Procedure prep
Fasting Before a Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy lets your doctor look inside your uterus using a thin, lighted scope passed through the cervix — often to find the cause of bleeding or to remove a polyp. Whether you need to fast comes down to one thing: how it's being done.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan, especially if you'll be fasting for sedation or general anesthesia. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a small sip of water on the morning of the procedure.
- Pain relief — for an office hysteroscopy your team may actually suggest taking acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen beforehand to ease cramping; ask what they recommend for you.
- Hormonal medicines (estrogen, HRT, the pill) — usually continued, but ask your team whether to keep taking them around your procedure.
- Iron tablets — keep taking them if prescribed for heavy-bleeding-related anemia, unless told otherwise.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough or cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea in the day or two before
- A positive or unknown pregnancy test
- An active vaginal or pelvic infection
- Eating or drinking when you were told to fast for sedation or general anesthesia
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A list of your medicines, doses, and any allergies
- Any recent scans or reports (pelvic ultrasound, previous hysteroscopy notes)
- A pad or panty liner — light bleeding and spotting are common afterward
- A ride home and an adult escort if you're having sedation or general anesthesia
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Is my hysteroscopy in the office with no anesthesia, or under sedation or general anesthesia?
- If it's under anesthesia, exactly when should I stop eating and drinking?
- Which of my regular medicines should I take or hold on the day, and should I take pain relief before an office procedure?
- Can I eat and drink normally afterward, and when can I drive?
- What cramping or bleeding is normal, and when should I call you?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really not need to fast for an office hysteroscopy?
Often, yes — many office or outpatient hysteroscopies are done with no anesthesia or just a local numbing, so you can usually eat and drink as normal. In fact, having a light meal beforehand can help you feel less faint during the procedure. This only changes if your team plans sedation or general anesthesia, so always confirm which setting yours is in.
Will it hurt, and how will I feel afterward?
Most people feel cramping similar to period pain during and shortly after a hysteroscopy, which usually settles within a day. Light bleeding or spotting for a few days is normal, so bring a pad. A simple pain reliever such as acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen can help — ask your team what they recommend for you.
Can I go home the same day?
Yes — hysteroscopy is a day-case procedure, so you'll go home the same day once you're comfortable. If you had no anesthesia or only local numbing, many people are able to drive themselves home, though it's wise to arrange a lift in case you feel crampy or faint. If you had sedation or general anesthesia, you'll need an adult to take you home and stay with you, and you shouldn't drive that day.