What is a hysteroscopy and who needs it?
Your doctor may recommend a hysteroscopy if you’re having severe menstrual cramping, menstrual periods that are very heavy, bleeding in between periods, or if your doctor needs to know more about the health of your reproductive organs.
Several other reasons for a hysteroscopy are:
- Bleeding after menopause
- To remove fibroids, polyps or uterine scarring
- Having one or more miscarriages
- Having problems becoming pregnant
- Having a permanent sterilization procedure done
- Dealing with an IUD that has come out of place
What is a hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy uses a hysteroscope to look into your vagina and cervix. A hysteroscopy is a lighted thin tube. This process gives your woman’s doctor a close up look at your cervix and uterus to determine if you’re having any health issues in these areas. Your doctor will be able to test any abnormal material that she may find thereby taking a sample.
How is a hysteroscopy done?
A hysteroscopy may be performed in a doctor’s office or in a hospital setting. Depending on the procedure, you may be awake with mild sedation or receive general anesthesia.
During this gynecological surgery, your doctor will access the uterus through the cervix using a hysteroscope. Depending on the type of hysteroscope used, your doctor may use a speculum to gently open the vaginal walls or take a vaginoscopic approach, which avoids the need for a speculum altogether.
Fluid is then placed into the uterus to expand it and provide a clear view. The hysteroscope allows your doctor to examine the uterine lining, and if needed, small instruments can be used to perform a biopsy or remove tissue.
At All About Women, we use advanced TruClear™ Elite hysteroscopes. These devices provide high-definition visualization and allow for a “see-and-treat” approach, meaning diagnosis and treatment can often be done at the same time using a single instrument. Because many procedures can be completed in-office, patients may also benefit from lower overall costs compared to hospital-based care.
Recovery after a hysteroscopy
You should be allowed to go home right after this procedure unless you received a general anesthetic. You may need someone to drive you home. After the process, you may experience some cramping or bleeding. You can also have gas for about one day, as well as be given pain medication. Please avoid sex for 2 weeks after a hysteroscopy to minimize the chance of infections.
Complications from a hysteroscopy
While rare, all surgeries contain at least some risk of complications. For a hysteroscopy, this may include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- A problem due to the anesthetic used
- Potential infection
- Damage to the cervix
- Damage to nearby organs such as the ovaries, bowel or bladder
You’ll need to contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have severe abdominal pain, a fever or heavy bleeding. Only one percent of women who have this procedure have complications.
Benefits of a hysteroscopy
Some of the benefits of having this scope performed are:
- Little to no hospital stay, as compared to a hysterectomy
- A brief recovery time
- Less pain medication is needed after surgery
- May prevent a hysterectomy
- May avoid having to open the abdomen to correct the problem
If you have had problems with heavy menstrual bleeding, miscarriages, or other women’s health complaints, please contact your woman’s health care provider for treatment right away.
