Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Tabbycat on May 14, 2014, 10:04:27 AM
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I have an appointment for a hysteroscopy next month and just wondered whether anyone here has experience of it.
A couple of months ago my GP referred me to a gynecologist after I'd had a lot of spotting. The gynae didn't think it was anything serious and changed my HRT prescription but also gave me an appointment for a hysteroscopy in three months' time in case the new prescription hadn't sorted it. I've been on the new HRT (Femiston) for just over two months now, and was going to cancel the appointment because everything was fine but today I've started spotting again. >:( I'm not convinced it's anything serious but I'm not sure if I should cancel the procedure or not - it doesn't sound like a lot of fun! Does anyone know if it's as bad as it sounds?
Thanks.
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Hi Tabbycat
Lots on here have had them I think. I had one last year. It was very straightforward - only took about a minute. A bit undignified though (legs in stirrups!). Just a tiny amount of pain for a brief moment and then all over. I had a biopsy as well.
Really nothing to worry about - and you don't need a GA (one of the hospitals I could have gone to only did them under GA which I thought was a bit OTT!)
Great to have peace of mind so go for it.
Hurdity x
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Thanks both. I don't might indignity(!) but I'm scared it will be painful - my last smear (about a year ago) was really painful.
The information they sent said I should bring someone with me and that I would have to take it easy for the rest of the day, so I just wondered how bad it could be!
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Hi, I had a hysteroscopy about 18 months ago after going to gynea with terribly heavy periods. I had it done under general anaesthetic and had a mirena coil fitted at the same time. This has been a godsend as my periods have completely stopped (I'm 49 and about to embark on oestrogen only HRT). Hope all goes well for you :)
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Hi
I had one five years ago because of irregular periods....turned out it was the start of the menopause. I didn't have a GA and didn't need one and I had a biopsy too. Yes it's undignified but it was fine. I'd got myself quite worked up beforehand as I thought it might be dreadful but it wasn't at all and yes it's best to get these things checked out X
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I've had one under a local and it really didn't hurt - just a little discomfort. Was over in a flash and definitely not worth having a ga for.
Good luck
Bryher22
:cat48:
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I had one with biopsy before I started HRT. I didn't have a GA and am glad as I think that can make you feel worse. It was similar to having a smear but a nurse stayed with me the whole time and kept chatting to distract things. I had a bit of spotting afterwards but felt fine. I think its just standard procedure if you've got complaints in that area.
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Thanks for all your replies. I think I probably will go for it as the spotting hasn't stopped.
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I have had one, it was under GA (a light one) felt fine when I came round, was given a cup of tea and later discharged. I did feel a little cramping
and spotting which is usual the day after.
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I had one under local anaesthetic and it was a doddle - no pain at all.
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I am having one on Tuesday and it will be my third. First with GA 2nd without and this one will be with General anaesthetic because he said if there are any polyps he will be able to remove them at the same time. I will also have a Mirena coil fitted.
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Hi ann58
Mine was also going to remove polyps if I had them and put in Mirena if I'd wanted one but not necessary to have a GA though, if you don't want one (which I didn't). I was going to have a local one though but it was so quick I didn't, although if he'd found polyps he may have then given me one? I would have found the prospect of a GA for such a small procedure so much more of a big deal - but then I've never had one (GA)! I had to go to a particular hospital to avoid one, because one of the towns only used GA for hysteroscopy. I am sure if you don't want one you should be able to opt not to? Sorry a bit garbled!
Hope it goes well for you anyway!!!
Hurdity x
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My consultant will only do it with GA then if anything else needs doing he can do it at the same time. I prefer to have GA anyway.
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Thank you katsclaws your comment has reassured me. Even though I have had it before I am still really nervous.
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I had one just a couple of months ago. Was fine, no anaesthetic, I just took some painkillers an hour before. Mine was to check on why I had a thickened endometrium (though still having periods) and a possible polyp. I found it fascinating actually being able to see inside my womb on a big screen, maybe I'm a bit odd! I had no discomfort to speak of beyond a dull ache for a few days and some low level bleeding. Consultant was excellent and took her time and explained everything very thoroughly. No polyp and all good with the 3 samples they took so just dratted hormones causing mayhem with my cycle at this stage of life! Gone from 2-3 month gaps between periods to every 2 to 3 weeks now - hopefully it will all just give up soon :)
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I found it fascinating actually being able to see inside my womb on a big screen, maybe I'm a bit odd!
I didn't realise I could watch! Possibly I'm odd too but I think that would take my mind off the discomfort.
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I also got to watch mine on the screen - really quite interesting.
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Hi Tabbycat
I had one few years ago but under GA during laparoscopy.
If you are nervous, can you not ask your gp to prescribe low dose diazapem to take the edge off. A consultant advised me to do this for an mri scan that i was anxious about.
You would need someone to go with you and wont be able to drive for 24hrs approx but it may help you to relax.
Good luck
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Hi, I have just received a letter giving me an appointment for a hysteroscopy next Tuesday under local anaesthetic. I came off a progestgen only pill after years, and 11 (painful) weeks later had a withdrawal bleed in April. It now feels as though my body is in a cycle again but no idea what will happen. I was initially referred for an internal scan to check waht was going on, had a biopsy taken and the results are fine, but the consultant says as the lining of the womb is thickened at 4mm and there is possibly a polyp, she feels it is 'prudent' to perform a full inspection with a hysteroscopy.
I am reassured by some of your comments that it will all be over quickly but am very nervous all the same.
I am learning all the time from reading the posts on this great forum but it seems to me that as I may well still be having periods for a while during this peri stage, possibly not regularly, surely the womb lining is going to thicken gradually through the month, then shed when I bleed? Also, it is now day 23 since I had my bleed coming off the pill and am having period pains and mood swings etc, so is possible I may be bleeding when I go for the hysteroscopy. Does this matter does anyone know?
Thanks x
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Id doesn't matter if you are bleeding when you go for your hysteroscopy. I had mine on Tuesday and I had been bleeding for 5 weeks.
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Thanks Ann58, that's helpful. I hope it all went okay for you on Tuesday. x
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Thank you :) Everything went well. I have to wait for the biopsy results but the consultant said everything looks fine so not to worry.
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Oh well, I worried for nothing. My gynecologist did a scan first which showed nothing abnormal so I didn't have to have the hysteroscopy in the end.
But thanks for all your reassurances, they helped me feel less nervous on the way to hospital!
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Thank you :) Everything went well. I have to wait for the biopsy results but the consultant said everything looks fine so not to worry.
Did you have a local or general anesthetic?
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I had general anaesthetic.
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Hi I had 1 seven weeks ago,and a biopsy,I had a mirena coil fitted,to help with the heavy bleeding I was getting every month,I was flooding,but since the op,I'm bleeding very lightly,but have done so since,any ideas when bleeding will stop? I had my 6 week appointment through,to check that coil is ok.but had to cancel,cos still bleeding.i don't know when I can have this check,if bleeding never stops,anyone else going through this.?
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Hi Juliewoo - welcome to the forum.
I have found this on Mumsnet http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/woman-504/sex-contraception-48/884026-constant-light-bleeding-after-mirena-fitted-all.html which shows that bleeding can last for a while for some women.
Were you told that you couldn't have it checked while bleeding?
Have a good look around the site - you will find lots of info on here. You may like to introduce yourself under new members. I'm sure someone will be along soon with more information about the Mirena.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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hi ty,i will have a browse