Hysteroscopy involves looking into the cavity of the uterus with a small "scope" as pictured above. Hysteroscopy can be performed as either an office procedure or an outpatient hospital procedure. In the office it is mainly used as a diagnostic tool to help evaluate patients that have infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or abnormal bleeding.
How is hysteroscopy done in the office?
Office hysteroscopy is a relatively painless procedure. Usually an appointment will be made in advance for this procedure. One hour prior to arrival you will be asked to take a mild pain medicine, this may be Motrin or Anaprox, to help with cramping during the procedure. You will be placed in a special chair that tilts back. The doctor will then wash the vagina and cervix off with a "prep" solution. Next a local anesthetic, like the dentists use (lidocaine), will be placed in the cervix. This usually provides excellent relief of any discomfort during the procedure. The doctor will then carefully dilate the cervix to allow the "scope" to be placed into the uterus. Normal saline is attached to the scope to allow the walls of the uterus to expand. A bright light is also attached to the scope to illuminate the cavity of the uterus. The doctor will then carefully look at the inside of the uterus and make sure it is normal, this can be viewed on a monitor during the procedure while still video is taken to become a permanent record in your chart. The places where the fallopian tubes enter into the uterus can usually be seen. Any abnormalities are usually discussed afterward. In most cases a small sample of the lining of the uterus is removed for examination. This is especially true if there is any abnormal bleeding.