Dr Jan AdlamGynaecologist & Urogynaecologist

SPECIALIST GYNAECOLOGICAL SURGERY

Hysteroscopy

I use a small camera and fine instruments to diagnose and treat problems inside the womb, through the cervix. Your symptoms, the finding and your fertility wishes guide my surgical approach.

We agree what to treat and how to keep you comfortable before booking.

Explore tailored treatment Pain relief & anaesthesia

On this page

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCEDURE

A view inside the womb.

The hysteroscope passes through the vagina and cervix—the neck of the womb. Fluid gently opens the cavity so I can see the lining. There are no abdominal cuts, and the womb stays in place.

When it may help

Heavy, irregular or unexpected bleeding, including after menopause.
A suspected polyp, a fibroid entering the cavity or an abnormal lining on a scan.
Selected fertility concerns, scar tissue, retained pregnancy tissue or a difficult-to-remove coil.

Hysteroscopy examines the cavity. Problems in the muscle, ovaries or outside the womb may need other tests. Bleeding after menopause needs prompt assessment.

Explore bleeding & period problems

Labelled cutaway of the womb: the hysteroscope passes up the vagina, through the cervix and into the cavity, which is surrounded by the lining and muscle wall. — The camera reaches the cavity through the cervix. Simplified illustration; the cavity is shown open for clarity.

DIAGNOSIS AND OPERATIVE TREATMENT

Look, sample, treat.

Look
Inspect the lining and cavity to understand the finding.
Sample
Take tissue when needed to check for changes the camera cannot confirm.
Treat
Remove or correct a suitable problem under direct vision.

You may need only some steps. We agree the scope beforehand; treatment at the same visit depends on consent and safety.

MY SPECIALIST SURGICAL APPROACH

Different findings need different surgical plans.

I choose the technique around the finding’s size, attachment and depth, while protecting healthy tissue. These examples show how that changes treatment.

A smooth polyp hangs into the womb cavity from a narrow stalk on the lining.

Remove a polyp

A growth from the lining, sometimes on a stalk.

What shapes my approach: The attachment, size and your symptoms.
Treatment goal: Remove the polyp under direct vision and send it for laboratory testing, preserving surrounding lining.

A fibroid sits partly in the muscle wall and bulges into the womb cavity.

Treat a cavity fibroid

A muscle growth projecting into the cavity.

What shapes my approach: How much lies inside the cavity and how deeply it extends into muscle.
Treatment goal: Remove a suitable fibroid through the cervix. Larger or deeper fibroids may need stages or another surgical approach.

Pale bands of scar tissue connect opposite walls across the womb cavity.

Release scar tissue

Adhesions are bands joining parts of the cavity.

What shapes my approach: The extent of scarring and your menstrual or fertility concerns.
Treatment goal: Restore the cavity with careful division of selected adhesions. Scarring can recur, so follow-up matters.

Illustrative examples, not a diagnosis or a prediction of your result.

Retained tissue or a coil

I can also use direct vision to remove selected retained pregnancy tissue or a difficult-to-access IUD. Scans, its position and any bleeding or infection guide the method.

Bring your scan and the symptoms you most want to improve.

Discuss your treatment

YOUR COMFORT AND CHOICE

Let’s plan how to keep you comfortable.

I discuss sedation or general anaesthesia with you before booking. Your preference, health, previous experiences and planned treatment all matter. You can tell me what helps without explaining personal details.

With sedation

Medicine helps you relax and become drowsy. The depth varies; you may remain aware or remember parts of the procedure. Sedation does not automatically mean being fully asleep.

Under general anaesthesia

You are unconscious during the procedure. This may suit your preference or the planned surgery, with anaesthetic assessment and recovery arrangements.

Tell me about previous experiences and concerns about anaesthesia. Ask about a chaperone and bringing someone to support you.

ON THE DAY

What happens?

Confirm
Review consent, pregnancy risk, pain relief and the agreed treatment.
Examine and treat
I inspect the cavity, take samples or perform the planned surgery, monitoring fluid use and safety.
Recover and discuss
We explain the findings, pending results and instructions for home.

