Hysteroscopy: Causes, Process and Risks

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Taking care of one’s reproductive health has always required extra and conscious efforts from the women but lately, due to a drastic shift in the lifestyle of the human population as well as the apparent shift in the world climatic conditions, it has demanded new and more cautious attention for healthy functioning.

Gratefully with increasing complications as the civilization ages, the medical science has developed at an equal and appreciable pace, thus, making it convenient for the population to seek proper professional care in case of severe conditions.

Hysteroscopy is one of these discoveries that have helped medical experts to deal with the reproductive health of a woman with more control and expertise. Hysteroscopy is a process in which a tube, called hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina of a female to get a clear image of the uterus of the female. Hysteroscope is a thin tube with light and camera at one of its end, which is inserted inside the vagina. This camera is attached to a monitor where the image of the womb is reflected as the hysteroscope travels the passage from the vagina to cervix to finally the uterus.

The process of hysteroscopy can be suggested or prescribed by the doctor due to several reasons that may vary from a general reproductive check up to treating fibroids in the uterus. Undergoing hysteroscopy doesn’t necessarily suggest a serious medical condition rather the majority of the times it is taken up to deal with mild reproductive conditions.

Some of the reasons why your doctor might suggest you a hysteroscopy could fall among under mentioned causes:-

  1. Hysteroscopy can be prescribed to a female in case of irregular menstruation or excessive painful menstrual cycles. In this case, hysteroscopy is done mostly to look at the condition of uterine linings, fallopian tube and the other reproductive parts to make sure if there is any physical cause to the issue other than the hormonal causes.
  2. It is also used to check the reproductive tract in case of post-menopausal bleeding in a female.
  3. The doctor might use the method to check the presence of any kinds of cysts, fibroids, polyps or scarring (thick adhesions) in the reproductive tract that might lead to abnormalities in the reproductive health.
  4. It is also used in the procedure of finding out the cause for infertility or repetitive miscarriages in a female.
  5. Doctor might also use the method is order to procure a sample (biopsy) of the lining of the uterus i.e. endometrium.
  6. In case a female opts for sterilization hysteroscopy is used in the process to carry out a successful treatment.
  7. Many women use IUDs as a method of birth control. In case a woman seeks to implant IUDs or get the pre-implanted IUDs checked in case of them having moved out of place, hysteroscopy comes as a convenient solution.
  8. It can also be used in the diagnosis of conditions like endometriosis, PCOD, PCOS etc.

These happen to be some of the common reasons for the use of hysteroscopy. However, the doctor might suggest it in other conditions as well owing to the need of the moment and the patient’s medical state.

The procedure of hysteroscopy isn’t an elaborate and complex one rather it is quite simple and convenient. The process requires the patient to be relaxed to aid which doctors might prescribe some medicines immediately prior to the process of hysteroscopy in some cases the doctor might also use general anaesthetics to make the patient remain asleep during the process. However, the use of general anaesthetics isn’t mandatory and depends on the patient and the other medical conditions of the patient that compel a doctor to use it. After making the patient relaxed and comfortable enough to carry out the process the vagina of the patient is enlarged using medicines or tools like speculum. Further, the cervix is held open using tools like dilators. After the vagina and cervix have been opened enough for the smooth insertion of a hysteroscope, the tube is finally inserted inside the cervix of the woman through the vagina to finally reach the inner parts of the womb i.e. the uterus. A gas or a liquid like saline is then injected inside the uterus of the female through the hysteroscope to inflate the uterus in order to be able to receive clear and definite images of the linings of the uterus and the opening s of the fallopian tube.

The process hysteroscopy might talk an hour to be completed or it might even get over in mere 5 to 10 minutes depending upon the gravity of the condition and the requirements of the doctor to carry out a precise diagnosis.

There aren’t any post-hysteroscopy conditions or symptoms in the majority of the cases. However, in some cases, the patient might undergo mild cramping or bleeding. The patient might also report the problem of gas which can sustain for a maximum of 24 hours. In such conditions, the doctor might prescribe some normal medicines and the cause is supposed to subside in a very short period of time. It is also always suggestive to avoid sexual intercourse for the following two weeks for the couple to avoid even the mild chances of infection.

The process of hysteroscopy isn’t supposed to have any major side effects or any side effects at all. The process doesn’t bear chances of major risks to follow the completion of the procedure but few side effects or mild risks can be noted in a few cases. These mentioned side effects aren’t usually noted in cases where hysteroscopy is used for normal check-ups rather they are chances for them to occur in case hysteroscopy is used in the process of treating any of the reproductive conditions.

Few of these risks can be noted as:-

  1. Problems from anaesthesia (in case of anaesthetic hysteroscopy).
  2. Infection caused during the process.
  3. Tearing or damage of the uterine lining or cervix of the female.
  4. The process can sometimes lead to problems related to gas and can turn severe in some cases.
  5. It can also lead to the discharge of liquid from the uterus.
  6. It can also cause damage to the nearby organs like bladder, bowel ovaries. However, chances of such damage are highly rare.
  7. It might lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases that might require quick medical attention.
  8. It might also lead to fever, severe cramps and heavy as well as painful bleeding in some case.

All these symptoms are quite rare to occur with all the prior precaution taken by the medical specialist. However, in case of report or experience of any such condition immediate medical consultancy is suggested that would help the patient avail immediate treatment under proper medical supervision.

Talking about the proper medical supervision and guidance, we here are Apollo Cradle has been successfully providing this medical assistance to our patients since 3 decades now. Apollo Cradle Motinagar is equipped and capable enough to cater to all such cases. We work efficiently due to our underlying core of efficient specialists, well-trained nurses, and a well-equipped infrastructure and advanced machinery. In addition to our expertise at the various specialty (pediatrics, gynecology, fertility, maternity etc.) centers that Apollo Cradle provides to our patients, we also ensure a safe, healthy and homely environment for our patients to stay and recover in as well as smooth and friendly assistance and services to the family members. Apollo Cradle ensures you and your family of prosperous health through its services.