Description

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to see inside your uterus to diagnose and treat the causes of abnormal bleeding. Hysteroscopy is performed using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the inside of the cervix and uterus. An operative hysteroscopy can be used to remove polyps, fibroids, and adhesions. Hysteroscopy is a procedure that can be used to both diagnose and treat the causes of abnormal bleeding. The procedure allows your doctor to view the inside of your uterus with an instrument called a hysteroscope. This is a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the inside of the cervix and uterus. Hysteroscopy can be a diagnostic procedure or part of an operative procedure. Diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to diagnose uterine problems. Diagnostic hysteroscopy is also used to confirm the results of other tests, such as hysterosalpingography (HSG). HSG is an X-ray dye test used to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. Diagnostic hysteroscopy can often be performed in an office setting. Additionally, hysteroscopy can be used with other procedures, such as laparoscopy, or before procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C). In laparoscopy, your doctor will insert an endoscope (a thin tube fitted with a fiber-optic camera) into your abdomen to view the outside of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The endoscope is inserted through your navel or through an incision made below. Operative hysteroscopy is used to correct an abnormal condition that was discovered during a diagnostic hysteroscopy. If an abnormal condition was detected during diagnostic hysteroscopy, an operative hysteroscopy can be performed at the same time, avoiding the need for a second surgery. During operative hysteroscopy, small instruments used to correct the condition are inserted through the hysteroscope.