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.
The best time to perform hysteroscopy is during the first 10 days of the woman’s cycle or later, provided she is certain that she did not just get pregnant.
The procedure involves a telescope camera (hysteroscope) gently passed through the vagina and cervix and into the uterine cavity. After the doctor inspects the uterine cavity, they will take pictures and may proceed to any appropriate intervention.
After the procedure, the patient does not need to stay in hospital and can go home. If general anesthesia has been administered to her, she must stay in the hospital for a while, in order for possible side effects from the anesthesia to pass off.
Apart from some mild pain resembling period cramps, usually hysteroscopy does not cause pain. A simple painkiller should be sufficient for these cramps. Most women return to their everyday life, and work the day after the procedure.
If during hysteroscopy the doctor removes polyps, fibroids or adhesions, usually there is some bleeding after the procedure; this is to be expected. Following the procedure, the doctor will inform you about hysteroscopy findings and about whether he removed e.g. a polyp. A written report is provided.
So, hysteroscopy generally is a safe procedure. After the examination, the vast majority of women might feel some pain and have some bleeding for 1-2 days. Serious complications are very rare (2 women out of 1.000 who have had the procedure).
As in any surgical operation, it is possible that the woman might experience side effects due to anesthesia or experience bleeding or clotting. The risk of complications is slightly elevated if the patient has had surgery in the uterus or the cervix in the past, if there are other health issues or if she is clinically obese.