Overview

With hysteroscopy, a doctor can visualize the inside of a woman’s uterus to diagnose and treat all the problems causing abnormal bleeding. This procedure takes place through a hysteroscope, which is a thin, illuminated tube inserted into the vagina to visualize the cervix and uterine cavity. By means of operative hysteroscopy, the physician can excise the growths (polyps), solid tissue, fibroids, scarring, or adhesions.

What is a Hysteroscope?

The primary purpose of hysteroscopy is to diagnose and treat the cause of uterine bleeding. With this procedure, your doctor can visualize the interior of your uterus with the hysteroscope. The hysteroscope is an instrument with a long shaft that is enclosed in a light tube and is placed through the vaginal canal by the doctor to examine the cervix and the cavity of the uterus.

What does diagnostic hysteroscopy mean?

Diagnostic Hysteroscopy identifies structural abnormalities in your uterus that may cause abnormal bleeding. It might also be helpful to confirm the results of other tests, like ultrasound or HSG (hysterosalpingography). HSG refers to an X-ray dye test used to evaluate fallopian tubes for possible blockages. When the fallopian tubes become blocked, it may be hard for women to achieve a pregnancy.

What is operative or surgical hysteroscopy?

Operative hysteroscopy corrects uterine abnormalities diagnosed at diagnostic hysteroscopy. Often, both procedures are performed together, thereby avoiding a second surgical intervention for the patient. During operative hysteroscopy, the physician removes the identified bleeding-inducing abnormalities.

Endometrial ablation treats abnormal uterine bleeding through hysteroscopy, using an endometrial ablation device to obliterate the lining of the uterus.

What is the reason for needing a hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy serves both as a diagnostic tool and therapy; it basically penetrates the uterus and identifies the roots of the problem, such as uncommon uterine bleeding, menstrual bleeding, irregular spotting between periods, and even postmenopausal bleeding.

• Polyps & Fibroids: Hysteroscopy helps detect and remove these uterine structural abnormalities multiple times. Surgical removal of a polyp at hysteroscopy is termed hysteroscopic polypectomy. In contrast, surgical removal of a fibroid is called a hysteroscopic myomectomy.
• Adhesions: Uterine adhesions, referred to as Asherman syndrome, consist of scar tissue bands that might develop in the uterus and could result in altered menstrual cycles or periods as well as infertility. Hysteroscopy, on the other hand, can be a significant aid to your physician in identifying and removing the adhesions.
• Septums: Hysteroscopy can check for a uterine septum, a malformation (defect) of the uterus that exists from birth.

Hysteroscopy can also serve to:-

• Determine the reason for miscarriages or infertility issues that happen pretty often.
• Find out the intrauterine device (IUD) position.
• After birth, the diagnosed disease and the placental tissue are examined.

Who is entitled to a hysteroscopy?

Your surgeon will assess your history of medical problems and evaluation of your present medical condition to determine whether hysteroscopy is an option for you. Even if hysteroscopy has numerous benefits, it is not a procedure for everyone. For instance, do not consider

Hysteroscopy if:

• You are pregnant;
• You have a pelvic infection.

Treatment Conditions

If your MCs (menstrual cycles) are regular, your surgeon will suggest scheduling your hysteroscopy for the first week after your bleeding ends. This way, the uterus becomes clearly visible. If you have irregular menstrual cycles, it may take coordination with your surgeon to find the best time for the hysteroscopy. The procedure can happen anytime after menopause.

What happens before hysteroscopy?

Before hysteroscopy, the surgeon will ensure you are eligible for the procedure, explain it to you, and answer all your questions. A health expert will impart instructions to the patient on preparing for the procedure.

Your healthcare provider may:

• Take a medical history, including what medications (vitamins and supplements) you are taking. Before the procedure, you should stop your anticoagulants, including aspirin.
• Conduct a physical examination, pelvic examination, and a pregnancy test; depending on the specifics of your procedure, you may need some blood work or other diagnostic tests done.
• Inform you on how to prepare: what to wear for the procedure, whether you need to fast beforehand, and whether you will need someone to take you back home after your hysteroscopy.

What is the procedure likely to involve during a Hysteroscopy?

On the day of the procedure, the health care team may ask the patient to empty their bladder and put on a hospital gown. They may receive some basic anesthesia or sedation to help them relax. Whether they have sedation or general anesthesia usually depends on whether it's taking place in the hospital or in the surgeon's office and whether there will be any other procedures done at the same time.

