WHAT IS HYSTEROSCOPY?
Hysteroscopy is a procedure carried out to examine & inspect the inside of the female reproductive organs such as the uterus. In this procedure an instrument is known as hysteroscope is used to which is inserted through the patient’s natural orifices.
WHY IS HYSTEROSCOPY PERFORMED?
Hysteroscopy may be performed to investigate symptoms, diagnose conditions and treat conditions.
Following are the conditions which are diagnosed or treated with the help of hysteroscopy
FIBROIDS:
Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas or fibroids, are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Most women have no symptoms while others may have painful or heavy periods. Hysteroscopy is generally used in the case of submucosal fibroid i.e. when the fibroid is present in the womb.
UTERINE POLYPS:
Uterine polyps can be removed surgically by procedure called hysteroscopy. These polyps are benign (non cancerous) growths attached to uterine lining.This Overgrown endometerium cells lead to the formation of uterine polyps. The polyps formed can range from few millimeters to few centimeters. Hysteroscopy allows your doctor to examine the inside of your uterus for any polyps and can be send to lab to examine.
ADHESIOLYSIS:
Adhesiolysis is the removal of adhesions. An adhesion is nothing but a band of scar tissue which initially develops as a part of the human body’s repair mechanism in response to any tissue disturbances, for instances due to previous surgeries.
Also hysteroscopy also used for the following conditions such as, chronic pelvic pain, repeated miscarriages and heavy menstrual periods are investigated with the help of hysteroscopy.
HYSTEROSCOPY PROCEDURE
During the hysteroscopy the doctor may or may not administer anesthesia depending on the purpose of the hysteroscopy and extent of the condition. The following steps are carried out during the procedure: Your doctor may send to a specialist for this procedure similar to the gynaecology exam.
- You will require to lie down positon same as your gynecology exam. The lower half of your body will be covered by sheet.
- First examiner will insert an instrument called speculum inside vagina to remain open when examining.
- An antiseptic solution is used to clean the vagina and the cervix.
- The hysteroscope is passed into the womb, this may cause some cramping.
- Fluid is pumped into the uterus, so that the surgeon can see things clearly.
- The hysteroscope relays images to a monitor, which helps the doctor to indentify abnormalities, if there are any.
- If hysteroscopy is performed to treat a condition, such as fibroids, the doctor will pass the instruments along with the hysteroscope. These instruments are used to burn or cut the abnormality.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM A HYSTEROSCOPY?
The hysteroscopy can be performed for examining or for surgical treatment purposes. Therefore the recovery time can vary most women can return to normal activity same day they had hysteroscopy In many cases, it is an outpatient procedure, i.e. the patient can leave on the same day. But this may vary according to purpose of hysteroscopy & the extent of the condition. In some cases, you can eat & drink water within hours after the operation. Some women return to their normal work routine on the same day, but if you have been administered anesthesia, it’s advised to take a day off. Again, the time period for recovery may vary according to the purpose of hysteroscopy and extent of the condition.