Is a Hysteroscopy always awful?

Hello, 

I am going in for a hysteroscopy tomorrow afternoon, after irregular vascularities of my uterus were found on my ultrasound. 
 

I have the choice of an outpatient hysteroscopy tomorrow, or one under GA in 2-3 months time. 
 

I assumed outpatient would be fine, but having read a few experiences online, I am now terrified. I'm very tempted to just wait for the GA. But that would be completely unnecessary if actually the procedure is not so bad. 
 

Have you had a hysteroscopy and if so, please could you share your experience with me. 

  • I didn't find the actual hysteroscopy any worse than having a smear - rather uncomfortable but not painful. I had been told to take painkillers before my appointment. You basically have to remove clothing from lower body and then sit in a chair which has two separate footrests and the chair lifts you into position. I had a nurse beside me the whole time checking I was ok. I was told that gas and air were available if at any time I wanted them. Afterwards I did have some cramping and some spotting. I was told to rest as much as possible for 24 hours - 'lie on the sofa and lift nothing heavier than the remote'. The slight ache and cramping had gone within 48 hours. I had biopsies taken but no polyps or anything removed.  Good luck tomorrow. If you manage smears without a lot of pain, you should be fine

  • How did it go? I've heard that it's too painful for a third of women, so that means it's not too bad for the other 2/3. You're lucky to have been offered a general straight away, I had to fight for one and the waiting list is 53 weeks for me. Fingers crossed I don't have cancer. Fingers crossed you don't either.

  • I had one today ,I found it painful but bearable ,I don't think I'd have another ,it took nearly an hour I had a polyp removed and a biopsy ,they had to give me anathsetic injection ,I would choose GA if I had to have another .

  • Hope it went okay! 
    I had a hysteroscopy recently and it wasn't too bad just slightly uncomfortable! I found having the biopsy was worse and when they put the speculum in was the worst bit 

  • Hi there,

    I hope all went well.  I had an endometrial biopsy and then a full hysteroscopy last year.  I was really worried about it and like an idiot googled.  There are some horror stories out there of people being in agony and having to have a general anaesthetic.  That wasn't my experience at all thankfully.  It was uncomfortable but I can't say it was a painful experience.  I think the Dr injected my cervix with local first which must have done the trick.  For anyone due to have one, try to relax and dont worry too much, it was no more uncomfortable than a smear for me and I'm also a complete wimp with pain!

  • Thank you to everyone who posted a reply.  Like the OP I have scared myself so much from reading about how painful the hysteroscopy is for some people, so it really helps to know that for some it isn't too bad.