Hysteroscopy

If you’re experiencing abnormal or irregular bleeding, a hysteroscopy can help diagnose its cause so you can get the proper treatment. NY Midtown OB/GYN offers hysteroscopy and other minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedures in their elegant boutique-style offices in midtown Manhattan in New York City and Mamaroneck in Westchester County, New York. Schedule your appointment by phone or click the online booking feature for help today.

What is hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that provides detailed visualization of the inside of your uterus. 

The procedure uses a thin scope equipped with miniature fiber optics to transmit images of your uterine cavity onto a nearby screen so the NY Midtown OB/GYN team can examine it in real time. 

Hysteroscopy requires no incisions; the scope goes into your natural vaginal opening.

Who needs a hysteroscopy?

The main reason for hysteroscopy is to find the reason for abnormal or irregular bleeding. Examples of abnormal bleeding include: 

• Bleeding lasting more than seven days
• Bleeding that soaks one or more sanitary napkins or tampons an hour
• Heavy bleeding
• Bleeding between periods 
• Bleeding after sex
• Menstrual cycle shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• Irregular periods
• Bleeding after menopause

Other reasons you might need hysteroscopy include investigating the cause of abnormal Pap smear results, finding the reason for infertility, or locating and removing displaced intrauterine devices (IUDs). 

What is the hysteroscopy process? 

You’ll lie on your back for a hysteroscopy, just as you would for a routine pelvic exam. You’ll typically receive local anesthesia and a sedative so you won’t experience pain or anxiety during the procedure.

After dilating your vagina to open it wider (usually using a speculum), the hysteroscope goes into your vagina and your uterus. Carbon dioxide gas or saline is flushed through the hysteroscope to enlarge your uterus and improve visibility. 

In many cases, hysteroscopy includes passing thin tools through the hysteroscope to remove tissue for lab testing (biopsy). Or, the team can remove uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, or other abnormal or suspicious growths.

The team monitors you for a short while after the hysteroscopy. A loved one can drive you home afterward. After the hysteroscopy, you may have some bleeding, cramping, and gas for about 24 hours. 

You can usually return to your normal activities the next day, and you’ll receive detailed after-procedure instructions following hysteroscopy. 

What procedure might I need after hysteroscopy?

After your hysteroscopy, you’ll discuss the next steps with the team. Depending on your results, you might need another procedure or further testing. Some of the diagnostic and treatment procedures available include: 

• Hysterectomy
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
• Laparoscopy/minimally invasive surgery
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy
• Robotic surgery
• Ovarian surgery

To schedule your procedure in the comfortable boutique-like setting, call the NY Midtown OB/GYN office nearest you or click online scheduling now.