VOLUME 1 - NUMBER 1 - 2019

Factors affecting pain perception in outpatient hysteroscopy

  • Libera Troia, Ilenia Darino, Cristina Regini, Francesca L. Vellucci, Cinzia Orlandini, Sandro Razzi, Filiberto M. Severi, Stefano Luisi
  • Original articles, 39-42
  • Full text PDF
  • Background and Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate pain severity during and 24 hours after office hysteroscopy in an unselected population.

    Methods: A total of 200 women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy with different indications were enrolled in the study. Immediately after the examination and at 24 hours visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain severity were collected. Data on patient age, parity, menopausal age, consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs and biopsy of the endometrium were also collected.

    Results: Perceived pain was greater at the end of examination than after 24 hours (p<0.01). Associations were found between higher VAS score and age >50 years, menopausal age, and consumption of analgesics after the intervention. Conversely, there was no association with parity or with the indication for the examination.

    Conclusions: The present data confirm that ambulatory hysteroscopy is acceptable to most patients and is safe and reliable.

  • KEY WORDS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy, office hysteroscopy, vaginoscopy, pain, visual analog scale.