Hysteroscopy in Bengaluru

Key takeaways

• Hysteroscopy lets your gynaecologist see the uterine cavity directly on a screen.
• Diagnostic hysteroscopy looks; operative hysteroscopy treats in the same sitting.
• There are no abdominal incisions, and most women go home the same day.
• It is best scheduled in the first half of the cycle, just after your period.
• Serious complications are uncommon.

What is hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that uses a hysteroscope, a slim telescope a few millimetres wide, to examine the inside of the uterus. Saline is used to gently open up the cavity so the lining and the openings of the fallopian tubes can be seen clearly.

Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy

Who needs a hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is recommended when a problem inside the uterus is suspected or needs treatment.

• Heavy, irregular or between-period bleeding, or bleeding after menopause
• Endometrial polyps or submucosal fibroids
• Infertility, or before IVF in selected women
• Recurrent miscarriage or recurrent implantation failure
• A suspected uterine septum or other congenital differences
• Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome) after surgery or infection
• A thickened lining on ultrasound, or a “lost” or embedded IUD

Hysteroscopy is not done during pregnancy, with an active pelvic infection, or during heavy bleeding.

What to expect: step by step

1. Consultation: Dr. Divya reviews your symptoms, scans and fertility goals, and explains why hysteroscopy is advised.
2. Scheduling: the procedure is ideally planned after your period stops and before ovulation.
3. Preparation: blood tests, a pregnancy test and an anaesthesia check. You may be asked to fast for 6 hours. Occasionally a medicine is given beforehand to soften the cervix.
4. The procedure: you lie as for a pelvic examination. The hysteroscope is gently passed through the cervix, saline expands the cavity, and the images appear on a monitor.
5. Treatment if needed: fine instruments passed through the scope remove polyps or fibroids, divide adhesions or take a biopsy.
6. Recovery: you rest for an hour or two and usually go home the same day.
7. Follow-up: findings, photographs and biopsy results are discussed at your review visit.

What results can you realistically expect?

Hysteroscopy gives a clear, direct answer about the uterine cavity in nearly all women, and many problems can be treated at the same time.

Removing polyps or submucosal fibroids often improves abnormal bleeding. In women with infertility, correcting a polyp, fibroid, septum or adhesions may improve the chance of pregnancy, although hysteroscopy is not advised routinely for every woman before IVF. Severe adhesions can need more than one procedure. Results depend on what is found, its extent and your overall fertility profile.

What are the risks and side effects?

Hysteroscopy is considered safe, and serious complications are uncommon.

• Cramping and light bleeding for a few days (common)
• Infection of the uterus (uncommon)
• Perforation of the uterus, which usually heals on its own but occasionally needs laparoscopy (rare)
• Fluid absorption during longer operative procedures (rare and closely monitored)
• Fainting or nausea during outpatient procedures
• Anaesthesia-related risks

Recovery and aftercare

Most women return to normal activities within 24–48 hours. Mild cramps settle with paracetamol or an NSAID, and spotting may last up to a week. Avoid intercourse, tampons and swimming for about a week. Contact the clinic for fever, heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge or severe abdominal pain. If you are planning a pregnancy or IVF, Dr. Divya will tell you when you can start trying.

What does hysteroscopy cost in Bengaluru?

The cost of hysteroscopy depends on:

• whether it is diagnostic or operative;
• outpatient versus operating theatre setting, and the type of anaesthesia;
• the procedure performed (biopsy, polypectomy, myomectomy, adhesiolysis, septum resection);
• disposable instruments and histopathology;
• day-care or hospital charges and insurance coverage.

An estimate is provided after your consultation.

When to see a doctor

See a gynaecologist if you have bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods or after sex, heavy periods, repeated miscarriages, or difficulty conceiving. After a hysteroscopy, seek urgent care for fever, heavy bleeding or worsening pain.

Why choose Dr. Divya Venugopalan?

Dr. Divya Venugopalan has over 14 years of experience and holds an MBBS (KIMS), a DNB in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery (FMAS) and a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (FRM). She performs diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy and can link the findings directly to fertility treatment such as IVF. She is a member of IAGE and ISAR.

She consults at Thanisandra, Sahakar Nagar and HRBR Layout in North Bengaluru. Also read about laparoscopy, which is sometimes combined with hysteroscopy. Book a consultation.