gynaecologist reckoned that I'd be OK without a GA because I've had three natural births, the last one 27 years ago, and he was right. During the hysteroscopy I had a biopsy, polyp removal and a Mirena coil put in. It was honestly fine, no worse than mildly uncomfortable but definitely not painful.

I had one in January. I took painkillers before I had it done and it was fine. A bit uncomfortable during it but nothing that I would call painful, and I was a bit crampy afterwards.

Getting my hips into the right position and a camera near my bottom was worse than the pain of the hysteroscopy! It really wasn't too bad. Certainly no worse than a well performed smear.

I really do think you'll be fine 🙂.

Yes had one two years ago to remove uterine polyps and remove coil, replace new coil.

All took 5 minutes. Weird but not painful.
Bit like having an enema as they used water to inflate the womb area so they can do their thing nice and quick.

Lovely nurses who distracted me by talking about pets.

Apparently earbuds with the radio on and a podcast is a great distraction to stop you over focusing on what's going on down below.

Just keep thinking 'it'll be over in a few minutes, and think about your next shopping list of something.

Thank you so, so much lovely ladies for your prompt replies 🥰💖 I really appreciate it. Us women are super amazing aren't we?!! 🙌🏻😍
Drama Alpaca I think I may need a polyp removing too and also the marina I've agreed to so it was very helpful you telling me that thank you xx

I had my third one recently. Never had any anaesthetic just own paracetamol. It is physically invasive but not painful. This time gas and air was available which gave me something to do. They also have a nurse dedicated to hold your hand and talk nicely to you. Best of luck.

I had one a few years ago with no anaesthetic... they did threaten me with a local at one point, but there was no way that needle was going anywhere near my cervix. Removed a polyp and whole procedure took about an hour and was honestly fine. It did hurt a bit at times, but I felt in control, was able to watch the screen and ask questions. Actually found the experience fascinating and weirdly empowering (I'm afraid I gave short shrift to the nurse who started prattling at me as soon as they started, and seemed to think I might want to hold her hand...) Afterwards I drove myself home, went out for lunch and felt absolutely fine. Would definitely choose this over a general if I needed one again.

I had polyps removed with a LA. They were very nice and said they'd stop anytime I wanted. I've not given birth or even a coil. It was totally painless, to my astonishment. I'm a real wimp too. Just needed a pad for a few hours afterwards.

I had an hysteroscopy this morning. The aftercare leaflet said you should generally be able to return to work after 24-48 hours. After a 40 min procedure including discussion of my options (depending on biopsy results), a 30 min journey home, an hour treated to lunch out by my son I was logged back in to work about 3hrs after my appointment start time.

I wouldn’t say it was pleasant & it definitely was quite uncomfortable at times. I was told to take 2 paracetamol 1hr beforehand & because they had to rummage around for a while I was given a local anaesthetic. I have no idea how this was administered - I definitely didn’t feel anything like a needle - but as it contained adrenaline I was a bit shaky afterwards. I was driven there & home but could probably have driven back if I’d sat & waited for 30mins ish. As a PP has mentioned I did feel weepy for a very brief while after but only for as long as it took me to get my knickers & trousers back on.

Before & during it was made clear that I was in control & if at any point I wanted to stop then they would.

Worry is understandable but I found the fear of how bad it would be was worse than the actual procedure. Hope all goes ok tomorrow.

You are going to be fine… I know the anticipation is awful. I had mine last year and I’ve had worse smears. It was just….. insignificant, had a lovely lady nurse hold my hand all the time and felt sheepish with that. Think positive … you’ve got this xx

I’ve had 2 under local and it’s been fine. Plenty of painkillers and try to relax (like when you’re having a smear) and it will be easier. IIRC, I had to ball my fists and stick them under my bum cheeks to prop myself up into the right position the last time. Little bit of stinging (like mild cystitis) and tiny bit of blood afterward but I was fine apart from that.

My MIL had it done and had the completely opposite experience and found it awful, but I’d bet that she was very anxious about it, so was tensed up, and that made it harder.

It's not fun, but it's fine. The clinicians will be so lovely as they were with me I'm sure; even offered to hold my hand. Good luck, it'll be done before you know it.

I had one with no anaesthetic.
I have never had a dilated cervix as I had c sections without labouring.
I was unable to tolerate mirena coil insertion yet I found the hysteroscopy was actually OK.
My advice is to go in expecting it to be fine.

With the first one there was a sharp pain for about two seconds when they did the biopsy and that was it. Able to drive home afterwards so the couple of seconds discomfort was worth it. I'd heard all the horror stories but I've had another one since and there was no pain at all. Honestly, for me, the worst bit was waiting for the water to drain back out - not dignified at all😀

I had one a few years ago. They removed a polyp and took a biopsy. I had been sent the wrong info with the appointment letter so hadnt realised that was what the appt was for and so didn't take any paracetamol. I had no pain relief in hospital. It was absolutely fine, definitely no pain and watched it all on the monitor. I think saline (?) was used at the same time which made it comfortable. Slight nick when they did the biopsy but that was all. Try not to worry, it will be over in no time and good luck

Just wanted to add that the mirena coil insertion I couldn't tolerate was previously at my gp's.
I think when you go to a hospital department where they're exclusively doing this sort of thing, they have really fine tuned their technique and seem to have tricks up their sleeves to make it as painfree as possible.

So I've had 3 and found the first 2 incredibly painful - not saying this to scare you, but just to say that I asked for a spinal block for my 3rd one and it was brilliant! Completely pain free and I was awake (although did ask for some light sedation after a few minutes, so snoozed through it!) and I felt great afterwards - was able to go home as soon as the feeling in my bum and legs came back.

I will never have another gynae procedure without a spinal now - there are options other than local anaesthetic/general anaesthetic and it's OK to ask if you struggle with the pain.

I hope all goes well and it's OK for you 😊

Mine was fine. I was worried beforehand.

I only had a local anaesthetic in the cervix. The only uncomfortable bit was the speculum going in - I have vaginitis.

The gynae did the hysteroscopy, took a "more extensive biopsy" and inserted a Mirena coil. [No pain or discomfort for any of that.]

I was astonished at how well it went: I was 64 and I've never given birth.

Thank you again ladies, you've no idea how much this post has settled my nerves. Just want it out of the way now 🙏🤞💖 xx

Hey all, I had this and survived! 🤣 Can't pretend it was nice but I do suffer from anxiety so it was hard to relax. I had gas and air which helped a lot. There were 5 of us and I was 5th so I think the waiting caused me more anxiety than had I gone first.
I would say it was more uncomfortable than it was painful.

Thanks again for all of your support, it really did help. X

Well done @WellBing !