Hysteroscopy.

[msage24]

Has anyone had a hysterocopy and offer any advice/what happens etc 😁

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I had two; one on its own another with a laparoscopy. Both were under general anaesthetic; first one because they thought I had a fibroid which needed removing ( this was a few years prior to my endometriosis diagnosis) there wasn’t anything there and the biopsy was all clear. I had some slight spotting and I did end up getting a thrush infection which was treated.( I’m pretty prone to it )

After a scan revealed an issue with my lining I was referred for a hysteroscopy ; I refused to have one without any anaesthetic or sedation ( simple procedures are so painful with my endo) they were fully supportive 😁because I had lots of endometriosis symptoms return after the first laparoscopy they also thought I should have a second lap.

The hysteroscopy will look in more detail inside your uterus; they can check for abnormalities such as polyps and take a biopsy to test for certain conditions including endometriosis inside the uterus ( I had this done; all clear. Endo was in pod and rectum) I did bleed a bit during the op ( I do bleed during any gynae examinations that is just how I am ) I had cramping but it’s hard to say if it was endo being removed or hysteroscopy; simple painkillers relieved the pain; it was like period cramps nothing horrific. I did bleed afterwards; started as spotting but turned into full flow and brought my period forwards; I was told to wear pads to not risk any infection. Do call the dr if you get heavy bleeding;it can be a sign of infection and needs to a dr to check it out.

I can’t say what happens during a hysteroscopy as I was asleep during it but maybe one of the ladies here can 😘

Recovery is quicker than a laparoscopy as no incisions are made; the tools up your lady parts 😳my first hysteroscopy I was better within a few days. But this might depend on what they do; whether it’s a diagnostic or operative one;Mine were both diagnostic as they found no abnormalities and just took a biopsy.

Good luck with it hope it goes well xoxo

[C2691]

I had my hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic too. So not sure what exactly happens. I had my laparoscopy at the same time. What I can say is... I had heavier bleeding than I had expected afterwards I think probably 3 days heavy bleeding then spotting for a further 3. Pain wise I’m not sure if there was any from the hysteroscopy, I was in too much pain from the laparoscopy to be able to tell! Have a look through some of my posts people on here gave me good advice as always . Good luck hope all goes well for you 😊

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A Hysteroscopy is a procedure that involves passing a very fine telescope through the neck of the womb. This is done so the medical team can get a good view of the womb (Uterus) and so they can take a biopsy sample of the lining of the uterus.

What happened when I arrived in the Gynae Outpatient Department ?

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I reported to reception and waited my turn.

I was called through in to the clinic by a nurse.

I was taken to a room and told to change into a hospital gown.

Then I was taken to a treatment room were I was told there was a nurse to look after me and a nurse to look after a trolley with the equipment and another nurse consultant who was to do the Hysteroscopy procedure.

The Consultant Nurse Hysteroscopist took a medical history from me and asked me a number of questions. she wanted to know about the pain I was having, how bad it was, which side of my body hurt the most. were in my pelvic area was the pain. things like this.

She chatted with me about what my consultant advised in a letter he had sent her.

I was then asked for my verbal consent before the procedure was started.

So what happens?

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I was told to sit in a comfortable position in a special reclining chair.

A speculum was inserted into my vagina . It’s the same feeling you get when you have a smear test. A little uncomfortable but bearable .

My cervix was then cleaned with an antiseptic solution and a local anaesthetic can then be given if required. It feels like a needle pinch. you are told that you may feel a slight pain as the needle is inserted. it’s no worse than having a blood test done. the nurse looking after you will chat away and try to make you laugh to take your mind off of the procedure.

The Hysteroscope was then inserted into my womb . the hysteroscope is connected to a camera which displays images on a screen. photographs were then taken for my records.

I was told I could have a copy of the photographs if I wished . I did have a look at the photographs as I was explained about what they were looking for and and found. but decided not to have copies for myself.

A gas called carbon dioxide was used to gently inflate the cavity of my womb. So a clearer view was available in more difficult to see areas of my womb.

A sample of my wombs lining was taken as a biopsy. the nurse looking after you will chat away and try to make you laugh to take your mind off of the procedure.

This all took about 5-10 mins.

I was told that the gas they used would make me feel uncomfortable . what they did not tell me was an hour after I had this done I had a lot of pain and did not feel very well at all. The gas gets trapped in the shoulder area of your body and has no where to go ( this you are told). It hurts all over my body , while finds a way to work itself out of my body. no one told you how much it hurts as everyone experiences this differently and has different pain levels they can tolerate.

I found drinking peppermint tea and taking a painkiller as I was advised helped with the pain control. this does wear off so there is no need to panic. it’s a weird sensation, which lasts for a couple of days. but it will disappear so no need to worry.

What happened after this procedure?

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The Consultant Nurse Hysteroscopist went through the findings that she could tell me straight away. She advised me not to have a hysterectomy as the consultant gynecologist had advised me to do. The Consultant Nurse Hysteroscopist said my tubes were clear and that my womb was healthy. That what ever was causing the pain along with the chocolate cysts that I had on my right ovary needed to be looked at with a laparoscopy procedure before I decided to have my womb removed as the consultant gynecologist had advised me to do. She told me I had endometriosis and that having my healthy womb removed would not stop my pain. as I would be put into a early menopause. I would still have the pain problem as the endometriosis feeds off of estrogen. if I had my womb removed and go in to early menopause I would produce more estrogen. increasing my pain and problems as what ever was causing the pain, was outside my womb in the pelvic cavity and it was not my womb causing the pain.

Her advise made we re think what the consultant gynecologist had told me was best. so I am now waiting for my laparoscopy procedure to find out how badly spread the endometriosis is and to have my right ovary and the cyst on it removed as planned.

Don’t just make a decision right away. If you are offered a Hysteroscopy go for the procedure. it’s worth it to make sure you are getting the correct advise and a second opinion . I was told that some consultant gynecologist are surgery happy and once you have your womb removed they don’t want to know anymore about the pain your suffering.

So check out all your options before you decide on a hysterectomy. it may or may not be the right thing to do. get a second opinion.

After all this happened I went to bed when I got home as I did not feel great. The gas escaping from my body was more painful than the hysteroscopy procedure was. but the pain passes in a few days so no need to worry. it’s a temporary discomfort.

Since October 2017 I have had a seven month wait for my date for the Laparoscopy procedure. which is in April 2018.

I have been keeping a blog of natural ways I have found pain relief, procedures I have had and how I am trying to find ways to help make my endometriosis more bearable after suffering for the last 30 years and only being diagnosed a year ago. facebook.com/SrongGirlWithE...

Everyone reacts differently to their procedures. we all have different advise and different treatments. also different ways of dealing with things. So your experience will be slightly different to mine. but this will give you some idea of what to expect.

I hope all is well for you and that you find some answers.