What Is a Hysteroscopy?

If your doctor says you need a hysteroscopy, you may wonder: What is that? You’re not alone. Though it’s a routine test, many women aren’t familiar with the gynecological procedure because so few people talk about what happens in the gynecologist’s office.

At CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our fertility specialists don’t want to keep you in the dark. We aim to demystify the procedure so you can feel more informed and in control. 

Whether you’re experiencing unusual gynecological symptoms or struggling to get pregnant, a hysteroscopy can give us a clearer picture of what’s going on inside your uterus, and maybe even provide answers you’re searching for.

What is a hysteroscopy?

A hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic test and therapeutic procedure we use to examine the inside of your uterus, also called the womb. Despite how it sounds, a hysteroscopy isn’t a type of traditional surgery.

For the test, we use a hysteroscope, a thin telescoping instrument with a light and camera on the end. We gently insert the tool through the vagina and cervix, allowing us to view the uterus in real-time on a computer screen. It gives us a detailed look at your reproductive anatomy without making incisions.

Why you might need a hysteroscopy

We may recommend a hysteroscopy to investigate gynecological symptoms like abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or frequent miscarriage. We also perform the test to better understand the possible cause of your infertility.

The test can help us diagnose and treat conditions like:

• Uterine fibroids
• Polyps
• Intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue)
• Thickened uterine lining 
• Abnormalities present since birth
• Placement or removal of an intrauterine device (IUD)

In many cases, we can diagnose and treat minor issues in one appointment. 

What happens during hysteroscopy

Depending on the reason for your hysteroscopy, we may perform the test at the office or in an outpatient surgical suite. We typically schedule the test when you don’t have your period for best visibility.

We may give you medication that dilates the cervix to minimize discomfort, along with medication that helps you relax. We might use a local or general anesthetic if we plan to perform a procedure in addition to the visual exam. 

We insert a speculum into your vagina, followed by the hysteroscope, guiding it through the cervix until it reaches your uterus. We fill the uterus with gas or saline fluid to gently open it up, allowing for better visibility of the uterine wall. 

We examine the uterus for abnormalities. If needed, we guide surgical tools through the hysteroscope to do a biopsy or remove polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue

The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes, but the actual examination of the uterus makes up about 10 minutes of that time. You may feel some cramping or pressure, similar to menstrual cramps, but most patients tolerate the discomfort.

You go home soon after the procedure, but you should take it easy the remainder of the day. You may feel some mild cramping and have some spotting, but most people go back to normal activities within a day. 

Findings from a hysteroscopy

We use the information we gather to better understand the cause of your infertility. For example, finding and correcting uterine abnormalities like fibroids or uterine adhesions may improve your chances of pregnancy.

A hysteroscopy also helps us rule out these conditions so we can move ahead with other fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

At CARE Fertility, we believe in giving you the information and support you need to make confident decisions about your reproductive health. A hysteroscopy is more than a diagnostic test; it’s a valuable tool that can uncover hidden issues and offer real solutions.

If you’re navigating infertility or have unexplained symptoms, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts by contacting us today.