Pain relief and informed decision making for outpatient hysteroscopy (Good Practice Paper No. 16)

Summary

Hysteroscopy is a common and valuable intervention to diagnose and treat gynaecological conditions arising in the uterus.

Many women have an acceptable experience of outpatient hysteroscopy, with pain levels tolerable to them and rapid recovery. However, it is important to recognise that hysteroscopy can cause severe pain and be traumatic for women. This is difficult to predict. Therefore, units need to share with women clear, accurate and relevant, written and verbal information.

This Good Practice Paper from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has been written for healthcare professionals who are involved in providing outpatient hysteroscopy with the aim of achieving optimal outcomes for women.