Hysteroscopy is a procedure that uses a specially designed camera to examine the inside of the uterus. The camera is inserted through the cervix, allowing the doctor to access the uterus without the need for incisions.

Hysteroscopy can be performed on its own for diagnostic purposes. Viewing the inside of the uterus allows the doctor to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms. However, in many cases, hysteroscopy is used to perform minor surgical procedures inside the uterus.

Several conditions can be treated through a hysteroscopic procedure. One such procedure is endometrial ablation, which involves removing the endometrium, the thin layer of tissue lining the uterus. This removal can be performed using various methods, including radiofrequency energy, heat, or freezing. Endometrial ablation is commonly used to treat heavy menstrual periods that have not responded to medication.

Another hysteroscopic procedure is the removal of uterine fibroids (leiomyomata). These noncancerous growths can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and infertility. Fibroids can be removed during hysteroscopy using sharp instruments or a metal instrument heated with an electrical current.

Polyps, growths inside the uterus, can also be addressed during hysteroscopy. Polyps are sometimes cancerous or precancerous. A polypectomy involves removing polyps with a sharp instrument or a metal instrument heated with an electrical current. If a larger growth is present or the entire growth cannot be removed, a portion may be extracted for analysis, a procedure known as a biopsy. The sample is sent to a laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous.

A procedure known as dilation and curettage (D&C) is often performed alongside a polypectomy or biopsy. This involves scraping out all or part of the uterine lining, with the tissue sent to a laboratory for analysis. D&C can help diagnose unexplained vaginal bleeding or other symptoms.