Hysteroscopy

If you have any abnomalities in vaginal bleeding, the best test to check if there was anything wrong is to have a camera look inside the uterus (Hysteroscopy). At the same time, it is possible to take a biopsy (small piece of tissue) from the lining of the uterus and send that to the lab for analysis to check for cancer. Although conventionally done while you are asleep under anaesthetic, it can increasingly be done in an outpatient setting. This is only suitable if you are prepared to give it a go as ultimately, it remains the woman’s choice on whether or they you wish to have the procedure done without anaesthesia.

Hysteroscopy is a very safe procedure in the right hands. There is very little that can go wrong. It is normal experience irregular bleeding in the week or two after having had a hysteroscopy. There is a small chance of making an unintended hole in the uterus (perforation) in the process but this is usually very well tolerated with a very rare need for additionally surgery at the same setting to check for or repair potential damage to other organs like the bowel and bladder.

All being well, at the end of the procedure, you may wish to have a contraceptive coil inserted. I will discuss this with you before I start the procedure so you are well informed in what you are signing up to.