If your gynaecologist has suggested a hysteroscopy, you probably have questions: What exactly will be done? Will it hurt? How soon can I go back to work? And if you are trying for a baby, will it help?
This guide explains hysteroscopy in plain language - why it is done, how to prepare, what happens during the procedure, pain relief, recovery, possible risks, and what the research says about hysteroscopy and fertility, including before IVF. It is written for women in Visakhapatnam and across Andhra Pradesh who want to understand the procedure before their appointment.
Quick answer: A hysteroscopy is a procedure to look inside the womb using a thin telescope with a camera (hysteroscope), passed through the vagina and cervix, so no cuts are needed. It is used to find and often treat causes of abnormal bleeding, polyps, fibroids inside the womb, adhesions and some fertility problems. The look itself usually takes 5-10 minutes.
A hysteroscope is a thin tube with a light and camera. Fluid (usually saline) or carbon dioxide gas is passed through it to gently open up the womb so the lining can be seen clearly on a screen. Small instruments can be passed through the same tube to take a tissue sample (biopsy) or remove a growth.
There are two broad types:
Often both are done in one sitting: if a small polyp is seen, it may be removed straight away, with your consent.
According to the NHS and ACOG, common reasons include:
At Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre, diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy for polyps, submucous fibroids, uterine septum and abnormal bleeding is listed among our gynaecology services at padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/gynecology/.
The steps are broadly the same whether it is done in an outpatient room or an operation theatre:
RCOG says the look itself usually takes 5-10 minutes, though the whole visit can take up to 2 hours including consultation and recovery. It can take longer if a polyp or fibroid is removed.
This is the most common question, and an honest answer helps. RCOG explains that most women feel some pain, which for the majority is not severe, but for some women it can be severe. In a UK survey of over 5,000 women, about one-third rated their pain above 7 out of 10. Taking a biopsy can add to the discomfort.
What helps:
Ask the team which pain-relief options apply to your procedure, and say so if you are anxious. That is a normal, reasonable conversation to have.
Questions to ask before the procedure
According to RCOG and the NHS, it is normal to have period-like cramps for a few hours, sometimes for a few days, and spotting or light bleeding for up to a week. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons while you bleed. ACOG notes that most people return to normal activities the next day. You can resume sex and exercise once bleeding and pain have settled.
Hysteroscopy is a commonly performed procedure, and serious complications are uncommon. RCOG lists:
Contact a doctor urgently if bleeding gets heavier, pain is not controlled by painkillers, or you develop a fever or a smelly vaginal discharge.
Hysteroscopy has a clear role when a problem inside the womb is suspected - for example, a polyp or fibroid seen on an ultrasound, suspected adhesions, a possible uterine septum, or repeated miscarriages. Treating such a problem may be part of a fertility plan. Tubal and endometrial evaluation, including hysteroscopy, is listed in our fertility services at padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/fertility-services/.
What about women whose ultrasound is normal? Two large randomised trials published in The Lancet in 2016 looked at this. The inSIGHT trial (before a first IVF cycle) and the TROPHY trial (after repeated IVF failure) both found that a routine hysteroscopy before IVF did not increase live birth rates when the womb looked normal on ultrasound. That is why hysteroscopy is usually offered when there is a specific reason, not as a routine step for everyone. Information on IVF at our centre is at padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/in-vitro-fertilization.php.
When you can start trying to conceive after a hysteroscopy depends on what was done; after removing a larger fibroid, a septum or adhesions, your doctor may advise a short wait. Ask for advice specific to your procedure.
Some problems, such as fibroids within the muscle wall or outside the womb, endometriosis or blocked tubes, are not reached through a hysteroscope and may need laparoscopy instead. Laparoscopic procedures are described at padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/laparoscopic_surgeries.php.
Key takeaways
For a consultation, call +91 80083 36677 or use our contact page. Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre, 49-48-16/5, NH16, NGGOS Colony, Akkayyapalem, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530016.
A hysteroscopy is a procedure to look inside the womb with a thin camera passed through the vagina and cervix. It can diagnose and treat problems such as polyps, fibroids inside the womb and adhesions.
Most women feel some pain, which for many is not severe, but some find it very painful. Pain relief beforehand, local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthesia may be used, and the procedure can be stopped at any time.
The look inside the womb usually takes 5-10 minutes. Removing a polyp or fibroid takes longer, and the whole visit may take up to 2 hours including recovery.
Most women return to normal activities the next day. Period-like cramps and spotting can last a few days, with light bleeding for up to a week.
Treating a problem found at hysteroscopy, such as a polyp or adhesions, may be part of a fertility plan. Ask your doctor when to start trying, as this depends on what was done.
Not for everyone. Large trials found that routine hysteroscopy before IVF did not increase live birth rates when the womb looked normal on ultrasound. It is usually advised when a scan or history suggests a problem inside the womb.
Written by Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre Editorial Team · Updated 28 October 2026
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.