Information leaflet on
“One-Stop”
“See & Treat”
Hysteroscopy
Clinic
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Your first visit
• You have been referred to the “One-Stop” “See & Treat”
Hysteroscopy Clinic’ by your doctor.
• The purpose of the clinic is to identify the cause of your
problem and start treatment (if necessary) in just one visit
(“One Stop”).
• You may be asked to have an ultrasound scan before
seeing the doctor. This will be done in a different
department but in the same hospital.
• You will be seen and examined by a Consultant, Registrar
or Nurse Hysteroscopist, who may advise you to have a
hysteroscopy which involves looking inside your womb
with a camera.
• If an abnormality is found, you may be offered a
treatment at the same time, i.e. removal of a polyp/fibroid
(“see and treat”). This may be done with or without the
use of a local anaesthetic and gas and air.
• You can eat and drink as normal. It can also be beneficial
to take a simple pain killer around 30 minutes before your
scheduled appointment. Something that you may have
taken for period pain would be appropriate e.g.
paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• If you want the hysteroscopy or any other treatment
under a general anaesthetic (i.e. with you asleep) then we
can arrange that for you at a later date.
If you have any queries before your visit, please telephone:
0121 335 8101.
If you think you could be pregnant then please inform
nursing staff or doctor before your procedure so that they
can offer you a pregnancy test.
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Why do I need a hysteroscopy?
Your symptoms suggest you may have a gynaecological
problem but the exact cause has not been found so far.
A hysteroscopy will help to find out if you have one of
the following conditions:
• Fibroids - a fibroid is an overgrowth of the muscle of
the womb.
• Polyps - a polyp is a small skin tag that looks like a
small grape on a stalk.
• Endometrial disease - abnormalities in the womb
lining can be seen.
It is common not to find any abnormality. This can be
reassuring that there is nothing seriously wrong. Other
treatments can then be considered and will be offered.
What are the benefits of the procedure?
A hysteroscopy will normally allow the doctor to make an
accurate diagnosis and offer appropriate treatment at the
same visit. Often a biopsy can be performed at the same time
as the hysteroscopy.
Are there any alternatives to the procedure?
It may be appropriate to try and find the cause of your
symptoms using a scan and by performing a biopsy using a
small tube placed through the cervix (neck of the womb).
Sometimes it is not possible to place the small tube into the
womb, or to get enough tissue.
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It is important to realise that a scan and biopsy cannot
It is important to realise that a scan and biopsy cannot
identify all conditions and a hysteroscopy may still be
identify all conditions and a hysteroscopy may still be
recommended even if your results are normal. Your doctor
recommended even if your results are normal. Your doctor
can discuss the options with you.
can discuss the options with you.
What will happen if I decide not to have the
What will happen if I decide not to have the
procedur
pr
e?
ocedure?
Your doctor will only recommend a hysteroscopy if it is
Y
our doctor will only recommend a hysteroscopy if it is
entirely necessary. Choosing not to have the procedure is
entirely necessary
. Choosing not to have the procedure is
entirely your choice but then you may be denying the right
entirely your choice but then you may be denying the right
treatment for you.
treatment for you.
What does the procedur
What does the pr
e involve?
ocedure involve?
A hysteroscope is a small telescope that is passed through the
A hysteroscope is a small telescope that is passed through the
neck of the womb to see the inside. It is usually performed in
neck of the womb to see the inside. It is usually performed in
less than ten minutes. Fluid is used to pass the hysteroscopy
less than ten minutes. Fluid is used to pass the hysteroscopy
to give a clear view. This can give you a feeling of being wet.
to give a clear view. This can give you a feeling of being wet.
You may also experience some crampy “period like” pains.
You may also experience some crampy “period like” pains.
This is usually shortlasting. If polyps/fibroids are seen these
This is usually shortlasting. If polyps/fibroids are seen these
can be removed by using additional instruments (figure 1).
can be removed by using additional instruments (figure 1).
Your first visit
It is common not to find any abnormality. This can be
Uterus (womb)
reassuring that there is nothing seriously wrong. Other
• You have been referred to the “One-Stop” “See &
treatments can then be considered and will be offered.
Treat” Hysteroscopy Clinic’ by your doctor.
• The purpose of the clinic is to identify the cause of
What are the benefits of the procedure?
your problem and start treatment (if necessary) in just
one visit (“One Stop”).
A hysteroscopy will normally allow the doctor to make
• You may be asked to have an ultrasound scan before
an accurate diagnosis and offer appropriate treatment at
seeing the doctor. This will be done in a different
the same visit. Often a biopsy can be performed at the
department but in the same hospital.
same time as the hysteroscopy.
• You will be seen and examined by a Consultant,
Figure 1.
Registrar or Nurse Hysteroscopist, who may advise
A hysteroscope is passed into the womb to allow
Are there any alternatives to the
the surgeon to examine the lining of the womb
you to have a hysteroscopy which involves looking
procedure?
inside your womb with a camera.
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• If an abnormality is found, you may be offered a
It may be appropriate to try and find the cause of your
What risks or complications can happen?
treatment at the same time, i.e. removal of a polyp/
symptoms using a scan and by performing a biopsy
There is a very small risk that the instruments used could
fibroid (“see and treat”). This may be done with or
using a small tube placed through the cervix (neck of the
puncture the wall of the womb. However, because
without the use of a local anaesthetic and gas and air.
womb). Sometimes it is not possible to place the small
this procedure is viewed on a television monitor as it
• You can eat and drink as normal. It can also be
tube into the womb, or to get enough tissue.
is performed, and the doctor can see exactly what is
beneficial to take a simple pain killer around 30
happening, this risk is very small.
minutes before your scheduled appointment.
