Having a flexible sigmoidoscopy

The procedure takes about 15 minutes.

An endoscopy nurse will be with you during the whole procedure to reassure you.

It is usually performed with sedation or an injection of painkillers. You can choose not to have sedation if you prefer.

Sedation is a medicine that makes you relaxed and sometimes sleepy, but does not put you to sleep. Your endoscopist will explain this to you in more detail.

Read more about having sedation.

If you are concerned about pain or discomfort, you might want to use gas and air (Entonox). This is commonly used for pain during childbirth. It is also used widely by the ambulance service, and in hospitals for a variety of procedures and conditions.

Read more about having gas and air (entonox) during your procedure.

1. You will be asked to lie down on your left-hand side on a couch with your knees bent.
2. The endoscopist will start by putting a finger into your bottom to perform a rectal exam.
3. This will help lubricate the anal passage, and to check if there are any haemorrhoids or growths in your anal passage.
4. The endoscope will then be put into your lower bowel through your bottom.
5. Air will be passed down a channel in the endoscope. This will expand your bowel to make it easier to see during the procedure. 
6. This might make you feel slightly bloated. You might feel the need to go to the toilet, but you will not be able to as your bowel will be empty.

Many people fart during the test. This is perfectly normal and is nothing to be embarrassed about.

If you have polyps, your endoscopist can remove these. You will not feel this. When a polyp is particular big or in a difficult position, you might need to wait for another time for it to be removed and re-booked on a special list.

Pain

• You might have some cramps and tummy pain during or after the procedure. This is from the air that we use to inflate your bowel during the procedure. 
• You might also have short periods of discomfort or pain from certain parts of the procedure. This should not last long.
• Sometimes, the nurse will press gently on your stomach or your position might be changed to help the passage of the endoscope.
• You will not feel anything if any biopsies are taken.

After a sigmoidoscopy

The nurse will take you to the recovery area. They will check your observations regularly, and monitor you for any complications. They will offer you some tea and biscuits. 

You might still feel a little bloated from the air passed into your bowel during the procedure. This should pass quite quickly.

You will be taken to the discharge area where you will be given a copy of the test results. You can leave the hospital straight after your procedure, unless you had sedation.

If you have had sedation

You need to rest quietly until the sedative has worn off. This usually takes a couple of hours.

After you leave hospital

If you have had sedation or a general anaesthetic and are going home within 24 hours, you must have someone to take you home and stay with you overnight.

Please follow our instructions after general anaesthetic or sedation.

You should rest at home after your procedure.

You can eat and drink normally, and should be able to carry out your usual activities 24 hours after the test. 

Results

A specialist nurse will often be able to tell you your results before you leave the hospital. If you have had a sedative, it is a good idea to have someone with you when the results are being discussed, as you might not remember all of the details due to the sedative.

The results of any biopsies or polyps taken during the procedure will usually be available within 2 weeks.

You and your GP will get a letter with the results and recommendations for your care and treatment.

You might be given an appointment to come back to the clinic. This will be posted out to you.

Follow-up appointment

If your results suggest that you need a follow-up appointment, the Patient Access Team will contact you to arrange this. 

If it is urgent, you will be given an appointment on the day of your procedure. 

You and your GP will then get a letter from the clinic telling you if you need to return to the hospital, or if you can be discharged back to your GP.

Useful information

GUTS UK is a UK charity that offers information, support and research into diseases of the digestive tract that includes the gut, liver and pancreas.