Wendy McLean, preparing for her seventh round of IVF, underwent a painful hysteroscopy without sufficient pain relief, despite being told it would be quick and painless. She described the procedure as excruciating, losing consciousness and vomiting during it. Afterward, she discovered that many other women had similar traumatic experiences with hysteroscopies performed without anaesthesia.
Hysteroscopy, a procedure used to examine the uterus, is important for diagnosing conditions like cancer, but a third of patients report severe pain. While guidelines suggest offering anaesthesia, many women, like Wendy and May Hooper, are not given adequate pain relief or informed about their options. Both women are now advocating for better pain management and transparency in the procedure. Health boards involved have responded by referencing adherence to national guidelines but have avoided commenting on specific cases.