Hysteroscopy

I had a Hysteroscopy 7 days ago at my local hospital in Devon as an Outpatient. The outcome 2 small polyps removed and a biopsy sample taken. Reason for procedure was 40 days of post menopausal HRT bleeding. I have not had children and am carrying several stones too much weight.

The pre op letter said I could eat and take pain killers before. I chose not to as it was 9.30am and a previous polyp removal in Abergavenny 2013 had been under GA so I thought I'd have options this way.

2 Nurses and a Specialist Nurse were present, all appeared kind and caring. Time was taken to discuss HRT Oestrogen reduction and possibility of a coil.

I was nervous, but nothing written in my letter of invitation or pre op conversation gave any hint of how awful this procedure would feel. What felt like 20 mins into the procedure I mustered the ability through half closed eyes, white knuckles and a small voice to ask 'how long left?' At this point I was offered anaesthetic gel or injection. I opted for gel as I couldn't face anything  even more invasive, but if what I experienced was a dummed down pain, wow!

I am tearful as I write this and shocked/reassured to read other women's experiences. A nurse held my hand from start to finish, another stroked my back and operated the tilt of the bed as I swung between almost fainting and vomiting at the end of the procedure. My legs were open and uncontrolably quivering, I was cold...was I in shock? I used every ounce of will power to get dressed, struggled to text my husband waiting down the corridor, just wanted to be transported away by any means. I felt weak and vulnerable, being guided by him through the corridors to the exit,  my eyes half closed and trying to breath through my Covid face protection.

I will never do that again. Socially we don't accept some procedures that take place on women in other parts of the world and yet this is ok? Please NHS, reconsider how this procedure is performed, particularly for women who have not had children.

 

 

It’s very kind of you to share your experience with us. How absolutely awful, it’s shocking to hear. The staff ‘appeared kind and caring’ was such a telling phase. From what you outline, they must have seen how much pain and distress you were in. I agree with you, we must ensure that women are provided with the information and support they need, so that women don’t experience such avoidable pain. The guidance is there, it needs to be followed. 
 

Thank you again and sending you my very best wishes. Helen 

Hi, everyone, I am waiting for to have a hysteroscopy, I am going through the menopause and have not had a period since 2014, I did have spotting a couple of yrs ago and mentioned it to my Dr, but wasn't to concerned after I said it was only a little bit and that it was pinky/brown in colour. but a couple of months ago I had some more bleeding but was a bit more than just spotting it was only one day but after trying to get an appointment to see a Dr they said they would send my details to the hospital and I should be sent an appointment within 2 weeks, I then had a CT scan and was told I needed an internal but as it was a man I refused he said the scan showed a slight thickening of my womb, I was then sent to another dept to see  a lady gynecologist but didn't get to see her as she was off that day through her kids having covid! they said they would book me back in and I would have to have a hysteroscopy, I asked what that was the nurse said it was a tube inserted inside of  me with a camera on it and another tube which would take a small biopsy if needed, I asked where that would be done? oh just in this room in that chair! the room was tiny not decorated nice at all didn't look calming or relaxing, the chair was not very dignifying, the nurse said you will feel a little discomfort but if you take paracetamol an hour before the procedure you will be ok! anyway I came home and looked up on google and you tube what a hysteroscopy entailed and found this hub and I am so pleased I did, how barbaric is this treatment! it's disgusting that women are being put through torturous  pain and not being offered substantial pain relief, I have M.E and Fibromyalgia which makes me more sustainable to pain plus I have been fobbed off after having 2 fentons procedures and not being able to enjoy intercourse since I had my daughter 36 yrs ago, ( this is another topic I'd like to discuss!)  anyway i had to have my smear test about 2 months before this bleeding and they struggled getting the speclum in as I am in so much pain, even then the dr still kept pushing the speclum in even though i was asking her to stop! so as you can now get a picture had I not seen your page on you tube and found out it is my choice and should be offered a G.A  I wasn't and I would have gone to this procedure like a lamb to the slaughter, as it is I have told them I want a G.A  so now  I am still waiting for my pre assesment!  my scan was 26th October and I am no father forward and worrying why i was bleeding and what has caused an endometrial thickening 

yours sincerely K.L.