Complete Care
Hysteroscopy with Lysis of Adhesions
What is a hysteroscopy with lysis of adhesions?
A hysteroscopy is a procedure in which the doctor uses a hysteroscope to look at the inside of your uterus. A hysteroscope is a thin tube with a tiny camera. The uterus is the muscular organ at the top of the vagina. Babies develop in the uterus, and menstrual blood comes from the uterus. Your provider can guide a tool into the uterus to remove adhesions (bands of scar tissue) from the uterus.
When is it used?
You may have a hysteroscopy when your health care provider suspects you have adhesions in your uterus. Parts of the wall of the uterus may stick together, causing pain, abnormal bleeding, or trouble carrying a pregnancy. With this procedure your provider can cut and remove the adhesions, which may relieve these problems.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Removing the adhesion may relieve the pain or other problems you are having. The procedure is short with a quick and easy recovery.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
In general, the procedure poses little risk for most women. However there are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your health care provider. A local or regional anesthetic may not numb the area quite enough and you may feel some minor discomfort. Also, in rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia. In most cases local or regional anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia.
- You may have infection or bleeding.
- The adhesions may return.
- Rarely, the uterus could be punctured and need surgery to repair it.
- Rarely, the bowel or bladder may be injured.
- You may have an allergic reaction to the fluid used during the procedure.
How do I prepare for a hysteroscopy?
Follow your health care provider’s instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after surgery.
Follow any other instructions your provider gives you. If you are to have general anesthesia, do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.
What happens after the procedure?
You may stay at the doctor’s office or hospital about 1 or 2 hours. In some cases you may stay at the hospital overnight.
After the procedure you may:
- Feel sleepy or groggy from the anesthetic.
- Have some cramps.
- Have trouble urinating the first few hours after the procedure.
- Have a watery or bloody discharge for 3 or 4 weeks.
Your provider may insert an IUD (intrauterine device) for you to keep in your uterus for several months after the procedure. Your provider may also recommend estrogen (hormone) therapy for several months.
Ask your health care provider what steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.
When should I call Greenville OB/GYN?
Call our emergency number at any time if:
- You start to bleed a lot (like a menstrual period).
- You develop a fever over 100 F (37.8 C).
- You have a lot of pain in your lower abdomen.
- You have a vaginal discharge with a bad odor.
Call during regular office hours if:
- You have questions about the procedure or its results.
- You want to make another appointment.
Complete Care
Endometriosis: Everything You Need to Know
Endometriosis is a common condition with plenty of misconceptions. The disease occurs when tissue called endometrium, similar to the tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows in other parts of the body. Endometriosis affects as many as one in 10 American women. It can cause pain, scarring, and even infertility.
