1. Overview of the Procedure
A hysteroscopy is an examination of the interior section of the uterus by a medical professional. There are many circumstances in which women might require this surgery. Hysteroscopy involves:
- Ensuring an ailment or illness is diagnosed.
- Getting ready for a dilation and curettage (D&C).
- Removing benign uterine growths.
In other words, a hysteroscopy operation inspects the womb (uterus).
A hysteroscopy, a small telescope with a light and camera at the end, is used to do it. Images are transferred to a monitor for the doctor or specialized nurse to look within your womb.
There is no requirement to make any cuts in the skin because the hysteroscope enters the womb through the woman's cervix and vagina (womb entry).
2. About the Procedure
Hysteroscopies typically last 5 to 30 minutes. The doctor may do a hysteroscopy as an outpatient procedure or while you are hospitalized. Depending on the women's situation and the methods of a healthcare professional, practices could change. A hysteroscopy typically the procedure is as follows:
- After taking off the patient's clothes, she put on a hospital gown.
- Before surgery, her bladder will be emptied.
- She might have an intravenous (IV) line placed in her hand or arm.
- Her feet will be placed in stirrups as she lies on the operating table.
- An antibacterial liquid will be used to sanitize the genital area.
- Before inserting the hysteroscope, her healthcare provider could dilate the cervix.
- Then, a healthcare professional will place the hysteroscope via the cervix, into the vagina, and into the uterus.
- The doctor will inject a liquid or gas through the hysteroscope to make the uterus bigger so they can see more.
- To look for issues, the doctor will check the uterine wall. In addition to taking pictures or videos and tissue samples, he or she (biopsies).
- In addition to taking pictures or videos and tissue samples, he or she (biopsies). Healthcare professionals will put tools through the hysteroscope if the patient requires a procedure, such as a fibroid extraction.
- To see the outside of the uterus concurrently during more complicated surgeries, the doctor may put a laparoscope through the belly.
- Finally, a healthcare professional will take out the hysteroscope once the operation is finished.
3. Why is the procedure conducted?
A hysteroscopy can be done to
- Investigate indications or issues, including heavy periods, atypical vaginal bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, recurrent miscarriages, or trouble getting pregnant.
- detect diseases, including polyps and fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the womb)
- the treatment of ailments and issues, such as the removal of fibroids, polyps, displaced intrauterine devices (IUDs), and intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue that causes absent periods and reduced fertility)
Hysteroscopies are now performed in place of the once-common dilatation and curettage (D&C) surgery, which was used to check the womb and remove unwanted growths.
4. Different Types of Heterscopy
The aim is to identify and treat uterine or womb issues. Hysteroscopy includes two types: diagnostic and surgical. Depending on the results of her diagnostic hysteroscopy, a woman may require a second surgical hysteroscopy.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy
In addition to internal bleeding, a woman might require a diagnostic hysteroscopy for the following reasons:
- to identify the reason for recurrent miscarriages. This frequently occurs when a mother has two consecutive miscarriages.
- can identify some disorders, such as fibroids or polyps, which are benign uterine growths.
- If getting pregnant is a concern, look into fertility complications.
- to look into a woman's pelvic pain
Operative hysteroscopy
The following risk event allows for the usage of this process:
- to get rid of scar tissue. These scars, which connect tissues within the uterus, may have developed due to an infection or surgery. Lesions can disrupt menstrual cycles and lower fertility.
- to find and extract birth control equipment that has been implanted into the uterus intrauterine.
- to get rid of growths or fibroids.
- to sterilize something.
- to collect a tissue sample for further analysis.
5. Risks or Complications
Although hysteroscopy usually is safe, there is a slight chance of problems. Women who receive treatment during hysteroscopy are at greater risk. The following are some of the primary concerns of a hysteroscopy:
- Unexpected womb injury is rare but may necessitate hospital antibiotics or, in extreme circumstances, another surgery to correct it.
- inadvertent cervix damage, which is uncommon and typically quickly repaired excessive bleeding during or following surgery, which can happen if you underwent general anaesthesia, which can be cured with medication or another technique; extremely occasionally, it may be necessary to remove the womb (hysterectomy)
- womb infection, which can result in foul-smelling vaginal discharge, a fever, and excessive bleeding, is primarily managed with a brief course of antibiotics from your GP. Fainting during hysteroscopies without general anaesthesia or with only local anaesthesia affects 1 in every 200 women.
A hysteroscopy will be performed if the dangers are deemed to be outweighed by the benefit.
Request an appointment at:
Apollo Fertility, Borivali East, Mumbai
Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment.
Finding the reason for vaginal bleeding is one of the most general purposes of hysteroscopy. Menstrual cycles that are heavier, longer, less frequent, or more frequent than usual are all examples of abnormal bleeding in women. Bleeding between periods is also unnatural (see FAQ095 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding). In some circumstances, benign (non-cancerous) uterine growths like fibroids or polyps may cause irregular bleeding.
Soon after the treatment, women should be able to return home. If the patient underwent general anaesthesia, they might need to wait until its effects subside. For a few days following the treatment, it's typical to experience minor cramping or a little bloody discharge. To help with pain relief, the patient could be given medicine.
The operation of a hysteroscopy is relatively safe. However, there is a slight possibility of issues. The hysteroscope can potentially rupture the uterus or cervix, resulting in bleeding or an accumulation of extra fluid in your body. Hysteroscopy can occasionally result in life-threatening issues.
