Hysteroscopy at Exeter Hospital

FAQs

• Will a hysteroscopy hurt?

  Most women have some pain during or after a hysteroscopy, and for some it can be significant. You don't have to continue if it's too painful, and you can ask for the procedure to be stopped at any time.

• Do I need an anaesthetic?

  Not necessarily. Many outpatient hysteroscopies are done with no anaesthetic or just a local anaesthetic injection into the cervix, and gas and air can also help with pain. If you'd prefer to be asleep, you can ask to have the test under general or regional anaesthetic, or sedation, in an operating theatre instead.

• What's the difference between a diagnostic and an operative hysteroscopy?

  A diagnostic hysteroscopy is done to find the cause of a problem, such as unusual bleeding. An operative hysteroscopy is done to treat a problem, such as removing polyps, fibroids or scar tissue, and can sometimes be carried out during the same visit as the diagnosis.

• Can the test be stopped if it's too painful?

  Yes. You can ask for your hysteroscopy to be stopped at any point if it becomes too uncomfortable, and it's worth agreeing with your care team beforehand how you'll let them know.

• How soon will I get my results?

  If a biopsy was taken, you'll be contacted once the laboratory results are ready. If no problems were found and no biopsy was needed, you may not need a follow-up appointment at all.

• Are there alternatives to having the test while I'm awake?

  Yes. If you'd rather not have your hysteroscopy in an outpatient clinic, you can choose to have it done under general or regional anaesthetic, or sedation, in an operating theatre, usually as a day case. You should discuss this with your clinician.