Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Maggiemay on January 08, 2025, 03:48:56 PM

Title: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Maggiemay on January 08, 2025, 03:48:56 PM
Has anyone had hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic and gas and air?
Following ultrasound, nurse attempted endometrial biopsy but I couldn't tolerate the pain so told they will now do it as a hysteroscopy.
I can't even manage pain of smear test?
Feel such a wimp asking for general anaesthetic but really don't feel I'd cope with just local anaesthetic.
Any advice please?
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: CLKD on January 08, 2025, 04:22:13 PM
No woman needs to be subjected to what is invasive procedure.  Many medics don't realise how painful this can be!  U R entitled to ask for a GA but will require someone to drive you home after.

When the appt arrives to ring to discuss this. Your body.  You don't need to say 'yes' to anything!

 :welcomemm:  there are several comments about this so hopefully others will be along.  Browse round. Make notes ;-)

Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: HellsBells on January 08, 2025, 04:42:54 PM
My mum had a weak general for hers - she was private but her consultant (who also works in the NHS) said that his own sister had had it done with minimal pain relief and it was a 10/10 for extreme pain! He believes all women should have some sedation/anaesthetic for this procedure.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Ayesha on January 08, 2025, 04:55:26 PM
There have been horror stories here and in the press regarding the procedure and if I was having one I would definitely ask for a GA.
From all that I have read it seems a barbaric procedure to have without being offered a GA and as you say, if you feel pain with having a smear then you will probably benefit from having one.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Northerngirl on January 08, 2025, 06:15:18 PM
Maggiemay , don't feel a  whimp asking for a general anaesthetic. I've had 2 hysteroscopies....one without a GA and one with and I would definitely recommend the GA.
I like you had the failed biopsy and asked for the GA straight away after taking advice from the ladies on MM .
Each of us are different and some ladies feel very little pain or discomfort others suffer immensely....my first one I found incredibly painful and I have always been told I have a high pain threshold. Don't suffer unnecessarily.
 You will probably have to wait longer for a GA but don't let that affect your decision....do what you feel more comfortable with.
Let us know x
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: caz24 on January 09, 2025, 01:51:55 PM
I’m in exactly the same situation. The endometrial biopsy was ok for me but I have to have a hysteroscopy and polyp removed. I’ve had friends that have had this done and they’ve had horrific experiences so I’ve called and asked for a GA, waiting to hear from the secretary. In other countries women are always given a GA for this procedure yet we’re not, probably down to cost. We should have a say what happens to our own bodies and not feel that we’re being a nuisance or a wimp. Why put ourselves through extreme pain if we don’t need to.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: CLKD on January 09, 2025, 03:07:04 PM
it's your body if U don't get offered a GA in one health authority as for a referral to one that does.  We are allowed to choose where we have our treatment according to the PM this week. 
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: VioletAquarius on January 09, 2025, 10:53:15 PM
I've had a couple and it was painful on and off but I managed to get through it and would chose that again over GA (because i'm scared of GA and all that goes with it).

