Many women need a hysteroscopy as a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, but is a hysteroscopy painful? For the solution, keep reading.
Hysteroscopy is a procedure performed by a specialist gynecologist to examine the inner cavity of the uterus using a thin tube with a light and a camera attached to it to diagnose a group of different uterine diseases, but women may wonder, is the hysteroscopy painful? The response is provided below:
Is hysteroscopy painful?
Hysteroscopy involves passing saline solution or carbon dioxide gas into the uterus through the used hysteroscopy device to expand the uterus and make the procedure easier. The procedure, which can last anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes, is then performed.
If the hysteroscopy was done while the patient was awake, the level of pain varies from woman to woman. The majority of women experience little discomfort, but some experience pain that at times feels like menstrual cramps. A small number of women experience severe pain and request that the procedure be stopped.
finishing the response to the query "Does hysteroscopy hurt?" We tell you here that the amount of pain during the hysteroscopy procedure depends on many factors, including:
- Use of local or general anesthesia.
- The type and size of the endoscope used.
- The reason for the endoscopy.
- Whether the woman had a normal delivery before.
Preparing for a hysteroscopy
After learning the response to the query "Does hysteroscopy hurt?" Here we tell you the most important tips that may help to follow it in advance in reducing the pain that you may feel during the procedure, as follows:
- One hour before the procedure, take any over-the-counter painkiller by mouth, such as ibuprofen.
- You will be given a prescription for a cervix-softening medication, which you should take as directed the night before the procedure.
- To avoid discomfort brought on by allergy and irritation, let the specialist doctor know if you have any allergies to any of the medications you take or other substances used during the hysteroscopy, such as latex, adhesive tape, or iodine.
- You can help yourself relax as much as possible during the procedure by taking one of the sedatives after consulting with the specialist doctor beforehand. However, you will still need a driver to take you home once the procedure is finished.
- To prevent confusion and difficulty moving by the doctor, dress comfortably in items that can be removed easily or that allow easy access to the area.
Type of anesthesia in hysteroscopy
Depending on the procedure's goals, anaesthesia may or may not be used during the hysteroscopy procedure. Anesthesia is not required if the hysteroscopy procedure is only done for diagnostic purposes. But if the procedure is performed for a biopsy or surgery, anesthesia will be given intravenously.
As a result, there won't be any pain during the hysteroscopy procedure. However, once the anaesthesia wears off, some women might feel some pain and discomfort.
Recovery after a hysteroscopy
When the topic of "Does hysteroscopy hurt?" was covered. The contractions may continue after the hysteroscopy is finished, and it could take one to two days to fully recover from them, we warn you here. Here are some tips that help control the pain after the hysteroscopy as follows:
- As soon as you start to feel tired, take a nap and make sure you get enough rest because this will hasten your recovery.
- Apply a heating pad to the stomach to help with pain relief.
- After your hysteroscopy, follow your doctor's instructions for taking any painkillers, antibiotics, or other medications he or she has prescribed.