Hysteroscopy procedure - painful?

Good afternoon 

I have been booked in for a hysteroscopy to look at fibrous changes and polyps with the potential of removal of a polyp. I was given the leaflet that explained that I would have a local anaesthetic and it would be uncomfortable and period like pain abd reassured I would be able to tolerate it.

I have never given birth as had three c sections and flowing the colposcoly appt today told my cervix hole is extremely small and that would be probably why babies didn't want to enter the world in the natural way

 Could I ask you lovely ladies for your experience of having hysteroscopy and what the pain was actually like because at this moment of time I am extremely nervous and debating asking for a general anaesthetic.

Many thanks for your help and advice 

  • Hi

    I just did one today for the first time. I had never given brith. I was very worried I wouldn't be able to do it because of the pain. I told her I find smear tests very painful even with the smallest speculum and I generally bleed after one. The person who did the hysteroscopy reassured me saying it's nothing like a smear test, no speculum will be used and it's gentler in a way.

    She told me before she started that she was not sure whether she will be able to get through the cervix as she suspected I have a small cervix hole. Amazingly I didn't feel anything when the hysteroscope was going in. I only realised it was through when she said it's in and she said she was very surprised how smooth it went through. Mine lasted only a few minutes - I had no biopsy or polyps removal. I did feel very intense pressure in the lower tummy towards the end and she hurriedly removed the hysterescope as she saw I was in pain. I don't have any pain after the procedure, just some very mild 'period like' sensation.

    I'm pleasantly surprised I must say - I was expecting a lot of pain similar to smear tests. Of course each person is different but hopefully you will be able to tolerate it. If it's too much, don't hesitate to tell them, they will stop. I was also advised to take some painkillers at least 1 hr before, which I did. So, maybe it helped too.

    Hope this helps and good luck!