Hysteroscopy is primarily used to diagnose and treat the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. The procedure allows your surgeon to look inside of your uterus with a tool called a hysteroscope. A hysteroscope is a thin, lighted tube that a surgeon inserts through your vagina to examine your cervix and the inside of your uterus.

Hysteroscopy can be a part of the diagnostic process, as well as the treatment process.

A LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) allows your provider to remove abnormal tissue on the surface of your cervix and, if necessary, test it for cancer. Your provider may prescribe LEEP if a Pap test and colposcopy find abnormal cell growths. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, and the full recovery time is about four weeks.

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. Health care professionals perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions — such as heavy bleeding — or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion.

In a dilation and curettage, small instruments or a medication is used to open (dilate) the lower, narrow part of your uterus (cervix). Next, a surgical instrument called a curette, which can be a sharp instrument or suction device, is used to remove uterine tissue.

Colposcopy is an exam that looks closely at the cervix. It uses a special magnifying instrument to do this. The instrument also may be used to look at the vagina and vulva.

Colposcopy, which is pronounced kol-POS-kuh-pee, looks for signs of disease. A colposcopy may be recommended if a Pap test result shows something concerning. If your healthcare team finds a suspicious area of cells during your colposcopy procedure, a sample of tissue can be collected for testing.

It's common to feel anxious before a colposcopy exam. Knowing what to expect during your colposcopy may help you feel more comfortable.