Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose potential problems with a woman’s womb or to treat them if they are known.
This procedure allows us to immediately examine the uterine cavity with a special camera (a hysteroscope). The doctor can detect possible polyps or fibroids, which can be removed during the procedure.
During hysteroscopy, the doctor can detect the problem (e.g. a polyp, fibroids or adhesions), treat it (e.g. remove the polyp) or take a biopsy. In that case, hysteroscopy needs to be performed under mild sedation.
Hysteroscopy is an everyday routine procedure. The patients may leave the hospital soon after the procedure and do not need to stay overnight in the hospital. Hysteroscopy is very useful in diagnosing fertility issues.
There are 2 types of hysteroscopy: diagnostic (to investigate) and operative (to treat). Diagnostic hysteroscopy is performed in order to investigate conditions such as
-Infertility
-Recurrent miscarriage
-Heavy and irregular bleeding
Operative hysteroscopy is used to detect and treat problems of the uterus. In case of operative hysteroscopy, you should not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the procedure because you will be administered general anesthesia. Also, you should start taking antibiotics 1 day prior to the procedure as a precaution. The procedure itself lasts about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how extensive it is (what must be done).
Conditions that can be treated with hysteroscopy
-Fibroids
-Polyps
-Scarring
-Thickening of the uterus lining
A hysteroscopy is performed to women with
- a history of recurrent miscarriage
- a history of infertility
- heavy or irregular bleeding
- fibroids or polyps
- a thickened uterus lining
Fertility experts recommend hysteroscopy to women in case of
-polyp or fibroid removal
-previous failed IVF (implantation failure) to make sure that the lining of the uterus is healthy
-uterine abnormalities
-heavy/ irregular bleeding.
