You have some kind of gynecologic problem. The doctor suggested endometrial biopsy. You should read this article, because it contains information about endometrial biopsy. When you undergo endometrial biopsy, your gynecologist removes a small sample of the lining of the uterus. Then, the sample is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells. Endometrial biopsy is a safe and accepted method which helps your doctor to determine if the endometrium was going through its normal stages of change during the menstrual cycle and to determine if cancerous conditions were present. Overview
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and it changes throughout a woman's menstrual cycle.
There are different methods of endometrial biopsy. One of the most common techniques is endometrial biopsy with pliable instrument. The pliable instrument is used for suctioning a small amount of endometrial tissue from the uterus. This method of endometrial biopsy is faster and causes less discomfort than the other methods.
The endometrial biopsy can be done wiht an instrument called a curette, with a manual suction device attached. In this method a small sample of the lining of the uterus is removed by scraping and collecting it into a syringe or another container.
The third method is rather uncomfortable. Your doctor with vabra aspiration removes a tissue sample from the uterine lining with an electric suction device.
Endometrial washing uses a spray of liquid to wash off some of the tissue that lines the uterus.
Sometimes this procedure is performed when a woman is having difficulty becoming pregnant. Endometrial biopsy may be done to determine whether the endometrium is being properly prepared by estrogen and progesterone to support pregnancy.
When women experience uterine bleeding, endometrial biopsy may also be done to determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, to check for excessive growth of the endometrium, or to check for possible endometrial cancer.
Reasons for the Procedure
The most common reason for endometrial biopsy is to detect cancerous conditions. Another reason may be:
determining the cause of abnormally heavy, prolonged, or irregular uterine bleeding, often in women who have gone through menopause or
determining whether the endometrium was going through the normal menstrual cycle changes.
Indications for endometrial biopsy include: abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, cancer screening, detection of precancerous hyperplasia and atypia, endometrial dating, follow-up of previously diagnosed endometrial hyperplasia, evaluation of uterine response to hormone therapy, e valuation of patient with one year of amenorrhea, evaluation of infertility and abnormal, Papanicolaou smear with atypical cells favoring endometrial origin.
Contraindications for the Procedure
Contraindications for endometrial biopsy include: pregnancy, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, clotting disorders (coagulopathy), acute cervical or vaginal infections, cervical cancer, and conditions. possibly prohibiting endometrial biopsy, severe cervical stenosis and severe pelvic relaxation with uterine descensus
Certain conditions may interfere with an endometrial biopsy. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following: acute vaginal or cervical infections, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer.
How is test performed?
Endometrial biopsy is an office procedure. The endometrial biopsy is obtained through the use of an endometrial suction catheter that is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity.
Before the endometrial biopsy, tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant. You should know that endometrial biopsy can%26rsquo;t be done during pregnancy. Endometrial biopsy during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage. It is important to tell your doctor if you have or you recently had vaginal, cervical, or pelvic infection.
You may want to take a pain reliever containing ibuprofen 30 to 60 minutes before having the biopsy. The pain reliever can help decrease the severity of cramping pain that the procedure causes.
Before procedure, you will need to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of endometrial biopsy and agree to have the test done. Before you sign, read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
Talk to doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, or the way it will be done.
You will be asked to undress from the waist down. You should empty your bladder prior to the procedure. In this procedure the cervix may be numbed by using an anesthetic spray or an injection of local anesthetic. Doctor will tell you to lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. In this position the doctor will examine your vagina and cervix. The doctor will insert speculum into your vagina to spread the walls of the vagina apart to expose the cervix. Then the cervix is grasped and held in place with a clamp called a tenaculum. Your cervix will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. The doctor may numb the area using a small needle to inject medication, or a numbing spray may be applied to your cervix.
The doctor will take a sample with the instrument . During sample collection, you will likely feel uterine cramping or lower pelvic pain. After the sample is collected, instrument, and the clamp and speculum are removed from the vagina.
After this procedure you will probably feel a sharp cramp as the instrument or device is guided through your cervix. Also you may feel more cramping when the biopsy sample is collected. This pain can be decreased by taking ibuprofen before the procedure.
Because an endometrial biopsy usually causes some vaginal bleeding, you will need to use a menstrual pad. If you have prolonged bleeding that is heavier than your normal menstrual period, you should report it to your doctor. You should avoid heavy lifting for a few days after the procedure to prevent excessive bleeding. You shouldn%26rsquo;t have intercourse for 3 to 7 days after this test. You may be asked to take your temperature daily for 3 days after the test. You should call your doctor if you develop a fever.
Complications
There is a possibility of causing damage to the cervix during an endometrial biopsy but this is rare. Other complications include excessive bleeding during or after the procedure. In some cases you can develop a pelvic infection.
Results
Endometrial biopsy can be painful for older women. Contraindications to endometrial biopsy include pregnancy, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, and acute cervical or vaginal infections.
This procedure is not routinely done during or after menopause unless a woman has vaginal bleeding. If an endometrial biopsy is recommended, you should ask your doctor the reasons why . You should discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
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