Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is a relatively minor surgical procedure that can be used both to diagnose problems and treat problems associated with your uterus. A basic hysteroscopy involves inserting into your uterus a small tube with an optical device attached to the end. Once this tube is inserted, your uterus is distended with fluid to help doctors get a better view. This can help find problems like a uterine septum, polyps, fibroids, scarring, or adhesions of your uterus. Sometimes hysteroscopy can also be used to see problems with obstruction at the uterine end of the fallopian tubes.
What It's LikeThis is generally an outpatient procedure. It can be done in a hospital, surgical center, or potentially even in the office setting. Your doctor will help you decide where the best location is if you decide that a hysteroscopy is a good plan of treatment for your particular case.
The anesthesia that is used for your hysteroscopy will largely be determined by what the purpose of the hysteroscopy is. General anesthesia is typically used if the hysteroscopy is being done to treat a problem. Local anesthesia is used if it is done in the office setting or if it is being done purely for diagnostic purposes.
Your hysteroscopy can take as little as five minutes if the purpose is simply to look around at the uterine cavity. If treatment is done or additional procedures are done, it can take longer. Even with treatments, a hysteroscopy is generally about a thirty-minute procedure.
Why It's UsedYour physician may decide that a hysteroscopic procedure is beneficial if you suffer from repeated miscarriages or are having trouble conceiving and she suspects a uterine problem. Uterine problems might include adhesions, a uterine septum, fibroids, endometrial polyps, and so forth. If it is found that you have adhesions or other uterine blockages, a hysteroscopy can be a great, noninvasive way to try to treat these problems.
One of the best things that hysteroscopy has going for it is that with its lack of incisions, this is a very minimally invasive procedure. For you, the good news is that the lack of incisions required means fewer risks of future problems caused by the actual procedure, like scarring and adhesions, which can affect your fertility.
If you have any questions about the use of hysteroscopy in your treatment, be sure to talk to your fertility specialist or other practitioner about its use. Most women don't have many problems with the procedure. Cramping can last for a few hours afterwards and you may experience some bleeding. If you used a general anesthesia you will need to take the rest of the day off to recover from the anesthesia; otherwise, you may be able to head right back to your normal life. A few other risks are involved but are much less likely, such as infection and perforation of the uterine cavity.
