Hysteroscopy St. James’s Hospital, Leeds
Hi, I had a hysteroscopy last week. I have been having brown discharge since January and have had a few courses of pessaries that didn’t work , so was referred to the hysteroscopy department after I had an ultrasound . I previously had this procedure about three years ago with no problems and no pain and the staff were amazing . This time there were a few problems due to my atrophic cervix and when the procedure started I was found to have mucus filling my uterus which complicated things as she said it was not escaping through my cervix . She had to use a dilator but she asked me first if she could use this and then had to use her fingers, but again she asked me if this was ok before anything was attempted . The staff were amazing from start to finish and we had a few jokes about having “ hairdressing” chat . The nurse undertaking the procedure went through everything before it started , introduced the healthcare staff in the room by name and asked if I was okay with a student nurse being present , which I was . I was advised that if I was in any pain or discomfort the procedure could be stopped at any point . Every part of the examination and procedure was explained step by step; the nurse explained exactly what she was doing , what she had found and kept asking if I was okay to carry on . Some parts of the procedure were quite painful - I’d say the worst period pain, but I wanted her to get a biopsy and to remove a polyp so I wanted to carry on . When I got dressed she talked me through what she had found and she said she would ring me with the results, gave me leaflets and contact numbers to ring if I was concerned . It was a long procedure and I felt “wobbly “ afterwards and had a cuppa and a biscuit. I’m still bleeding and it’s day 10 but it is easing now with a few cramps. I can cope well with pain, but the paracetamol advice (on the leaflet I received ) to take an hour beforehand was pretty useless. I was treated with respect and dignity, but possibly could have been offered pain relief or a GA, although I didn’t think it was warranted for myself at any rate. A decision to have a GA wouldn't be down to the staff in clinic anyway, that would possibly be down to hospital policy and consultant.
