What to Expect at Your Hysteroscopy Procedure
We understand that before your hysteroscopy procedure, you may be anxious
Don’t be. We don’t want you to worry.
We have used this procedure to help us diagnose and treat hundreds of Triangle area women. Because we want to put you at ease, we’ll give you a complete idea of what a hysteroscopy is, what to expect and how to prepare for your hysteroscopy recovery.
What Is a Hysteroscopy?
This is a procedure we use to treat problems related to the uterus. We use a hysteroscope—which is a thin tube with a light attached to it. We gently insert this into your uterus through your vagina.
The purpose of the hysteroscope is to transmit images of your uterus that we monitor on a screen to help us achieve an accurate diagnosis.
Sometimes we may use other instruments during the procedure, for example, to obtain a biopsy.
Why Would I Have a Hysteroscopy Procedure?
If you’ve had abnormal bleeding or problems with irregular or unusually heavy periods, we may wish to perform a hysteroscopy to examine and diagnose any problems with your uterus.
Sometimes, these menstrual patterns can indicate non-cancerous growths like polyps or fibroids.
We also may also perform a hysteroscopy to:
Is a Hysteroscopy Painful?
While it may be uncomfortable and you may have some cramping, it shouldn’t be painful. Sometimes, we’ll even prescribe a sedative to help you relax.
Depending upon the purpose of the procedure, we may even use anesthesia. However, we’ll decide this on a case-by-case basis.
Sometimes, we may use a local anesthetic to numb your cervix.
If you have any worries or concerns about any discomfort during the hysteroscopy procedure, ask us! We are here for you and want to have open and honest communication with you.
Do I Have to Go to the Hospital?
Not necessarily. This is one of many procedures we can perform in our office. We’re pleased to be able to have state-of-the-art technology conveniently available for our OBGYN patients in Raleigh and the surrounding areas.
How to Prepare for a Hysteroscopy
Because you may be sedated or under anesthesia, you should have someone drive you home after the procedures.
It’s very important to have a pregnancy test beforehand—a hysteroscopy cannot be performed if you’re pregnant. Therefore, you should be very diligent about using your birth control before the procedure.
Depending upon the type of anesthetic used, we’ll tell you whether or not you should avoid eating or drinking before the procedure.
How Long Is the Recovery?
While this will vary depending upon the patient, in general, you can expect to return to regular activities within 24 hours. If you’ve had treatment for fibroid removal or if you were under general anesthesia, you may decide to take a few days off of work to rest.
You might have some discharge after the procedure.
While you are free to resume your normal activities, you should avoid anything strenuous. Depending upon why you had a hysteroscopy, you may wish to avoid intensive sports. However, in general, there are no blanket restrictions on activities.
Associates in Women’s Healthcare: Offering the Convenience of In-Office Procedures
Your safety and health is our first priority.
Always.
We also realize that it is often more convenient to have procedures performed in our office instead of through a hospital.
That’s why we offer a wide range of in-office services, including:
- Colposcopy (a way of closely examining the cervix)
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), which removes abnormal cervical tissue
- Sonohysterography, a certain type of ultrasound exam that enables us to see the lining of the uterus
- Endometrial ablation
For generations, women have trusted us as the premier OBGYN in Raleigh and surrounding communities. Why?
Because we’re concerned about much more than your gynecological health. We want to be sure you are in the best overall health you could possibly be. That’s why we’ll ask you questions about your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
We would love the opportunity to care for you. Please contact us for an appointment today.
