Nitrous Oxide for Pain Management in Office Hysteroscopy
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess pain during office operative hysteroscopy with or without inhaled nitrous oxide (N 2 O). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a single university-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Women undergoing office operative hysteroscopy were randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either inhaled N 2 O or ambient air through a self-administered face mask. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale at three timepoints: uterine entry, during the procedure, and postprocedure. RESULTS: Between July and November 2025, a total of 214 women were randomized to receive either N 2 O (n=110) or ambient air (n=104). Baseline demographics and procedural characteristics were comparable between groups. Intraprocedural pain was significantly lower in the N 2 O group (2.23±3.29 vs 3.96±3.31, P
Fields of Study & Subjects
Gynecological conditions and treatments
Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 71–79
- Publication date
- 9 April 2026
- Language
- EN