Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive tool that physicians can use to help diagnose and treat many common problems women face from pain to abnormal bleeding. Many women suffer from abnormally heavy or painful periods, or other concerning bleeding patterns like postmenopausal spotting. Hysteroscopy can be useful to visualize the inside of the uterus or endometrial lining to evaluate for problems such as fibroids, polyps or abnormal cells.

 

Hysteroscopy uses a narrow fiberoptic camera that passes through the vagina and cervix to visualize the upper uterine lining. Typically your physician will apply anesthetic to the cervix and then determine whether the cervix is open enough to accommodate the hysteroscope. If it is not, the physician may open the cervix slightly, or “dilate” the cervix to allow the camera to pass without difficulty. It is then possible to directly visualize and evaluate what may be causing your symptoms. Tiny “micro instruments” may be passed through the tube that houses the camera and may be used to treat abnormalities found.

 

Having your evaluation at the office can benefit you with comfort, convenience and financial savings. Your doctor will provide you with an individualized plan for achieving your maximum comfort. Minor procedures such as the removal of a small polyp or direct biopsy may be performed without difficulty. This procedure done at the office can often take less than a third of the time it would take at the hospital or outpatient center.

 

Ultrasound uses sound waves to make images that are interpreted by a physician and may suggest a diagnosis. Hysteroscopy provides direct visualization of the uterine lining and may also allow treatment at the same time.

 

While complications during and following hysteroscopy are rare, they do exist.

 

Infection: All surgery carries the risk of infection. This is why all instruments are carefully sterilized and prepared both in the hospital operating room and at the office. Additionally, cleansing agents are used to clear the vaginal and cervical area of bacteria. However, there remains a very low risk that bacteria from the vagina can pass to the uterine lining. You should let your doctor know if you experience:

 

      Fever greater than 101 degrees

      Abnormal vaginal discharge

      Heavy bleeding

      Increasing or severe lower abdominal pain

      Bleeding: While some bleeding is expected after hysteroscopy- heavy or prolonged bleeding should be reported.

      Pain: Most people require minimal pain medication during recovery.

      Rare complications: perforation of the uterus (0.8% of operative hysteroscopy- mostly done in the OR), death (2.4 per 100,000 cases- again involving operative hysteroscopy).