"Hysteroscopy - Traumatic for some of us!!!"

I had my first hysteroscopy in February 2019 at Queen Charlottes Hospital, Hammersmith and although the staff were wonderful, I still feel slightly traumatised by the whole experience.

 

I was having the procedure to locate and retrieve (and ultimately replace) a lost IUS Mirena Coil.  I have always found having my coil changed, even in normal circumstances extremely painful, nothing like having a smear test which its often compared to.  Prior to my hospital appointment my GP told me I would be given a cervical block / local anaesthetic prior to the hysteroscopy, which most people found less painful than having the coil changed.

 

When I arrived for my hospital appointment I was told local anaesthetic was not an option and I Immediately burst into tears and I tried to explain the problems/pain I usually had just having my coil changed.  I decided to go ahead with the procedure as I didn’t want to waste the hospital staffs time, I knew the coil had to be located and replaced and was offered no alternative.

 

Although I had taken over the counter painkillers I still found the whole experience extremely painful and quite traumatic. I have never had children so have nothing to compare it to but I usually have a high pain threshold.  Throughout the whole experience I couldn’t stop shaking and talking gibberish incessantly. The hysteroscopy was even more painful that having the coil removed and replaced.

 

The Doctor and nurses were great but I still felt like the “silly pathetic girl making a fuss”. I couldn’t get out of the room quick enough and don’t remember anything  about what the Doctor advised pre and post the procedure and only vaguely remember signing some document.

 

Although the bleeding and cramps weren’t too bad afterwards, when I was dressing after the procedure I did notice that I had broken out in stress hives all over my neck and chest.  When I got home I burst into tears!

 

I will never have another hysteroscopy without a choice of anaesthetic, general or local. It baffles me why some women say it’s just like having a smear test yet some women experience a painful and traumatic experience, like myself.  Health professionals need to be aware of this and I’m angry that most information found on hysteroscopy describe the expected pain as simply uncomfortable and think that two ibuprofen will help.