What Is A Hysteroscopy?

We speak with Miss Carina Johnstone Ayliffe, consultant gynaecologist at Clementine Churchill Hospital, about having a hysteroscopy.

Links:

Chapters:

00:23: What is a hysteroscopy?
01:08: Why might you need a hysteroscopy?
02:52: How can you prepare for surgery?
03:41: How can you prepare for the surgery?
04:44: How long does it take?
04:54: How long does it take to recover from surgery?

Content What is hysteroscopy?

Starting with the basics, a hysteroscopy is a procedure to look inside your womb using a narrow telescope with a light and camera attached to the end of it. This is called a hysteroscope. The hysteroscope is passed into your womb through your vagina and cervix, which is the entrance to your womb. This means no cuts need to be made into your skin during the process. The hysteroscope is connected to a monitor, which displays images of the inside of your womb, so I can watch your womb in real time while performing surgery. A hysteroscopy is an effective way of examining and diagnosing a range of gynaecological issues, including abnormal bleeding, heavy periods, fibroids, and endometrial cancer.

In some cases, we can also treat these issues during the hysteroscopy.

Why might you need one?

You might have been advised to have a hysteroscopy and feel unsure about what your consultant is looking for, although they will have most likely explained this to you. There are many reasons why you will be recommended to have this procedure. Your consultant might suspect you have uterine fibroids. Most women develop one or more uterine fibroids during their reproductive lifespan. Uterine fibroids can lead to heaviness and pressure across your pelvic area. If they aren’t treated, they can grow, and your symptoms can get much worse.

You might need a hysteroscopy to investigate general pelvic pain. Pelvic pain can be caused by so many things. If you have sudden, excruciating pelvic pain, also known as acute pelvic pain, or experience pelvic pain for six months or more, also known as chronic pain, then you might be recommended a hysteroscopy to understand the cause. These symptoms indicate conditions including endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Intrauterine adhesions are areas of scar tissue that form between the inner walls of your uterus, causing them to stick together in a way that can cause various problems like abnormal bleeding and pain. Adhesions can happen as a result of injury or trauma, for example during pregnancy. These can be found during a hysteroscopy.

A hysteroscopy can be performed to find a pelvic tumour. These can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Pelvic tumours usually cause a feeling of uncomfortable pressure on your tummy, as well as bloating, and urinary and bowel changes.

What are the most common symptoms of a pelvic condition?

These are just some of the conditions that can be diagnosed, and sometimes treated, through hysteroscopy. If you have any of these conditions, you will most likely experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Heavy periods
Irregular periods
Tummy and pelvic pain
Bloating and swelling
A feeling of pressure and fullness across your tummy
Urinary and bowel changes
Pain during sex
Difficulty getting pregnant

Consultant details:

Miss Carina Johnstone Ayliffe is a consultant gynaecologist at Clementine Churchill Hospital.

If you have any of the concerns outlined in this video, seek professional medical help as soon as possible.

Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on your suggested topics.

#hysteroscopy #pelvicpain #pelvicsymptoms

[robertadanci]

I have an appointment for the next week and thank you for your clear and helpful information 🙏🤞😔. This helps me be calm...

[yellowtweety]

Thanks a lot very helpful
After hyserscopy how many days required for driving? Have done my surgery 4 days back can I go to pick my son up from school? Plz reply
Nd what about daily house chores like cooking nd cleaning
Regards