Objective To compare the effect of propofol and ciprofol on respiratory movements during hysteroscopic surgery under intravenous anesthesia. Methods A total of 100 patients who underwent hysteroscopic surgery in Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from October 2021 to June 2022 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=50): a circopolol group (group H) and a propofol group (group P). All the patients were intravenously injected with oxycodone. Then, patients in group H and group P were intravenously injected with ciprofol and propofol for anesthesia maintenance, respectively. Additional drugs would be administered if the patients showed frowning or somatic movement reaction during the period. Anesthesia was regulated according to the surgical process, where bispectral index (BIS) value was maintained at 50‒60. Respiratory function was monitored by M⁃mode ultrasound to measure the amplitude of diaphragm movements. Their heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), BIS, and the amplitude of diaphragm movements were recorded at the time of admission into the room (T0), at the time of cervical dilatation (T1), 5 min after induction (T2), and at the time of awakening (T3). Furthermore, adverse reactions such as injection pain, hiccup, respiratory depression, postoperative nausea and vomiting and postoperative patient satisfaction were recorded. Result Group H presented remarkable decreases in the incidences of injection pain, respiratory depression, and hypotension than group P (P<0.05). Group H also showed significant increases in heart rate, MAP, RR, and the amplitude of diaphragm movements than group P at T1 (P<0.05). Compared with those at T0, heart rate, MAP, RR, and the amplitude of diaphragm movements were significantly reduced in both groups at T1 (P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with propofol, ciprofol can provide similar ideal sedation, but show less respiratory depression, with rare injection pain. The combined use of ciprofol and oxycodone is more beneficial during anesthesia for hysteroscopy than propofol.