It is important to realise that a scan and biopsy cannot
identify all conditions and a hysteroscopy may still be
Pain, this happens with every operation but if you find
Something that you may have taken for period pain
recommended even if your results are normal. Your
that the procedure is painful, you can ask the doctor
would be appropriate e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen.
doctor can discuss the options with you.
or nurse to stop or give you more pain relief. Pain after
• If you want the hysteroscopy or any other treatment
hysteroscopy is usually mild (similar to a period) and is
under a general anaesthetic (i.e. with you asleep) then
What will happen if I decide not to have
usually controlled with simple painkillers, however, if
we can arrange that for you at a later date.
you require more pain relief this will be arranged. We
the procedure?
If you have any queries before your visit, please
will ask you to stay in the unit for about 20 minutes
telephone:
0121 607 4733 or
0121 607 4705.
Your doctor will only recommend a hysteroscopy if it is
after the procedure to make sure the pain has settled.
entirely necessary. Choosing not to have the procedure
Bleeding, which is usually mild (similar to a period),
Why do I need a hysteroscopy?
is entirely your choice but then you may be denying the
settles within a few days. It is important to use sanitary
right treatment for you.
Your symptoms suggest you may have a gynaecological
towels, not tampons.
problem but the exact cause has not been found so far.
What does the procedure involve?
Infection, which may cause an unpleasant-smelling
A hysteroscopy will help to find out if you have one of
vaginal discharge or persistent bleeding. Infection is
the following conditions:
A hysteroscope is a small telescope that is passed
rare and is easily treated with antibiotics.
through the neck of the womb to see the inside. It is
• Fibroids - a fibroid is an overgrowth of the muscle of
usually performed in less than ten minutes. Fluid is used
the womb.
Specific complications of this procedure?
to pass the hysteroscopy to give a clear view. This can
• Polyps - a polyp is a small skin tag that looks like a
give you a feeling of being wet. You may also experience
Making a hole in the womb with possible damage
small grape on a stalk.
some crampy “period like” pains. This is usually short-
to a nearby structure. This is rare and happens if one
• Endometrial disease - abnormalities in the womb
lasting. If polyps/fibroids are seen these can be removed
of the instruments makes a small hole in the womb or
lining can be seen.
by using additional instruments (figure 1).
cervix (risk: less than 8 in 1000).
Cont/d...
What risks or complications can happen?
There is a very small risk that the instruments used could
puncture the wall of the womb. However, because this
procedure is viewed on a television monitor as it is
performed, and the doctor can see exactly what is happening,
this risk is very small.
Pain, this happens with every operation but if you find that
the procedure is painful, you can ask the doctor or nurse to
stop or give you more pain relief. Pain after hysteroscopy is
usually mild (similar to a period) and is usually controlled with
simple painkillers, however, if you require more pain relief
this will be arranged. We will ask you to stay in the unit for
about 20 minutes after the procedure to make sure the pain
has settled.
Bleeding, which is usually mild (similar to a period), settles
within a few days. It is important to use sanitary towels, not
tampons.
Infection, which may cause an unpleasant-smelling vaginal
discharge or persistent bleeding. Infection is rare and is easily
treated with antibiotics.
Specific complications of this procedure?
Making a hole in the womb with possible damage to a
nearby structure. This is rare and happens if one of the
instruments makes a small hole in the womb or cervix
(risk: less than 8 in 1000).
If this happens, you may need to stay in hospital overnight
for close observation in case you develop complications.
Sometimes a further operation will be needed (risk: less than
1 in 1000).
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Failed procedure, where it is not possible to insert the
hysteroscope through the neck of the womb and inside the
womb. This is rare.
How will I feel afterwards?
You may get some crampy period type pains which usually
settles quickly. Simple painkillers will usually be enough if this
lasts for longer.
You may also get some spotting or fresh blood loss.
Going home
After the procedure you will be able to rest and have a cup of
tea in comfortable surroundings. It is advisable to have
someone with you when you go home.
At home
You will need to rest for the remainder of the day.
You may continue to get some spotting or fresh blood loss for
the next day or so.
If you do require further pain relief, we suggest simple
painkillers such as paracetamol every 4 hours (maximum of 8
tablets in 24 hours).
Other Information
Before you leave the clinic you will be told whether the
hospital needs to see you again. In this case an Outpatient
Department appointment will be made.
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Finally, please remember if you have any worries or concerns
following your appointment please contact:
One Stop Clinic
0121 335 8101
Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Friday 8.30am - 12.00pm
otherwise
Ward 8, Birmingham Women’s Hospital on
0121 335 8180
To arrange or cancel an appointment please contact
0121 335 8101
Questionnaires
Before and when you attend the clinic you may be asked to
complete feedback and research questionnaires so that we
can continually strive to improve our services.
Research & Audit
As part of our ongoing research and audit, we would like to
include your details and findings from the clinic appointment
on a specialised computer database.
This confidential database may be used for future research
and audit projects. Part of these projects would be looking at
the long-term benefits of these specialised services. This may
involve contacting you in the future by postal questionnaires.
We hope that you are happy with this but if you have any
objections then please let the staff know when you
attend the clinic.
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We have updated our Privacy Notices in line with the data
protection legislation (General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR)/Data Protection Act 2018. For more information
about how we use your personal data please visit our website
at:
https://bwc.nhs.uk/privacy-policy
Birmingham Women’s Hospital
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham B15 2TG
Website: www.bwc.nhs.uk
Authors:
Professor Janesh Gupta - Consultant Gynaecologist &
Mr Justin Clark - Consultant Gynaecologist
Produced: 06/2018
Review Date: 06/2021
Version 1.0
Ref: 64
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