A hysteroscopy is a technique that uses a tiny telescope with a light and camera at the end to inspect the interior of the womb. Images are transferred to a monitor for your doctor or specialized nurse to look within your womb. No cuts in your skin are needed because the hysteroscope enters your womb through your cervix and vagina.
A Hysteroscopy can be used to –
- Investigate signs and symptoms like heavy periods, atypical vaginal bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, recurrent miscarriages, or trouble getting pregnant can all be investigated with a hysteroscopy.
- diagnosis of fibroids and polyps (non-cancerous)
- treatment to remove fibroids, polyps, displaced IUDs, and Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs)
What happens during Hysteroscopy?
Typically, a hysteroscopy is performed as an outpatient or day-case procedure. This implies that you do not need to spend the night in the hospital. A general anesthetic may be used if you want to be unconscious during the process or receive treatment while it is being done. A hysteroscopy can last up to 30 minutes, but if it's merely being done to detect a condition or explore symptoms, it may only take 5 to 10 minutes.
Is a hysteroscopy painful?
This appears to differ significantly between women. During a hysteroscopy, some women have no or very little pain, but the discomfort can be very intense for others.
Inform the doctor or nurse if the discomfort is too great. The process can be stopped at any time.
Before undergoing the treatment, if you're nervous, talk to the doctor or nurse to find out what to expect and what your options are for pain management.
Recovering from a Hysteroscopy
Although some women go back to work the same day, most women feel ready to resume their regular activities the following day.
If a general anesthetic was applied, you might want to take a few days off to recover.
While recovering, you may suffer cramping that feels like period discomfort and possibly spotting or bleeding for a few days, but you can eat and normally drink immediately. This is typical and nothing to worry about unless it's heavy. It would be best to refrain from having intercourse for a week or until any bleeding has ceased, whichever comes first, to lower the chance of infection.
