Hysteroscopy Procedure Step By Step | Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure that requires only a half-a-day stay at the hospital. Both diagnostic hysteroscopy and operative hysteroscopy have the advantage of shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery, fewer/no cuts, and less discomfort.

Pre-requisites of hysteroscopy

Your doctor may give you certain instructions before the hysteroscopy is performed. Instructions include:

• Blood tests and pregnancy tests a week before hysteroscopy whose reports are mandatory before you undergo this surgical procedure.
• Use contraception during intercourse as hysteroscopy cannot be performed during pregnancy.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol before hysteroscopy as they can increase the risk of surgical complications.
• For fibroids treatment through hysteroscopy, you may be prescribed certain medications to shrink them before the surgery.

The entire procedure of hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy does not mandatorily require anesthesia as the procedure does not involve making incisions. General anesthesia is used only for long, complicated procedures such as fibroid removal. Sometimes, local anesthesia may be used or only painkillers are enough to reduce discomfort during the procedure. The surgical procedure of hysteroscopy includes:

• The vagina and cervix are disinfected with an antiseptic solution.
• Once you are ready for hysteroscopy, an instrument called a speculum is initially inserted into the vaginal opening to keep it open until the completion of hysteroscopy.
• The hysteroscope is slowly inserted through the cervix into the uterus.
• A liquid saline solution is passed through the hysteroscope into the womb that allows your doctor to view the uterine lining and the opening of the fallopian tubules as well.
• The camera of the hysteroscope sends real-time images that are displayed on the monitor. The abnormalities are located easily and required diagnosis, repair, or corrections are performed.
• For operative surgical procedures, additional tools and instruments can be passed along with the hysteroscope.
• Endometrial tissue too can be extracted for endometrial biopsy.
• Once the procedure is done, the hysteroscope along with other instruments, the speculum is safely removed.

Recovery after hysteroscopy

Recovery after hysteroscopy is very quick with no incisions. You would be allowed to go home within a few hours after the procedure. Observations and monitoring will be required in cases of anesthesia administration.

• You may be advised a couple of days rest after which you can resume your daily activities.
• You may observe slight cramping and bleeding a few days after hysteroscopy.
• You may need to refrain from intercourse, strenuous exercises like bending, jumping, etc for at least 2 weeks post hysteroscopy.
• Some of the very rarely occurring symptoms post hysteroscopy are:
• Probable vaginal infection
• Tearing or damage of the vagina, cervix
• Bloating due to gas or liquid influx
• Damage to nearby organs or tissues.