Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a procedure where your doctor will examine the canal of the cervix, as well as look inside your uterus in order to diagnose and treat the causes of abnormal bleeding.  Hysteroscopy is done using a thin lighted tube, called a hysteroscope, which is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be either diagnostic or operative.

Diagnostic hysteroscopy

A diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to diagnose problems of the uterus. This procedure can help diagnose causes of infertility, uncover the reason for repeated miscarriages, and can treat a variety of conditions.  

Reasons for this procedure include:

• Abnormal Pap test
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Uterine adhesions
• Asherman’s syndrome
• Polyps and fibroids
• Removal of a displaced intrauterine device (IUD)

Diagnostic hysteroscopy is done under general anesthesia.

Operative hysteroscopy

An operative hysteroscopy is used to correct an abnormal condition that has been found during a diagnostic hysteroscopy. This procedure can correct uterine problems such as small adhesions, fibroids, polyps, and other growths.  During operative hysteroscopy, small instruments used to correct the condition are inserted through the hysteroscope. When an operative, or therapeutic hysteroscopy is done general anesthesia is required.  

With the hysteroscope, there is no need to cut through the skin, muscle or the uterus.  There is less scarring and pain with this procedure compared to traditional surgery. In addtition, there are fewer complications, decreased chance of infection, and increased healing.