Hi and thank you for your post

I was sorry to learn that you experienced a lot of pain and discomfort during your hysteroscopy and that now because of this you will also be cancelling your planned colonoscopy. 

I was unsure of your situation or why you are having a colonoscopy. It is worth having a chat with the team at the hospital who have arranged your colonoscopy or your GP as they will be able to talk through the options of having sedation or if there may be another less invasive way to look at your bowel for example they may be able to do a CT scan instead.

You mentioned that you are writing to the NHS and your MP. You may have seen this already but you can find out more about making a complaint on the NHS website page How to complain to the NHS. It may also be worth contacting your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who will also be able to advise you about the hospital complaint procedures where you had the procedure done, should you choose to go down this route.

I hope you can get a response to your concerns soon.

Take care, all the best

Jemma

I know this is an old post but just wanted to reply and say I know how you feel. I'm searching for alternatives to hysteroscopies myself. I thought you might like to know that it is possible to have this procedure done with spinal anaesthetic, if that's something you'd consider. That way you'd be free of pain but awake so you are aware of what is going on and therefore you might feel more in control of the situation. Studies have shown that hysteroscopies performed under spinal are also much better in terms of pain relief afterwards, with women who had them done that way reporting much less pain (if any at all) than women having it done under GA. This makes sense if you think about it because you'll be still numb from the waist down for hours after the procedure.

As for alternative diagnostic tools for endometrial cancer there are some in development. There is one currently in use in Austria which is similar to a smear test. They just take cells from the vagina to test. This particular test is not available yet in the UK, even though it was developed here. They hope it soon will be. There is another one also in development which is a simple urine test. Again, not available as yet but hopefully it will be one day. I am in full agreement with you that these tests need to replace hysteroscopies for diagnostic purposes. Not only would they be much cheaper, they truly are minimally invasive. Hysteroscopies should never be described that way. However, as it stands a biopsy is the only current way to diagnose, which means hysteroscopy. Although I have heard of some women where hysteroscopy has been attempted and completely failed because of scar tissue or just an inability to gain access to and visualise the uterus. Those women are then referred for an MRI. An MRI will only pick up more advanced cancer but it might be worth asking about it.

Let me know if you went ahead with anything and how it was. Currently deciding myself what to do.

I find myself in a similar position to you. 

I feel pressured into having a hysteroscopy because my endometrial lining is thicker than it should be and I have a fibroid/polyp.

I was booked in and waiting for the procedure to be done under a GA, and talking with the patient next to me, discovered that this was her 3rd!!

I was told by the consultant that there is a rare but possible chance of a side effect (puncture of the abdomen)... well I had maxillo surgery that had a rare chance of side effects and it resulted in my having numbness in my face and teeth for 10 years, so I'm very wary of rare side effects. The consultant also said that they can't always see what's going on, and if that's the case they would send me for an MRI scan to show them exactly what's going on. 

I got dressed and walked out of the hospital without having the hysteroscopy done. 

I'm asking for the MRI scan instead, but they are very hesitant to agree. 

I've been in pain for the last week, and really just want a scan to know what's going on.  

Why are the health professionals so blasted unhelpful in women's health particularly? 

Hello Debaroni and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about your situation and the anxiety that this must be causing you.

The hysteroscopy does give the doctors an opportunity to see the lining of the womb and polyps in more detail and if necessary they will be able to take a biopsy. 

An MRI may not be the best test to find out the cause of your symptoms and they would not be able to take a biopsy if they felt that this was necessary.

Doctors have guidelines when women present with symptoms and they need to inform a patient of any complications however small the risk may be.

I do hope that you have a chance to go through your worries with your consultant and you find the best test moving forward to help get to the bottom as to what is causing your symptoms.

You are very welcome to ring and discuss this with one of the nurses on the helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the best,

Catherine

I can totally understand where you are coming from. Like you u have had three c sections and only had a short lavour woth my first so was never fully dilated. I was blindsided into having an hysteroscopy in 2020 and was refused a general because of covid. I had gas and air but  vowed I would never ever again have anyone do that to me. It is barbaric and they dont stop once they have started. 

Recently I have had some pist menopausal bleeding and within a week had a transvaginal scan which hurt like hell and within two day practically railroaded into having a hysteroscopy. 

I refused this time so was offered a general which I accepted was the best course of treatment as they really need that biopsy. Recovery has be worse but I'm glad I did it and although my fandango is still a bit tender at least I will know shortly the definitive answer. 

I really empathise as I am really of a mind now to refuse any other treatment should I need it. 

I really don't see why in this day and age we have to suffer such horrific procedures and also feel completely undignified and demoralised by having them. 

I hope they can do something for you I truly do. X