Hysteroscopy: The Minimally Invasive Solution for a Wide Range of Gynecologic Conditions

If you’re suffering from troublesome gynecological symptoms, understanding the root cause is essential for getting the best treatment. Many imaging tools and technologies, such as ultrasound, allow doctors to examine your body with non-invasive methods, but these methods aren’t always enough to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. 

Fortunately, advances in medical technology allow doctors a way to better examine — and sometimes treat — a wide range of gynecological conditions without the need for surgery by using hysteroscopy. 

Board-certified OB/GYN Daniel Richards, DO, at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG, in Las Vegas, Nevada, specializes in using hysteroscopy for both diagnosing problems and treating various gynecological conditions in women. 

What is a hysteroscopy?

Dr. Richards performs a hysteroscopy to examine the inside of your cervix and uterus as well as treat some types of gynecological problems. He inserts a flexible, lighted tube, called a hysteroscope, through your vagina and into the uterus.  

The hysteroscope sends images from your uterus to a screen to allow Dr. Richards to look for and identify abnormalities. To treat a gynecological problem, Dr. Richards passes miniature tools through the hysteroscope. 

Why did Dr. Richards suggest a hysteroscopy?

Dr. Richards uses your symptoms and preliminary findings in deciding to recommend hysteroscopy. Depending on your unique symptoms, he may suggest using hysteroscopy as a diagnostic tool, a treatment, or both.  

Here’s a closer look at how hysteroscopy can identify and treat many gynecological conditions:

Diagnostic hysteroscopy

Dr. Richards performs an outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy to uncover the cause of your symptoms. At Darin Swainston MD, FACOG, diagnostic hysteroscopy is most commonly used in patients struggling with infertility, heavy bleeding, and multiple miscarriages.  

Other reasons Dr. Richards may recommend a diagnostic hysteroscopy include:

• Experiencing bleeding after menopause
• Receiving abnormal Pap test results
• To perform a biopsy of the uterine lining

Treatment hysteroscopy

Dr. Richards most often uses treatment hysteroscopy to treat any problems uncovered during the diagnostic hysteroscopy. Sometimes he can treat your condition in the same visit, but other times a follow-up hysteroscopy is required. 

Some treatments Dr. Richards can perform during a hysteroscopy include:

• Removing fibroids
• Removing polyps
• Correcting problematic IUDs 
• Removing any scar tissue

In addition, Dr. Richards uses treatment hysteroscopy to conduct endometrial ablations. This treatment removes the lining of the uterus in patients with heavy bleeding that hasn’t responded to other treatments. 

Are there any benefits of a hysteroscopy?

When compared to other, more invasive gynecological procedures, hysteroscopies provide many benefits, including: 

• Ability to have the procedure on an outpatient basis
• Less painful than other surgical alternatives
• Ability to help patients avoid a hysterectomy
• Ability to help patients avoid open surgical procedures

In addition, hysteroscopies typically come with shorter recovery times than their surgical alternatives, and the procedures are extremely safe. Less than 1% of women experience complications with a hysteroscopy. 

Am I a candidate for a hysteroscopy?

The best way to learn if a hysteroscopy is right for you is by meeting with Dr. Richards to go over your symptoms and health history. Dr. Richards may recommend this procedure if you have heavy bleeding, severe cramping, multiple miscarriages, or are having difficulty getting pregnant. 

Before ordering a hysteroscopy, however, Dr. Richards carefully evaluates your symptoms and performs a physical exam. He may also order additional testing and/or imaging studies, like an ultrasound, before recommending a hysteroscopy.    

If you want to learn more about the many benefits of a hysteroscopy, Dr. Daniel Richards and the team at the Las Vegas office of Darin Swainston MD, FACOG are here to help. Simply book an appointment online, over the phone, or schedule a telehealth appointment now!