You may lie on an exam table, with your legs put up in the stirrups. Once you are in place, your surgeon will:-

• Pelvic examination.
• Open the cervix to insert the hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus.
• Activate a liquid solution via the hysteroscope to flow into the uterus, thereby distending it and clearing blood or mucus. It allows your surgeon to see inside the uterus, its lining, and the openings of the tubes.
• Inspect the cavity of your uterus and openings to your fallopian tubes, where the light emanating from the hysteroscope enhances the view that your surgeon is getting.
• Introduce surgical instruments manipulated through the hysteroscope to remove any atypical irregularities, if necessary.

Hysteroscopy can take from 5 minutes to more than an hour, depending on whether the procedure is diagnostic or operative and whether the gynecologist performs it in conjunction with another method, such as laparoscopy. Generally, diagnostic hysteroscopy takes less time than operative hysteroscopy.

What may happen to the patient after a hysteroscopy?

If given anesthesia during hysteroscopy, the patient will probably be observed in the recovery room for several hours after the procedure. There might be low or moderate cramping and minor bleeding for a few days afterward, and it is not unusual for someone to feel somewhat light-headed or nauseous immediately following the procedure.

Will an individual have to spend time in the hospital after a hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is considered minor surgery and generally doesn't need an overnight hospital stay, even though your provider may want to keep you overnight for observation to be safe if you may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

What advantages will the individual patients get from hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy can allow diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure performed by your surgeon. Furthermore, hysteroscopy enables minimally invasive, exact surgery. An accurate hysteroscopy will allow your surgeon to locate and remove the area without damaging surrounding tissue.

How secure is the hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a safe procedure. As with all surgical procedures, there may be complications. However, such complications occur in less than 1 in 100 cases when it pertains to hysteroscopy, and they can be:-

• Infection
• Heavy bleeding
• Intrauterine scarring
• Reaction to the anesthesia
• Damage to the cervix, uterus, bowel, or bladder
• Reaction to the solution used for distending the uterus.

Time in Recovery after Hysteroscopy:

Recovery times can depend on the size and extent of your surgery, from diagnostic alone to diagnostic with operative hysteroscopy. Typically, after hysterectomy surgery, most people are prescribed two weeks of no vaginal intercourse, no douching, and no inserting anything into the vagina (tampons, for example). During recovery, some patients may get instructions to avoid baths, swimming, and hot tubs.

Follow your doctor's directions for your individual needs.

At what point should I contact my doctor?

Inform your provider if you get:-

• fever;
• severe stomach pain;
• heavy bleeding from the vagina.

How does hysteroscopy feel like?

Every individual is different. Research shows that the length of the procedure, whether this individual has had a baby before, and the anxiety level before surgery may contribute to an individual's pain perception during hysteroscopy.

Talk to your surgeon about your concerns. Find out from them what to expect during your hysteroscopy. Ask about what type of anesthesia you'll get to keep comfortable through the procedure.

Are you conscious while performing a Hysteroscopy?

It usually varies, as the effects of hysteroscopy depend on many factors, such as the type of anesthesia used (local, regional, or general). General anesthesia will make you unconscious.

• Local anesthesia: A small portion of your body will be numb for a little while.
• Regional anesthesia: A larger part of your body will become numb for hours.
• General anesthesia: Your whole body will be numb for all surgeries.

In case of the use of general anesthesia, you may not be allowed to take anything orally for a specific time before hysteroscopy.

Is hysteroscopy considered a major surgery?

An operative hysteroscopy is considered a minor surgery and does not usually involve overnight hospital stays. A less invasive procedure than just opening the abdomen to access organs, hysteroscopy can be performed through the vagina.

What is the difference between D&Cs and hysteroscopies?

No, operative Hysteroscopy and D&Cs (dilation and curettage) allow your surgeon to remove tissue from your uterus. Hysteroscopy allows your provider to find growths and remove them with precise surgical instruments. At the same time, your surgeon uses D&C to sample a larger amount of tissue from your uterine lining with gentle scraping.

Is hysteroscopy the matter of concern?

No. There is no reason for one to be concerned. Hysteroscopy is a very safe procedure with minimal risk.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Hysteroscopy in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Hysteroscopy in Lucknow, India. Our experienced gynecologists use advanced hysteroscopic equipment to accurately diagnose and treat conditions inside the uterus with precision. We ensure careful evaluation, minimally invasive treatment, faster recovery, and comprehensive care before and after the procedure. With a focus on patient safety, quality outcomes, and affordable pricing, our hysteroscopy cost is suitable for women seeking high-quality uterine evaluation and treatment in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Hysteroscopy in Lucknow, India: