"Hysteroscopy pain"

I had an outpatients appt for a hysteroscopy from a 10 day cancer referral, having experienced ongoing pain and some bleeding ten years after starting the menopause aged 36.

I was given a leaflet which advised I should take some painkillers an hour or so before which I did.

As I am very curious I also googled the procedure before my appointment and was surprised to read of many women experiencing severe pain. I tried to dismiss this as an unfortunate minority.

On the day of the appointment I had an ultrasound and internal examination and then went for my hysteroscopy where I was informed the consultant was delayed. Having waited approx 2 hours I was finally seen by the doctor who was to perform the procedure. We spoke briefly and I gave him some details about my problems. I then asked if it would be painful. He asked me if I had had children, to which I replied yes. He then said it would be no worse than light period pain. How wrong he was! I have never experienced such excruciating agony. Obviously the delay in seeing the consultant meant the effect of any painkillers would have worn off but there is no way over the counter painkillers would touch the searing agony.

The nurses tried to calm me down, but I could feel myself passing out and had tears running down my face.

I was asked at one point if I wanted to stop, but as I was there for a potential cancer referral I had to go through with it.

Fortunately my partner had taken me and was waiting when I went back to the waiting area. 

I was extremely shaken up and sat for a while before trying to walk back to the car. I got as far as the ward door and had to grab the door frame to stop myself from fainting and collapsing. A wheel chair was found and I was wheeled back to wait for another 45 minutes - 1 hour before slowly walking back to the car.

When I got home I went straight to bed and cried myself to sleep.

I have never felt so violated as a woman and am appalled after the fact, to find that so many other women experience similar.