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[suzysunday]

It's awful this is still happening.   I contacted Katharine Tylko at the Campaign against painful hysteroscopies when I had to have one several years ago.  She was really helpful and I asked for a GA which I got, but wouldn't have been offered otherwise.   It's outrageous that this procedure is not being fully explained still.  Some cope better than others,  but informed choices are essential. So sorry to hear of your bad experience.
 

[bombsh3ll]

I also wonder what the positive diagnostic yield is of all these hysteroscopies - how often does it actually identify a serious pathology or change clinical management?

Guidelines for investigation of postmenopausal bleeding and what endometrial thickness is acceptable are all based on women not using hormone therapy, and no distinction is being made between true postmenopausal bleeding and side effects of HRT - which is actually associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer when continuous combined is used.

The issue of women being subjected to invasive procedures without a compelling indication should also be looked into.

[dangermouse]

Just to say that my Dad has to have annual cystoscopies and he also gets zero pain control. He dreads them every year.

[bombsh3ll]

That's awful too, it shouldn't be happening to anyone.

I hope things change as this issue gets more attention generally.

[CLKD]

that's awful dangermouse - has he discussed this with the GP ?

[Ayesha]

What happens in other countries, those that have private insurance for instance. Is it because of the system we have here and its all about cutting costs and lack of staff.  It's barbaric to make patients suffer this way in terrible pain when there is no need.

[suzysunday]

Yes the same happened with my poor dad when he was having bladder issues.   We think they must have done some damage because he had problems passing urine after.  Awful times for years before he died and quite a lack of care from the NHS.

[CLKD]

 .   

[Dandelion]

 
I had one of these in 2019 due to bleeding.
I put off seeing GP about bleeds because of the horror stories I had heard about hysteroscopies.
I requested GA.
I did have a D&C with it.
Prior to the day, my gynae tried to put up a spaghetti thickness type thingy but I couldn't let him in, possibly as my cervix was stenosed (closed) I have had smears since, but we really have gone back to ye olde days of pain in medicine, reading this thread.

[ElkWarning]

So sorry this happened to you.

I had a strange experience seeing a gynae recently, where he was rude, dismissive and quite frightening. I complained to PALS on the basis that he had not received my informed consent and so was in no position to be able to treat me.

Informed consent means the patient knowing in advance and so agreeing to what will happen - rather than some idealised version. Informed consent also means the patient has to have thinking time and can't be persuaded by things like the threats of longer waits for treatment.

Anyway, I got a formal apology from the hospital within days and was offered the next available appointment with the specialist of my choosing (whose clinic only runs once a month and so I did have to wait a couple of months).

The reason I challenged on the basis of informed consent is because I know a doctor can be struck off if they don't observe this tenner. A nursing sister is also at risk if they're aware and do nothing to stop it.

[Jules]

I had my Hysteroscopy and biopsy today. I am so angry! I was expecting pain but not that I would scream with it and be left shaking and crying for a couple of hours after! I’m not angry at the consultant and nurses they were lovely, I’m angry because I read that the government financially rewards hospitals that encourage women to have these done in an outpatient setting! They actively reward hospitals for not promoting anaesthesia for this painful procedure! I’m not a wuss, I’ve had three vaginal deliveries- this pain shocked me. I know not everyone experiences it and I really don’t want to worry anyone awaiting one - but I was not prepared. If anyone reading this has a Hysteroscopy coming up you may want to consider asking for pain relief, I was offered nothing!

Hi, I don't know if you saw it but I posted quite a bit about this issue back in April after a similar experience. I was fainting and found it barbaric.  I'd also found stuff nationally, particularly that it's been raised in parliament so I contacted my MP who wrote to the relevant minister and I got an update back about the situation at that time. Protocols had been revised and were out for peer review. If you search you'll find my string and all my links. I'm certain the financial rewards have been stopped but that would need checking. My friend is currently waiting for one and is so anxious. From what she's been told, it sounds like nothing has changed.

[CLKD]

Jules - U could re-post your thread . 

[Jules]

"I've had a reply from my MP with a letter from Maria Caulfield MP.
It's quite long but mentions the Women's Health Strategy 2022. She also states that NHS England  are clear that women should be offered information about pain relief options prior to consenting to the procedure, that women should feel able to stop the procedure at any time and should be able to discuss alternative treatment.

There is also a women's health area on the NHS website and a section on hysteroscopy.   www.nhs.uk/womens-health.

In Feb 2023, the Royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists published a good practice paper www.rcog.org.uk/media/ymvha2n3/gpp16-final-publication-proof.pdf

The RCOG is also updating its best practice in outpatient hysteroscopy guidelines. It's currently under peer review and due to be published soon."

[CLKD]