During a hysteroscopy, your physician will insert a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a hysteroscope into your vagina to examine your cervix and uterus. The procedure is not a surgery and is usually performed in an outpatient setting or at your physician's office under local or no anesthesia. In more complicated cases, you may undergo a hysteroscopy in an operating room under local, regional or general anesthesia. If you are pregnant, you cannot undergo this procedure.

During a hysteroscopy, your physician may:

• Do a biopsy (tissue sample)
• Remove fibroid tumors or polyps
• Perform an endometrial ablation to prevent heavy menstrual bleeding
• Remove intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Put birth control inserts in the fallopian tubes

Reasons you may need a hysteroscopy

There are several reasons your physician may want you to have a hysteroscopy, including:

• Abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding
• Bleeding during menopause
• Abnormal Pap smear results
• Infertility or repeated miscarriages
• Birth control procedures