Outpatient hysteroscopy: RCOG patient leaflet (last updated 7 April 2025)

Summary

This leaflet, produced by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, is for individuals who have been offered hysteroscopy as an outpatient. It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who has been offered this procedure.

Content

Key points:

• Outpatient hysteroscopy (OPH) is a procedure carried out in the outpatient clinic that involves examination of the inside of your uterus (womb) with a thin telescope.
• There are many reasons why you may be referred for OPH, such as to investigate and/or treat abnormal bleeding, to remove a polyp seen on a scan or to remove a coil with missing threads.
• The actual procedure usually takes 10-15 minutes. It can take longer if you are having any additional procedures.
• You may feel pain or discomfort during OPH. It is recommended that you take pain relief 1-2 hours before the appointment.
• If it is too painful, it is important to let your healthcare professional know as the procedure can be stopped at any time.
• You may choose to have the hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic. This will be done in an operating theatre, usually as a day case procedure.
• Possible risks with hysteroscopy include pain, feeling faint or sick, bleeding, infection and rarely uterine perforation (damage to the wall of the uterus). The risk of uterine perforation is lower during OPH than during hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia.

Join the conversation on the hub about hysteroscopies.