What to expect after hysteroscopy?

Mild cramping and light spotting for 24-48 hours is normal after diagnostic hysteroscopy. Operative procedures cause slightly more cramping and bleeding. Most women resume activities within 24-48 hours.

How long does spotting last after hysteroscopy?

Light spotting for 1-3 days after diagnostic hysteroscopy, up to 1 week after operative procedures. Use pads not tampons.

When can I return to work after hysteroscopy?

Most women return to desk work the next day or the day after. Avoid driving for 24 hours after sedation or general anaesthesia.

When can I have sex after hysteroscopy?

Avoid sexual intercourse for at least 1 week, or until bleeding has stopped.

Hysteroscopy Recovery: What to Expect and How Long It Takes

Hysteroscopy Recovery: Day by Day

General guidance based on RCOG, NHS, ACOG and healthdirect guidelines (last checked Oct 2026). Your clinical team’s specific advice takes priority.

📋 Based on published clinical guidelines (last checked Oct 2026)

ⓘ Always speak with your doctor. This is here to help you feel informed, not to replace the wonderful people caring for you. Always speak with your doctor, surgeon, or healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

Recovery comfort essentials

Practical things for the days after your hysteroscopy.

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Mild cramping is very common after hysteroscopy. A heating pad on the lower abdomen is one of the simplest and most effective comforts. Heating pad →

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Comfortable, high-waisted recovery underwear works well with pads and does not press on your abdomen. Recovery underwear →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery: nothing else.

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Your recovery snapshot

A quick timeline, what to expect, and a checklist you can tick off.

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During procedure

Uterus examined

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Hours after

Cramping settling

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Days 1-3

Spotting resolving

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Week 2+

Full return to activity

Based on RCOG and BSGE guidance (last checked Oct 2026). Recovery is rapid - most women resume activities within 24-48 hours.

My checklist

ⓘ This is general guidance: individual recovery varies. Your surgical team's instructions always come first.

🚨 When to seek help

Heavy bleeding
Fever above 38 degrees C
Severe abdominal pain
Offensive discharge

000 (AU) · 999 (UK) · 911 (US) · 112 (EU)
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.

Your recovery toolkit

Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.

DVT risk checkerBlood-clot risk factors & what reduces them Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP Medication scheduleLay out dose times, add calendar reminders Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?”

These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.

About Hysteroscopy: Diagnostic and Operative Procedures

Hysteroscopy allows direct visualisation of the uterine cavity using a thin telescope (hysteroscope) passed through the cervix without incisions. Diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to investigate abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, abnormal ultrasound findings, or infertility. It can be performed in an outpatient setting under local anaesthetic, with sedation, or under general anaesthesia.

Operative (therapeutic) hysteroscopy treats conditions identified during examination. Common operative hysteroscopic procedures include: removal of endometrial polyps (polypectomy), hysteroscopic myomectomy for submucosal fibroids, endometrial ablation (see our endometrial ablation recovery guide), removal of retained products of conception, and treatment of uterine septum or adhesions (Asherman syndrome).

The procedure takes approximately 10-30 minutes for diagnostic and simple operative procedures. More complex operative procedures may take longer. Outpatient hysteroscopy (often called 'see and treat' hysteroscopy) allows diagnostic and simple operative procedures in the same appointment without the need for general anaesthesia, and is increasingly the preferred approach.

Pain management options for outpatient hysteroscopy include topical local anaesthetic cervical preparations, paracervical block, and oral analgesia taken before the procedure. Discuss your pain management preferences with your gynaecologist beforehand, as adequate analgesia significantly improves the experience.

Sources: RCOG patient information · BSGE hysteroscopy guidelines · NHS hysteroscopy recovery · healthdirect.gov.au

Hysteroscopy Recovery: Day by Day

🧰 Your recovery toolkit

About Hysteroscopy: Diagnostic and Operative Procedures

Your recovery toolkit