What is the Endometrial Biopsy Used For?
The endometrial biopsy is important in diagnosing abnormalities of the uterine lining that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. These include:
- Inflammation
- Hyperplasia (overgrowth of the endometrial tissue)
- Endometrial Polyps
- Cancer of the Uterus
Who Should Get an Endometrial Biopsy
Women over age 35 who have bleeding problems should have an endometrial biopsy as part of the work-up. Why this age? It is in the late 30s and 40s that cancer of the endometrium begins to show up. It is also very common for the other abnormalities to show up as well. This procedure is also useful to women of other ages. The doctor may use the procedure at an earlier age if there is a long history of bleeding problems. She may also recommend it in light of an abnormal appearing uterine lining noted on sonogram or some other radiographic test.
How Is an Endometrial Biopsy Performed?
Your doctor will have you lie on the exam table in the stirrups like any pelvic examination. A speculum is placed into vagina and the cervix is visualized. An antiseptic solution is used to decrease the bacteria count in the vagina and cervix. Your doctor may give a small amount of injection anesthetic to the cervix so that you don’t feel pain. She may also hold onto the cervix with an instrument called a tenaculum.
A small tube instrument called a pipelle is inserted into the uterus. A small amount of suction is applied via a small plunger at the top of the pipelle. Sometimes a syringe may be used to create the suction. The device may be moved back and forth or rotated while the suction is applied. The endometrial tissue is soft and wispy, and is easily pulled into the instrument. Usually, 3 passes are made with the device to obtain enough tissue. The tissue is pushed out of the instrument into a cup containing a preservative and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.
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What Should I Expect to Feel During the Procedure
What should you expect to feel during this evaluation. To put this test into perspective, it takes approximately 10 to 15 min. to complete. The great majority of that time is spent preparing to do the procedure. The 3 passes that are made take approximately 10 to 30 seconds each. That’s a total of 30 to 90 seconds, not a really long time. Having said that, most patients will feel a crampy sensation while the device is inside the uterus. That discomfort usually resolves within a short time after the procedure is complete. Of course there are women who are more sensitive than others and may experience more discomfort during this procedure, but this is generally not the norm. Many doctors will prescribe or recommend a medication to treat the crampiness. many doctors may recommend ibuprofen to their patients both before and after the procedure. But you must check with your doctor to see if this is right for you.
Waiting For the Results
The results take several days to several weeks to obtain. Sometimes that wait can seem like forever. Your doctor will probably begin to talk to you about treatment options for your heavy bleeding. This is a great time for you to do some research and thinking about what is the best option for you to have a “bye bye heavy bleeding” transformation story. And when you do, we want to hear about it!
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