Why It Is Done

This procedure allows the healthcare provider to inspect the inside of a woman’s uterus, and can detect fibroid tumours, polyps, adhesions, and physical abnormalities. All of these abnormalities can impact fertility.

How It Is Done

The procedure is often performed in conjunction with laparoscopy and usually takes place under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. It is done in an operating room or healthcare provider’s office and is typically performed soon after menstruation. The uterus is easier to evaluate at this stage of a woman’s cycle because the lining is thin and it ensures that the test does not interrupt a pregnancy.

A lighted tube called a hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina, cervix and into the uterus. Once the tube is in the uterus, a gas or a liquid is passed through it in order to separate the walls of the uterus, making it easier for the healthcare provider to see. If defects are seen, they can sometimes be treated at the same time.