Evaluation of pain in office hysteroscopy with prior analgesic medication: a prospective randomized study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether administration of analgesic medication one hour before undergoing office hysteroscopy decreased pain and other side effects.

Study design: A prospective randomized study was carried out in 200 patients who underwent office hysteroscopy from November 2011 until May 2012. 100 patients received 1000 mg paracetamol and 600 mg ibuprofen one hour before the procedure and 100 did not receive any medication.

Results: We observed significant differences (p = 0.013) regarding the occurrence of non-pain side effects, 6% in the non-medicated group and none of the patients in the medicated group. The main pain score was always slightly higher in the group receiving no medication, though there was no statistically significant difference when compared to the medicated group.

Conclusion: Administration of 1 g paracetamol and 600 mg ibuprofen one hour prior to office hysteroscopy decreased statistically the occurrence of non-pain side effects such as nausea, emesis, and hypotension. No differences in pain scores were observed.

Keywords: Medication; Office hysteroscopy; Pain.