Hi Mrsbubsdevere,
This is taken from the book "Endometriosis and Fibroids":-
"Hysteroscopy is the investigation of choice of many gynaes, especially for women over the age of 45 who have irregular, heavy, painful periods or spotting between periods or just after sex.
You may be given a choice between a local anaesthetic (injected into the cervix) or a light, general anaesthetic. It is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.
First the vagina is cleansed with an antiseptic, then the cervical canal is gently dialated (if necessary) by passing a series of rods of gradually increasing diameter. A telescopic viewing device (hysteroscope) about 1cm wide, is then inserted so that the surgeon can carefully examine the entire endometrical lining of your womb. This has several channels in it, one for looking down, one for a fibre optic light, one for passing through fluid or gas (to separate the walls of the womb and to wash away blood or parings) plus a channel for fine biopsy or cauterising instruments.
A fibroid bulging into the endometrial cavity is easily seen at hysteroscopy, as are any endometrial polyps or other abnormal lesions. The surgeon can pick the sopts where he/she wants to take a biopsy under direct visual control".
Hope this helps a bit
P.S what Pruni is describing is a HSG - that's a tubal x-ray.