Hysteroscopy in Sharjah

What is hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that uses a thin, lit telescope called a hysteroscope to look directly inside the womb. The instrument passes through the vagina and cervix, so no cut is made in the skin. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, hysteroscopy lets your gynaecologist see the lining and shape of the womb on a screen and check for anything that could explain your symptoms.

Hysteroscopy is often both a way to see and a way to treat. If a polyp or small fibroid is found, it can sometimes be removed in the same sitting, and a small sample of the lining can be taken for the laboratory. Whether that happens depends on what is found and on the type of hysteroscopy planned for you.

Who needs it

Hysteroscopy is suggested when there is a question about the inside of the womb that a scan alone cannot answer. Common reasons include heavy or irregular periods, bleeding between periods, and any bleeding after the menopause, which always needs looking into. It is also used when an ultrasound hints at a polyp or fibroid, after recurrent miscarriage or during fertility investigations, when tissue is thought to remain after a pregnancy, or when scarring inside the womb is suspected.

Your gynaecologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah will explain why hysteroscopy is the right next step for you, and what a normal or abnormal result would mean. Not everyone with these symptoms needs it, and the decision is made with you.

What happens

Hysteroscopy can be done in different settings depending on your case. Some are carried out in the clinic with no anaesthetic or with a local anaesthetic, while others are done under a general anaesthetic in theatre. Your gynaecologist will tell you which suits you and why before the day.

During the test, you lie back as you would for a smear. A small speculum is placed to see the cervix, then the hysteroscope is passed gently through it into the womb. Fluid or gas is used to open the cavity a little so the lining can be seen clearly on the screen. Your gynaecologist looks at the shape of the cavity, the lining and the openings of the tubes. If a polyp or small fibroid is found and the setting allows, it may be removed, and a biopsy of the lining may be taken. Many diagnostic hysteroscopies take only a short time.

Preparing for it

Preparation depends on the type of hysteroscopy arranged for you, and your care team will give you instructions for your case. For a clinic procedure without anaesthetic, you can usually eat normally, and you may be advised to take simple pain relief beforehand. For a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic, you will be told when to stop eating and drinking, and your medicines will be reviewed, especially any blood thinners.

Tell the team at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah if there is any chance you are pregnant, as hysteroscopy is not done in pregnancy. It is often timed for after your period rather than during it, when the view is clearer. If sedation or a general anaesthetic is used, arrange for someone to take you home.

Afterwards

Recovery after hysteroscopy is usually quick. Period-like cramping, some light bleeding or spotting, and mild discomfort are common for a short time, and simple pain relief helps. If you had a general anaesthetic, you will rest until you are ready to go home. Your gynaecologist will give you a timeline for your case rather than a fixed rule, as it depends on whether treatment was done at the same time.

Contact the clinic if bleeding is heavy or soaked pads are needed, if there is a bad-smelling discharge, or if cramping is severe and pain relief does not settle it. Seek urgent care for a high fever, worsening lower tummy pain, or feeling faint, as these can point to infection or another problem that needs prompt attention. If a biopsy was taken, results follow later and will be explained to you.

Risks and limitations

Hysteroscopy is generally safe, but no procedure is without risk, and your gynaecologist will talk these through. There can be cramping and light bleeding, a small chance of infection, and a rare risk of making a small hole in the wall of the womb. Anaesthetic, where used, carries its own risks. As a diagnostic test, hysteroscopy shows the inside of the womb well, but it cannot see the ovaries, the tubes or structures outside the cavity, so it is often one part of a wider assessment. Hysteroscopy shows the inside of the womb, though not every cause of a symptom is visible there, and sometimes a biopsy result or a further test is needed before your symptoms can be fully explained.

Cost and insurance

Coverage for hysteroscopy varies between UAE plans. Many cover the consultation and standard tests, while the hysteroscopy itself, and any polyp removal or biopsy, often needs pre-approval from your insurer. A procedure under general anaesthetic and the laboratory analysis of any sample may be handled separately on your policy, and some plans exclude specific items. Where approval is required, start it early, as this is a frequent cause of delay. Confirm your cover with the team at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah before your appointment on 06 599 7777.