Hysteroscopy

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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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• Hysteroscopy Overview
• Hysteroscopy Preparation
• Hysteroscopy Procedure
• Hysteroscopy Post-Procedure
• Hysteroscopy Risks and Complications
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Hysteroscopy from Healthwise

Hysteroscopy is the process of using a viewing scope to examine the interior of the uterus along with the cervical canal. The scope is inserted through the vagina and into the cervical opening. The procedure can be performed as an aid in the diagnosis of problems with the uterus, or it may be combined with simple surgical techniques for treatment purposes.

Since hysteroscopy examines the interior (lining) of the uterus, it is not appropriate for examination or diagnosis of problems or conditions that occur within the muscular wall or on the outside of the uterus. While hysteroscopy allows visualization of the openings to the Fallopian tubes to the uterine cavity, it does not allow for direct examination of the Fallopian tubes.

Hysteroscopy is one procedure that your doctor may consider for the evaluation and/or treatment of a number of different conditions, including abnormal vaginal bleeding, polyps or tumors inside the uterus, anatomic abnormalities, scarring following previous surgical procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C), and retained placenta. It can also be used for surgical sterilization and to guide the physician to localize an area for endometrial (uterine lining) biopsy.

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