Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure in which the inside of the uterus is examined with a camera. It can be done in an office using local anesthesia or in an operating room using general anesthesia. The procedure is normally done to evaluate abnormal uterine bleeding.

The cervix is first dilated, or opened. Then the uterus is filled with a fluid that causes it to expand. The hysteroscope is then inserted into the cavity and a camera projects the images onto a viewing screen.

Hysteroscopy is used to identify abnormalities of the uterus like fibroids, polyps, or scar tissue. These can then be removed during the procedure.