05 Aug Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that lets the doctor look inside the womb (uterus). This is done using a narrow tube-like instrument called a hysteroscope. The hysteroscope is very slim (about 3 to 5 millimetres in diameter). It’s carefully passed through the vagina and neck of the uterus (cervix) and into ther uterus. The hysteroscope has a video camera inside which sends pictures to a computer screen. This allows the doctor to check for any abnormalities in the lining of the uterus.

What is hysteroscopy used for?

A hysteroscopy may be used to try to determine the cause of various problems such as:

• Heavy or irregular bleeding that has not got better with medication.
• Bleeding in between periods.
• Bleeding after menopause.
• Irregular bleeding whilst taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
• Unexplained miscarriages.

As well as being used to investigate the cause of various problems, it can also be used to:

• Remove polyps – small lumps of tissue growing on the lining of the uterus.
• Remove scar tissue in the uterus.
• Remove adhesions (areas where the walls of the uterus are sticking together).
• Remove fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the uterus).
• Locate a ‘lost’ or stuck contraceptive device, such as an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) – also known as a ‘coil’.