Planning your visit

Where?: Reception confirms your venue and arrival point. Hospital care is at Life Kingsbury; selected day procedures are at Advanced Harbour Bay. Your procedure venue may differ from your consulting rooms.
How much time?: A simple examination is often brief; treatment takes longer. Allow for admission and recovery too. Hysteroscopy is commonly a day procedure, but discharge depends on your operation and recovery.

Locations & admission directions

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BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Prepare for your own procedure.

Pregnancy and bleeding

Hysteroscopy should not proceed during an ongoing pregnancy. Follow contraception advice from your last period until the procedure; a pregnancy test may be needed. Contact the practice if you may be pregnant or are bleeding heavily.

Medicines and fasting

Share your medicines, allergies and anaesthetic history. Follow your specific fasting and pain-relief instructions. Do not stop prescribed medicines, including blood thinners, on your own.

Getting home

After sedation or general anaesthesia, arrange an adult to collect you and follow the supervision instructions. Do not drive yourself. Bring a pad and plan some rest.

Ask reception about your instructions Call 021 518 3416

INFORMED CHOICES

Understand the risks of your procedure.

Risk depends on whether we are inspecting, taking tissue or performing more complex surgery, as well as your health and anatomy.

During and shortly afterwards

Pain, nausea or feeling faint; sometimes the procedure cannot be completed.
Bleeding, infection or injury to the cervix.
A small hole in the womb wall (perforation), occasionally with injury to a nearby organ and a need for further surgery.

With operative treatment

Excess fluid absorption, which can affect breathing or the balance of salts in the blood.
Scar tissue within the cavity, incomplete removal or a need for further treatment.
Risks from sedation or general anaesthesia.

RECOVERING AT HOME

Recovery depends on what was done.

After a simple examination

Many patients resume everyday activity the same or next day. Cramping can last a few days; light bleeding may last around a week.

After operative treatment

Allow lighter activity for several days, or longer after extensive surgery. Your discharge advice should cover work, exercise and expected bleeding.

Use pads. Avoid tampons and vaginal penetration until bleeding and pain settle, or longer if advised.
Use recommended pain relief and increase activity gradually.
Follow restrictions on driving, alcohol, machinery and important decisions after sedation or anaesthesia.

RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP

Know what happens next.

I explain what was seen and treated. Tissue results follow later and may change the plan; appearance alone cannot exclude abnormal or cancerous cells.

Before leaving, confirm the expected timing and how results will reach you. If they have not arrived, contact reception on 021 518 3416 (Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00). Continuing symptoms need reassessment, even after a normal-looking examination.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions patients often ask

Will hysteroscopy hurt?

I plan sedation or general anaesthesia and pain relief around your procedure and health. Sedation may leave you aware of parts of the procedure; general anaesthesia means you are unconscious. Cramping can occur afterwards, and I provide a pain-relief plan for recovery.

Is hysteroscopy the same as a D&C?

Hysteroscopy provides a camera view. Dilation and curettage (D&C) removes lining tissue without providing that view itself, although the procedures can be combined.

Will you remove everything you find?

Treatment must be agreed and safe. An unexpected or more complex finding may need results, further planning or a separate operation.

Can this help me become pregnant?

Treating selected cavity problems may help, but does not guarantee pregnancy. We consider your wider fertility assessment and the effect of surgery on healthy lining.

Will I get laboratory results?

If tissue is sent for testing, you should receive the result and an explanation. Contact the practice if you have not heard by the agreed time.

Are there alternatives?

Depending on the problem, options include ultrasound, medicines, a hormonal IUD or another operation. We compare their benefits and limits; a scan cannot remove tissue or replace laboratory testing.

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YOUR NEXT STEP

Agree a procedure with a clear purpose.

Bring your scans, previous reports and medicine list. Tell me what matters most—bleeding, fertility, comfort or another concern—so we can agree a plan together.

Book a consultation Contact reception Fees & medical aid

Reviewed by Dr Jan Adlam · 22 October 2026.

Sources & further reading

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