A woman due to start her seventh round of IVF was left traumatised after a hysteroscopy, experiencing excruciating pain and vomiting during the procedure. Wendy McLean had been told the procedure was similar to a smear test and would take minutes without the need for pain relief. However, she lost consciousness twice during the procedure and had to ask for it to be stopped. McLean later found out that many women had experienced similar levels of pain during hysteroscopies without anaesthetic.
A hysteroscopy is a procedure that involves passing a thin telescope-like device through a woman’s cervix to examine her uterus. It is used to diagnose gynaecological conditions and is considered the “gold standard” in diagnosing cancer. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) notes that about a third of those undergoing the procedure report pain levels of seven or above out of 10.
Despite pain relief being recommended in guidelines produced by the RCOG, many women say they are not offered it. Mrs. May Hooper described the procedure as indescribable and said it felt like she was in a medieval torture chamber. She was not told she was having a hysteroscopy or offered pain relief, but her procedure was rescheduled with general anaesthetic after she asked it to be stopped. Hooper’s case is currently being investigated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Consultant gynaecologist, Dr Lucky Saraswat, said most women tolerate the procedure. She added that patients should know they are in control and that some choose to have it done in outpatient settings without anaesthetic. Campaigners claim that current guidelines minimise the risk of pain for patients. The RCOG’s vice president, Dr Geeta Kumar, acknowledged patients’ concerns, saying clear, accurate information should be given before the procedure to support women in their decision-making. The Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy criticised the new guidelines, stating they are not mandatory
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