Detailed Information:
The patient will lie on her back and place her feet in the stirrups at the end of the examining table. After performing a manual pelvic examination, the physician will insert a speculum into the vagina, in order to view the cervix. Using an instrument to grasp the cervix, the physician passes a long, hollow tube into the uterine cavity. The tube uses suction to remove a small sample of tissue from the lining of the uterus. Once the physician obtains a tissue sample, he sends it down to the laboratory for analysis.The procedure may cause the patient to feel discomfort and cramping. It is not unusual for the patient to experience spotting for several days after the procedure. There is also a small risk for infection.
Endometrial biopsy is useful in the workup of abnormal uterine bleeding, cancer screening, endometrial dating and infertility evaluation. Contraindications for the procedure include pregnancy, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, acute cervical or vaginal infections and clotting disorders.
Last updated: 06-Jun-07
