Preparing For Hysteroscopy and What to Expect

Medical imaging makes it possible to look under your skin and examine the condition of internal organs, such as your uterus. You may need an imaging exam of your uterus to diagnose a condition like uterine fibroids or polyps. When you know more about what’s going on inside your body, you can make better decisions about your health care.

Dr. Kristin M. Jackson and the team of women’s health care providers at Advanced Urogynecology of Maitland, Florida, use an exam called a hysteroscopy to look at the interior of your uterus. 

Dr. Jackson may recommend this exam if you’re experiencing abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain. A hysteroscopy might be the first step in diagnosing your condition and finding a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and improve your reproductive health and wellness.

What should you do to prepare for your hysteroscopy, and what can you expect on the day of your appointment and afterward? Here's what happens during this type of exam, along with some professional tips on how to prepare.

Preparing for a hysteroscopy

Preparing for your hysteroscopy starts the night before your appointment, when you’ll need to take Misoprostol medication before you go to bed. You’ll also need to stop taking medicines that reduce blood clotting before your procedure.

When you wake up, we suggest eating a light meal so you don’t arrive at your appointment on an empty stomach. We’ll give you a chance to use the bathroom before your procedure.

Don’t stress too much about your exam appointment. This exam can be somewhat uncomfortable, but won’t take up too much of your day, or be too disruptive. You don’t necessarily need someone to drive you after your appointment, but some of our patients prefer to arrange for a family member or friend to pick them up.

What happens in a hysteroscopy

You change into a hospital gown for your procedure. For the exam, you rest on an exam table with your legs raised in stirrups. Before your exam begins, we provide numbing medication. This is delivered through a muscular injection, which may sting a little.

A hysteroscopy doesn’t involve any incisions or stitches. Instead, in this procedure, your provider at Advanced Urogynecology inserts a tiny, lighted camera tool called a hysteroscope into your uterus through your vaginal canal.

After completing a pelvic exam, Dr. Jackson dilates your cervix for camera insertion. She lets you know when it’s time to insert the camera probe. You may feel some fullness and experience discomfort during insertion. Often, the procedure is accompanied by a sensation of mild to moderate cramping, similar to the cramps you experience during your menstrual period. Most patients tolerate the discomfort fairly well.

Through the hysteroscope wand, we gently push a liquid solution into your uterus to clear it for view. Dr. Jackson can also insert surgical tools through the hysteroscope if your procedure is for treatment of an abnormality, rather than diagnosis. If needed, she may collect a tissue sample for biopsy during your procedure.

Depending on the reason for the procedure, your appointment can be relatively brief or may last an hour or more. Operative procedures or additional procedures can increase your treatment time.

You can get back to your daily life activities right away after your exam appointment. Over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, or a heating pad positioned on your back or abdomen, help with cramping and post-exam discomfort. In some cases, you could experience some light bleeding or spotting after your exam. It’s fine to use either pads or tampons until this stops on its own.

For top-quality gynecological and women’s health care, including hysteroscopy exams, contact Dr. Jackson at Advanced Urogynecology today. Call now or book your appointment with our easy-to-use online tool.