I have read ladies having little pain to extreme pain, it all depends on the person, but if you find smears hard perhaps GA would be best for you, and don't feel like a wimp, a lot of ladies have a GA due to being too painful for them.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: caz24 on January 10, 2025, 09:57:32 AM
Update from me, I can have my hysteroscopy done under GA, no questions asked. I don’t relish the GA either but at least they can have a good look without me being in pain.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Northerngirl on January 10, 2025, 10:42:55 AM
Pleased to hear that caz24  :)
Let us know how it goes x
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: CLKD on January 10, 2025, 12:46:20 PM
Well done on asking.  Do take some1 to drive you home ;-).  it will probably be a might lighter 'dose' so you shouldn't take too long to recover, however, it's time to be spoilt i.e. no housework or cooking the next day  ;)
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: caz24 on January 10, 2025, 08:12:14 PM
Thank you ladies. I haven’t been on here in a long time but the support is always there whenever I need it. I’m so thankful for this forum.
I will keep you posted xx
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Maggiemay on January 12, 2025, 08:36:59 PM
Thank you everyone. I've now asked for GA which hospital did seem quite annoyed about and although they didn't actually say out loud I got the impression they thought I was 'over exaggerating' for what they call 'a simple procedure'. Feel better now knowing they will at least be able to have a good look at what's going on and hopefully won't be too painful when I awake. So glad I found this forum xx
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: caz24 on January 12, 2025, 09:08:24 PM
Great news Maggiemay. Will be thinking of you. Good luck and do let us know how you get on xx
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Bunny lady on January 14, 2025, 01:37:07 PM
I had hysteroscopy today with gas and air and local anaesthetic. It was ‘manageable’ not pleasant though. Plus as I had an ablation they couldn’t get what they needed so it’s a GA for me in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: CLKD on January 14, 2025, 03:03:07 PM
What I would say to any medic with that attitude caz24 is OK U get up on the bed and have it! 
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: caz24 on January 17, 2025, 09:21:03 AM
Totally agree CLKD.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: HellsBells on March 07, 2025, 04:08:08 PM
This issue is everywhere in the MSM now. Finally an end to the gaslighting and the lies.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: che on March 31, 2025, 05:41:16 PM
I had hysteroscopy today with gas and air and local anaesthetic. It was ‘manageable’ not pleasant though. Plus as I had an ablation they couldn’t get what they needed so it’s a GA for me in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.


I was told today a LA is pointless which did not please me, so had to have it with no pain help at all, apart from the paracetmol they told me to take 1 hour prior
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Tropical moments on April 04, 2025, 09:08:14 PM
I have this procedure next Thursday and haven’t been offered a GA - how did you feel after with a LA? Will I be okay to drive or should I organise an alternative? I must say after reading these threads I’m pretty scared
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: che on April 05, 2025, 09:13:38 AM
I had hysteroscopy today with gas and air and local anaesthetic. It was ‘manageable’ not pleasant though. Plus as I had an ablation they couldn’t get what they needed so it’s a GA for me in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.

Hi bunny lady can i ask are u in the uk. curious as i had a hysteroscopy on monday and was told a LA is pointless when i requested it as they are not stetching  the cervix. I was not happy as the lady on the phone had told me I just had to let them know my wishes.
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: Shorty Pants on April 26, 2025, 07:18:58 AM
I had hysteroscopy today with gas and air and local anaesthetic. It was ‘manageable’ not pleasant though. Plus as I had an ablation they couldn’t get what they needed so it’s a GA for me in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.

Hi bunny lady can i ask are u in the uk. curious as i had a hysteroscopy on monday and was told a LA is pointless when i requested it as they are not stetching  the cervix. I was not happy as the lady on the phone had told me I just had to let them know my wishes.
Hi Che. Just checking out this topic as I'm due to have a hysteroscopy to remove a mirena they can't get out normally.

As you can imagine, I'm pretty worried about this. How was it for you?
Title: Re: Hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic
Post by: che on April 26, 2025, 08:52:10 AM
I had hysteroscopy today with gas and air and local anaesthetic. It was ‘manageable’ not pleasant though. Plus as I had an ablation they couldn’t get what they needed so it’s a GA for me in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.

Hi bunny lady can i ask are u in the uk. curious as i had a hysteroscopy on monday and was told a LA is pointless when i requested it as they are not stetching  the cervix. I was not happy as the lady on the phone had told me I just had to let them know my wishes.
Hi Che. Just checking out this topic as I'm due to have a hysteroscopy to remove a mirena they can't get out normally.

As you can imagine, I'm pretty worried about this. How was it for you?

Hi i had the hysto and biopsy with no anastetic at all, i held the nurses hand and a chair arm a few times and told them it felt like something was catching, i kept being told breath. I came home and rested all evening, i found i was uncomfortable for about a week, but i walk to work and stand and bend a lot, so assume this could e why. I have my biopsy results now they are clear ( as expected ) so waiting for the GP to discuss progetrone , but she only work mondays so could be a while. Thankyou for asking