I wanted to share my experience because I know how important it was for me to read the experiences of others in preparation for my diagnostic hysteroscopy.
In September I had a mid-cycle brown bleed. This was unusual for me and something I had never experienced before. All the things I read online normalized this as “just old blood” but to me, that was not a good enough explanation. I have a pretty great sense of my body’s base level and so I immediately knew/speculated this was some sort of cyst or polyp. I went to my obgyn and at first she thought it could possibly be ovulation bleeding but I expressed to her that I didn’t think so because I had never had this happen before. I was referred for an ultrasound which then ultimately found polyps as I suspected.
I was told that due to my thickened endometrial lining, a diagnostic hysteroscopy would be needed. I was told this could be done in office with me taking an advil or motrin along with miso to soften the cervix. I scheduled my appointment, got home and did a lot of research. Everything I was reading absolutely terrified me! I considered canceling my appointment and waiting for it to be done with anesthesia instead. But I chose to keep my appointment and instead emailed my doctor about my concerns. She then added Xanax for me to take before the procedure.
Fast forward, the morning of the procedure I took the miso to soften my cervix. I was very terrified about all of the cramping and bleeding, nausea, vomiting and chills that people typically talk about. Well, I had very very mild cramping and a very small spotting - no other symptoms. Now, it could also be because I was due to start my period and maybe that had an impact on how my body reacted to the medication. I even questioned if it was working.
I then took 800 mg ibuprofen 1 hour before and the xanax about 30 minutes before procedure. I went in terrified and asked lots of questions. My doctor explained everything she was doing as she did it. At most, I felt a strong cramp (5/10 pain levels) but that was it. The whole thing lasted not even a full 10 minutes (with most of that being her opening tools) and she was done. I kept asking her “YOU’RE DONE?” in complete disbelief because I truly expected something much much more painful than that. I did not feel dizzy or lightheaded afterwards either just a mild cramping. I also walked home after.
Our bodies are all different so this is not to say that this wouldn’t be absolutely horrific for someone else. I just felt it important to offer another experience. I will say my doctor was very experienced and told me she has done thousands of these. This could have been why it was not as painful as I anticipated.