Film shares real-life experiences and expert advice to explain what the procedure involves, what to expect, and what rights and options are available to women considering it
A new short film created by researchers at City St George’s, University of London is helping women make informed choices about awake hysteroscopy, a common gynaecological procedure.
Titled Awake Hysteroscopy: Is it the Right Choice for Me?, the film shares real-life experiences and expert advice to explain what the procedure involves, what to expect, and what rights and options are available to women considering it.
The film is the result of a collaborative project involving patients and experts under the lead of Dr Rose Meades and Dr Elizabeth Ball in the School of Health & Medical Sciences at City St George’s.
Following a reproducible process of co-production, the film involved women with lived experience, experienced gynaecologists who offer awake hysteroscopy, university researchers, filmmakers, and reproductive rights lawyers.
It was funded by the Elly Charity, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and City St George’s. Versions of the film are available in English, Gujarati, Bengali and Hindi to provide women in the local area with accessible information.
Awake hysteroscopy involves the use of a thin telescope to examine the inside of the uterus without the need for general anaesthetic. It is used to examine period problems and to exclude cancer. The film explains the best practice technique, which avoids using instruments like speculums that may cause additional discomfort.
Women with both good and difficult experiences shared their testimony. During the workshops, women expressed a desire to have the option of undergoing the procedure under general anaesthesia if they wished, as well as to have an honest discussion about the range of pain they might experience. They were also keen to explore ways of communicating their decision to discontinue the procedure if it did not feel right, and emphasised that this request should be respected. Women shared their tips about pain relief and relaxation.
Dr Rose Coates said: “The aim of our film is to present women with information to allow them to decide whether to have an awake or in-patient hysteroscopy. Should women choose awake hysteroscopy, the film aims to inform them about the consent process and about stopping the procedure at any time, as that arose in the co-development workshops.
“Awake Hysteroscopy: Is it the right choice for me? was made using a co-production process and we worked to create a balanced film empowering women to ask about their procedure, for example, types of pain relief available, including the option of general anaesthesia. Input from all contributors is either explicitly or holistically woven throughout the film. The intention is to equip women to make choices that are right for them, including opting out of awake hysteroscopy.
“The Awake Hysteroscopy film has also been produced within a larger body of work to create a training package for gynaecologists and nurses to develop their patient-centred vaginoscopy technique.”
To watch the film, scan the QR code or visit the Elly Charity link.
Contributors to the Awake Hysteroscopy film
- Elizabeth Ball – Consultant Gynaecologist, Barts Health NHS Trust; Honorary Reader, City St Georges, University of London. Project lead.
- Natasha Waters – Consultant Gynaecologist
- Carol Rivas – Professor of Health and Social Care, University College London. Co-production lead.
- Rose Meades – Senior Research Fellow, City St Georges, University of London; Principal Investigator at City, University of London.
- Sarah Wallis – Independent Film Director/ Producer.
- Salvador Maldonado – Independent Illustrator & Film Maker
- Bernadette McGhie – Consultant Solicitor
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