A hysteroscopy is a procedure used to examine the inside of the womb (uterus).
It’s carried out using a hysteroscope, which is a narrow telescope with a light and camera at the end. Images are sent to a monitor so your doctor or specialist nurse can see inside your womb.
The hysteroscope is passed into your womb through your vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb), which means no cuts need to be made in your skin.
A hysteroscopy can be used to:
A procedure called dilatation and curettage (D&C) used to be commonly used to examine the womb and remove abnormal growths, but nowadays hysteroscopies are carried out instead.
A hysteroscopy is usually carried out on an outpatient or day-case basis. This means you don’t have to stay in hospital overnight.
It may not be necessary to use anaesthetic for the procedure, although local anaesthetic (where medication is used to numb your cervix) can be used.
General anaesthetic may be used if you’re having treatment during the procedure or you would prefer to be asleep while it’s carried out.
During a hysteroscopy:
A hysteroscopy can take up to 30 minutes in total, although it may only last around 5 to 10 minutes if it’s just being done to diagnose a condition or investigate symptoms. You may feel pain or discomfort while it’s carried out. It’s recommended that you take pain relief (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen) 1 to 2 hours before the appointment.
If it is too painful, it is important to let your healthcare professional know as the procedure can be stopped at any time.
Most women feel able to return to their normal activities the following day, although some women return to work the same day.
You may wish to have a few days off to rest if general anaesthetic was used.
While you’re recovering:
Your doctor or nurse will discuss the findings of the procedure with you before you leave hospital.
A hysteroscopy is generally very safe, but like any procedure there is a small risk of complications. The risk is higher for women who have treatment during a hysteroscopy.
Some of the main risks associated with a hysteroscopy are:
A hysteroscopy will only be carried out if the benefits are thought to outweigh the risks.
A hysteroscopy is a simple procedure usually carried out on an outpatient or day-case basis. This means you won’t normally need to stay in hospital overnight.
In the days and weeks before a hysteroscopy, you may be advised to:
If you’re going to have fibroids removed, you may be given medicine to help shrink them beforehand.
A hysteroscopy isn’t usually carried out under anaesthetic, as it’s a relatively quick procedure and doesn’t involve making cuts (incisions) in your skin.
A local anaesthetic can be given to numb your cervix (entrance to the womb) during the procedure.
Longer or more complicated procedures, such as the removal of fibroids, may be done under general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep while the operation is carried out.
You may feel pain or discomfort while a hysteroscopy is carried out. Taking pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen 1 to 2 hours before the appointment can help reduce this.
If you’re having a general anaesthetic, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure. Your appointment letter will mention whether this applies to you.
If you’re having no anaesthetic or just a local anaesthetic, you can eat and drink as normal.
It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes when you arrive for your appointment, as you’ll be asked to remove any clothes from below your waist and change into a hospital gown for the procedure.
You can bring a friend or relative with you for support, although they may not be allowed in the room during your hysteroscopy.
A hysteroscopy usually takes between 5 and 30 minutes. During the procedure:
If it is too painful, it is important to let your healthcare professional know as the procedure can be stopped at any time.
In some cases, a small sample of tissue from the womb lining may be removed for further testing. This is known as an endometrial biopsy.
If you’re having a hysteroscopy to treat a condition such as fibroids or polyps, fine surgical instruments can be passed along the hysteroscope. These are used to cut or burn away the abnormal tissue.
You should be able to go home soon after a hysteroscopy, although you may need to stay in hospital for a few hours if you had a general anaesthetic.
Your doctor or nurse will discuss their findings with you before you leave, although it may take a few weeks to get the results of a biopsy.
You can usually return to your normal activities later the same day or the following day if no anaesthetic or just a local anaesthetic was used. If you had a general anaesthetic, you may need to take things easy for a day or two.
You should be able to go home on the same day as your hysteroscopy. If you had an anaesthetic, you may need to stay in hospital for a few hours until it has worn off.
You can drive yourself home if no anaesthetic or only local anaesthetic was used. If you had a general anaesthetic, you won’t be able to drive for at least 24 hours, so you’ll have to arrange for someone to take you home.
It’s a good idea to rest when you get home.
If you had a general anaesthetic, someone should stay with you for at least 24 hours until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. Don’t drive or drink alcohol during this time.
While you recover, you may experience:
These side effects are normal and nothing to worry about, but you should seek medical advice if they are particularly severe.
Most women feel they can return to normal activities, including work, the day after having a hysteroscopy. Some women return to work later the same day.
However, you may wish to have a few days off to rest, particularly if you had treatment such as fibroids removal and/or a general anaesthetic was used.
Your doctor or surgeon can advise you about any activities you need to avoid while you recover, but generally speaking:
Your doctor or nurse will let you know whether they found anything unusual during your hysteroscopy, or discuss how any treatment went, straight away.
If a small sample of tissue (biopsy) was removed from the womb, it can take several weeks to get your results. These may be sent through the post to your home address or to your doctor’s surgery.
Make sure you know how you’ll receive your results before leaving the hospital.
Contact your GP or the hospital clinic if you experience:
These symptoms could be a sign of a problem, such as an infection.
Last updated:
15 January 2024