Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure uses a tiny telescope, called a hysteroscope, to examine the inside of the uterus. The hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. A camera attached to the end of the hysteroscope transmits the image of your uterus onto a screen, enabling the physician to look for fibroids, polyps, and other areas of concern.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy requires no anesthesia, enabling the procedure to be done in an office setting by a skilled gynecologist.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy can be used to diagnosis the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, to perform a biopsy, or to check for cancerous growth. During the procedure, polyps or samples of the lining of the uterus can be obtained.
Therapeutic hysteroscopy is also available, in which very specialized surgical instruments are used with the hysteroscope to treat areas of concern found in the uterus.