Yes I have had a few times and you are assuming correctly. They will say it is a pinching sensation, they are lying. I am like you I prefer to know exactly what to expect. For me personally each time was painful and I don't know why they do it with out some kind of anesthesia or even nitrous oxide like dentist use. I actually kicked my doctor in the head during the cut. I didn't mean to but it was the reaction I had and with feet in stirrups they are right at his head level. He is a really good friend and never let's me live it down. But I told him to quit lying to the women. The last time he had me take vicoden before coming in and of course not drive. I guess it might have helped.
The good thing is that it should be fast.
Of course everyone has a different experience and pain level.
I had drove myself the first time and I would never do that again. I sat in the parking lot quite a while before driving.

Just try to get as relaxed as possible, take something if you have it or have them call it in. And when they say cough, cough big.

That's my honest experience.

I think it depends on which type you have. My first one was horrible because they used a long knife and then followed up with a "vacuum" devise. The second one was nothing! It was a pinch and over in 5 seconds...easy as could be. Find out exactly what is being done so you know what to expect.

This isn't the dark ages. Ask your doctor to explain exactly what is your procedure will be and what kind of pain is involved. Do you think for one second that men would tolerate serious pain without any sort of analgesic?

I've had my share of procedures. One was a biopsy that took about three seconds.....one sharp "pinch" and done. I've a D and C under general anesthesia....I've heard that some doctors do that without putting a patient under, which is barbaric.

Don't have the procedure without a full understanding of what to expect.

In my experience, medical professionals have two terms for pain: "pinch" and "pressure." No one has ever said to me, "This is really going to hurt."

I've had three uterine biopsies. The first, performed by a female OB/GYN, was the worst. The other two, done by a female CNP, were less painful (and a lot quicker) but still no fun. If I ever need another one I'm going to do some research and see which would be better to take beforehand: ibuprofen or vodka. At least the former wouldn't require a designated driver.

rhizo.....I've never met a Dr. who will be honest when it comes to expected pain!

Thanks to those of you who answered.

I've heard nothing but near horror stories about it and was hoping for a few ladies here who didn't feel it was much of anything, but oh well. I don't understand why they do this procedure in office when it sounds like it's enough to scare a woman away from her GYN for the rest of her life!

I've had two of them. The second time I took 800 mg of ibuprofen and it wasn't nearly as bad.

ooo, good point gabby. I'd take that sucker before the procedure if they'd let me. Or as soon after as allowed.

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Pinch, but I didn't like it. One of the very few times I wish someone had been holding my hand. I'm usually tough, not so this time. But I wouldn't call it excrutiating and certainly not long lasting. I assume we're all talking about LEEP. medical answers to your question below...

Here is a link that might be useful: what to expect-from Johns Hopkins

Only a bladder biopsy for me so far. Yeah, what a con about a "pinch". It may only LOOK like a pinch -- to the doctor.

The stereogram breast biopsy was also no "pinch" and was prolonged probing -- while I lay with aching back and my breast hanging through a cutout in the table. I think this 'procedure' was inspired by the "Instruments of Torture" exhibit at the Tower of London.

For goodness sake, you don't even have *dental* work without a pain block. Hmm...the DDS does need to protect his fingers!

I have had two done in the office - the most recent being Nov. 19 (but who remembers?!). Yes, they hurt. The hardest part will be to keep still and not try to back up on the table. If the doctor does not get enough tissue to be analyzed by the lab, then you will have to go into the hospital to have it done. Frankly, I was surprised that if a biopsy has to be done in a hospital that it is done under a general - not a local - since that is how cystos are done. But, no, a general. The GYN told me that it is just the nature of the procedure. Fortunately, both times she was able to get just enough tissue for a successful lab test. I was grateful because I would burn off a local before the procedure even started - and a general doesn't last all that long either. Just prepare yourself and hold on tight to the sides of the table. It will be over fast. Definitely there is a pinch - but there is discomfort in getting the equipment in there to make the cut. I drove myself to and from the appointment.

I'm actually glad to hear others have found the uterine biopsy painful. I had one a few years ago and my doctor-at-the-time acted like I was being a big baby about it. I survived, of course, but you're cutting me - don't sit there and tell me it doesn't hurt! I don't remember that it particularly kept hurting after she was done - it was just the actual taking of the biopsy that was painful.

I'd definitely ask about taking ibuprofen or something stronger ahead of time. Maybe a valium to help you stay relaxed during the procedure? (And would it be so impossible for them to squirt some local anesthetic in there before cutting?)

I had one and it hurt like hell but was over quickly. You can do it. My GYN also did it in her office (Lankenau).

Love your screen name. Seeing that you registered today and live in Philadelphia (as do I), I know why you chose it. I can't even see across the street. Severe thunderstorms and tornado warning, too. Yippee.

Good luck with your procedure. Let us know how it goes. Phila Women's Ctr is a great place -- you are in good hands, I am sure.

After reading Silvercomet's comment I remembered that the doctor who did the first one acted like I was a big baby too. I told her I'd had three natural, unmedicated childbirths--with long labors--and wasn't a wimp, but I didn't understand why they didn't do something to make the biopsy less painful. I never went back to her.

Years earlier, I'd gone through a series of painful infertility tests. I remember my husband expressing surprise that this was standard procedure, and no pain relief was offered. Yet a lot of doctors encourage women to get an epidural for childbirth. That's a little backwards, IMO.

Ah, yes, the infertility tortures. I had one tech leave me in a puddle of blood after she messed around endlessly with a probe and monitor during one of those (something-o-grams) where you have to drink gallons of water beforehand. She thought I was complaining about the full bladder. I wonder if they don't MAKE you infertile.

Thank you for all of the responses, I appreciate it!

Dedtired - ty for the comment on my name and the "you can do it". The encouragement helps because after all, we're women and we usually have no choice but to be strong!

I can only pray that mine goes without much agony as some do.

By the way, welcome to the forums.

The worst test I ever went through was a urodynamics test. It did not hurt but they put tubes in places you don't want to think about. Try to avoid that one! It's to measure bladder function.

Awwee, thank you!

I've read about women passing out with this Biopsy; vomiting, screaming, crying and begging the Dr. to stop! Sounds like a torture chamber! Hard to believe in this case that it's 2014 with advanced medical science and yet, women still have to endure such horrific treatment.

Consult with the doctor about taking medications such as asprin or ibuprofen before the procedure since these can reduce the clotting factor.

I used to work for an OB/GYN and we did uterine biopsies a lot. We always had the patient take 600 mg of ibuprofen prior to the procedure.
Some women had a lot of pain and some women barely felt it....I think a lot of it depends on a person's pain threshold.
Good luck with your procedure.

Yelling, screaming, passing out? Those women must have been very tender little flowers. For me it was more of a squinch your eyes and grit your teeth kind of experience.

Don't take aspirin as it increases bleeding. Ibuprofen might help some.

Like Alisande, I also had 3 children, with not even a Tylenol, so I know my pain tolerance is pretty good. While my recent uterine biopsy wasn't enough to make me pass out or vomit from the pain, dedtired, you're lucky that yours was just a squinch your eyes and grit your teeth kind of pain. Mine had me thinking that if it lasted 5 seconds longer I was going to shout out "Give me an epidural!" lol.

Surveying a few of my friends who had one, we realized that those who didn't get any strong uterine cramps and bleeding afterward did not find the procedure as painful as the others. Maybe there's an 'art' to extracting the tissue that makes some doctors better at doing it, just as some lab techs butcher a vein when taking blood and others are in and out with barely a mark.