Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows visualisation of the inside of your uterus. It involves passing a camera (Hysteroscope) into the uterine cavity. This can help diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding and uterine abnormalities. Hysteroscopy can be either diagnostic or operative.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to diagnose problems of the uterus such as causes for abnormal uterine bleeding. It can be performed in an office setting, however, any additional procedures such as removal of a polyp need to be performed in the operating theatre under anaesthesia. Due to this limitation, most hysteroscopies are carried out in the operating theatre to avoid a potential second procedure.
Frequently, hysteroscopy is combined with other procedures, such as laparoscopy, or before procedures such as a dilatation and curettage (D&C).
Operative hysteroscopy involves the use of small flexible instruments alongside the hysteroscope to correct underlying pathology.
Hysteroscopy is useful in the following uterine conditions:
- Abnormal bleeding and Infertility — Hysteroscopy can help identify the cause of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) including excluding endometrial cancer. It can detect and treat conditions that contribute to infertility such as endometrial polyps, fibroids, adhesions and uterine septums.
- Endometrial Polyps and Fibroids — Common cause of uterine bleeding and infertility.
- Uterine Septum — This is a congenital malformation of the uterus associated with recurrent miscarriage. It can be detected via ultrasound and confirmed/treated by Hysteroscopy.
- Adhesions (also known as Asherman’s Syndrome) – Uterine adhesions/scar tissue may cause AUB and Infertility. Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose the condition. It is also used to treat the condition by releasing the adhesions and restoring the uterine cavity back to normal.