A hysteroscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure that is performed vaginally, without incisions. A small camera or hysteroscope, is inserted into the vagina and is passed through the cervix and into your uterus. The procedure can be exploratory (looking for a problem) or operative (resolving a problem). It is performed under anesthesia, so you are “asleep” and comfortable for the duration of the surgery.

Hysteroscopic procedures with The Fertility Center (TFC) are typically performed at the Spectrum Health Lake Drive outpatient surgery center or here at our main office in Grand Rapids. Because scheduling is based on a variety of factors, we are unable to know the exact location of the procedure until the time of scheduling.

Reasons why a hysteroscopy may be performed:

• Diagnosing a problem (e.g. recurrent pregnancy loss, irregular menstrual bleeding)
• Removal of uterine polyps
• Removal of uterine fibroids
• Resection of uterine adhesions/scarring
• Correction of a septate uterus

A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that is performed through small incisions in the abdomen. A camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted through one of these incisions in order to evaluate the abdomen and pelvis. A laparoscopy is performed under anesthesia, so you are “asleep” and comfortable for the duration of the surgery.

Laparoscopic procedures performed by one of our physicians are typically scheduled at the Lake Drive outpatient surgery center. This is a Spectrum Health facility.

Reasons why you may need a laparoscopy:

• Unexplained Pelvic Pain
• Endometriosis
• Ovarian Cysts
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Hydrosalpinx or fluid in your fallopian tube(s)
• Blockage of your fallopian tube(s)

For more information about these two procedures, CLICK HERE.