Hysteroscopy

[HysteroscopyWorries]

Has anybody, who has not given birth vaginally (failed induction leading to emcs, my cervix was not going anywhere) nor had a coil, had a hysteroscopy without a general anaesthetic? I'm on the urgent referral path and have been told to take 2 paracetamol in advance but am worried it will be agony. Any experience please? TIA

I have had the procedure twice although 2nd time was unsuccessful. They down play it and tell you it’s similar to a smear, it isn’t. I wasn’t prepared for it and freaked out when they said they were giving me a local in my cervix but it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Once I relaxed it was ok and only slightly uncomfortable (slight period pains during and after). I stupidly drove myself in and was a bit shaken after so I went and sat in McDonald’s for half an hour before driving home.

I had one with local anaesthetic injection and tbh it was not nice at all. Bearable, but painful and uncomfortable - I would say like a very bad period pain and cramps?

I would not have a GA as it was 10 minutes max from start to finish and I went to work afterwards, did not feel any discomfort at all. With GA, I was ill from the anaesthetic itself for a couple of days. There are risks connected with having GA and I think this procedure was not worth it.

Thank you again everybody!

Yes I was very nervous about it, and while it was very unpleasant I didn’t find it too painful. I had a nurse who spent the whole procedure making sure I was ok and trying to distract me, the gyne was really nice and checked how I was throughout. Had paracetamol before hand and that was it, but had it become really painful I felt confident I could have asked them to stop.

I insisted on GA as having not had a vaginal birth and having bad period pain are indicators that it can be very painful. I wasn't willing to take the risk frankly.

Under GA you go in for day surgery. So you don't stay in. I left 2 hours after the procedure.

I had one under GA a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't had a vaginal birth (C-section) but had a coil fitted 20 years ago that was horribly painful and took 3 attempts - worse then contractions.
I was in hospital for 5 hours from start to finish and had no pain afterwards at all which I was surprised about. It was a good experience for me and I was happy to wait a bit longer to have a GA.

I had, at the age of 64. Never given birth, widowed for more than 3 years at that point. I have vaginismus. Had never had a coil of any kind.

I had a local anaesthetic into the cervix. A very experienced gynaecologist.

I was very nervous, but I was fine. My GP gave me a prescription for Diazepam - 2mg. One tablet. I also took the OTC meds as advised by the hospital.

Everyone was lovely. I didn't expect a full team, but that's how it was done. No complaints. Didn't feel the biopsy being taken and was surprised when it was over.

ETA The gynae inserted a Mirena coil after taking the biopsy. Didn't feel it at all.

I'll add that I live alone, so a local was better from the point of view that I could go home afterwards.

I was given a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards. Staff insisted on making sure that I was okay to drive. I was.

I assured them that if I was wobbly I'd go to the hospital café first to settle myself, but there was no need.

Maybe ask your gp for prescription for Diazepam - 2mg?

Screamed down West Suffolk hospital Nov 23 when they tried to do this live in the room.
March 23 had a coil inserted under a ga under this unpleasant hysters
copy experience under ga -no fibroid was found although the male gynae consultant lied (they’ve now left) through their teeth.
In July 2024 after non stop bleeding I had this coil pulled out whilst wide awake.

In March 24 I had a uti which a female GP refused to take seriously , just up the HRT was her vibe.

April 2025

Less then a year later after the fibroid was not dealt with, a blood clot and or pulmonary embolism - rushed to theatre and thereafter the fibroid seem to died, the symptoms faded. My period’s returned to normal in my 40’s.

one side of my body has lymphoedema which people want to giggle at - but long may their body parts never swell to uncomfortable.

I believe if someone had taken a fibroid seriously I’d now never have excess body swelling.

I had one in October last year after months of non stop bleeding and I didn't feel a thing, in fact I was surprised when the Gynea said ‘all done’! I suspect it’s because my cervix was open due to passing huge clots anyway. But I’m due another one next month as my problems haven’t resolved yet and for some reason I’m very nervous about it. Hope it goes well for you however you decide to proceed with it.

A different story to many on here. I've had 2, one with no pain relief at all, wasn't expecting to have one, the other about 10 years later with 2 paracetamol beforehand. Biopsies taken at both.

They were both fine. Not pleasant but perfectly bearable. No pain afterwards, just a very small amount of bleeding. I drove myself home after both of them.

Thank you all!

I have had two in separate hospitals.
One was fine but one was a similar pain experience to above.
It was the worst pain ever and that was with the gas and air, I can only liken it to what medieval torture must have been like. Was really traumatised by the experience.

A GP friend has told me since to insist on a general anaesthetic.

I've given birth vaginally twice with no pain relief, but can honestly say my hysteroscopy was more painful. It was the worst experience of my life, and there is no way I would ever have one again without a GA. Saying that, experiences vary widely and you don't know how it's going to be for you until you are in the midst of it. The Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy is helpful, and anecdotally it seems that waits for GA are rarely as long as medics first imply. They try to put patients off GA because it's cheaper for them to do the procedure without it. That doesn't put patient welfare first, though.

Fuck that, request a GA

I've had 3 c sections. (2 EMCS 1 planned).
I had a hysteroscopy 18 months ago. It was painful but pretty quick and I had a nurse trying to distract me when the paipain got bad.
I wasn't offered a GA but understand why some may want one.
I went back to work straight after.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

I was offered GA for both my hysteroscopies and had them within two weeks.

So glad I only saw this thread today! I had a hysteroscopy and 4 polyps removed this morning. Took my paracetamol and ibuprofen before and honestly, hardly any pain at all. I'm talking less than normal period pain for less than 5/6 less than a second snips. Coil insertion hurt slightly more. I know everyone is different, but my dad went to get a coffee as I went in, and I was with him before his coffee arrived. So less than 10 mins. So please anyone reading it dont feel you need a general anaesthetic. I guess some do, but i'm certainly glad I didn't. I found a polyps removed previously during a colposcopy slightly more painful for some reason.

Its not just the GA though is it Some women wont be able to afford a taxi fare to and from the hospital for attempt no 1 and then the same for attempt no 2 if attempt no 1 fails because of immense pain. They arent JUST attempting a painful procedure to try and save money on a GA. In some cases it passes the cost onto the patient

Exactly that
my rule is if they mention discomfort and paracetamol, it’s probably something I want anaesthetic for

1 in 3 women experience severe pain, and you won't know until you're part way through if you will be one of them.
Depending on your doctor, you may be pressured to continue.
I have PTSD from my experience 7 years ago, and the 2nd attempt was done with a GA.
Have a look at the Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy on Facebook before you make an informed decision.

The first was absolutely fine, didn’t feel a thing, except the biopsy made me wince a bit. When I had to go back to have the polyp they found removed, using an only slightly bigger camera, I couldn’t hack it and needed to go back and get it done under GA.

Now I’ve got to go back for another one and I’ve no idea what to expect this time

I’ve just had that done this week under GA. I was in and out the same day and the operation took 1.5 hours. I’ve previously had other gynae procedures awake and it was really unpleasant so I opted for GA and I’m glad I did.