Dilation and Curettage – Care for Women’s Uterus at Nyle Hospital

Dilation and curettage (D&C) involves diagnosis or treatment of any uterine condition of a woman. It is usually recommended by the healthcare, if the woman is subjected to any of the following conditions such as:

Unusual uterine bleeding

Detection of abnormal endometrial cell growth

Bleeding even after menopause

Basic Procedure

To carry out the test, the healthcare provider first collects tissue samples from endometrial region (the lining of uterus) and sends them for analysis to the respective laboratory. The analysis is done to check whether the woman has:

Uterine polyps

Uterine cancer

Endometrial hyperplasia, thickening of the uterus lining indicating precancerous condition

What happens during D&C?

Generally, D&C is performed by a gynaecologist under the influence of general anaesthesia. The patient is asked to leave after few hours of rest once the procedure is complete; overnight staying in the hospital is usually not needed. This procedure is divided into 2 main sections such as:

Dilatation – whereby the cervix area is expanded with the help of special rods

Curettage - whereby the uterus lining is scrapped with the help of a very thin, spoon-shaped instrument

Dilation and curettage is usually collaborated with hysteroscopy, wherein a flexible, very thin tube comprising a video camera and small light at one end of the tube is inserted into the uterus for checking the inside of the uterus for the presence of any abnormalities.

Possible Side-effects

Once the procedure is over, woman may encounter any of the following common side effects:

Irregular vaginal bleeding that may last for 2 weeks. Woman must use sanitary pads rather than tampons

Cramping and pain just for few days for which pain medications are prescribed by the doctor

Scarring of uterus

For quick recovery, it is vital to take complete rest. Woman can resume to regular activities once she feel completely normal. The uterus may take at the least 2 weeks time for healing, hence sexual activities is not advisable to avoid infection of the reproductive organs.

Need for Doctor’s Visit

Some women may experience certain conditions in the post-recovery period. It is very important to check with the doctor immediately, if they suffer with one or more discomforts such as:

Heavy bleeding

Foul-smelling, watery vaginal discharge

Fever or chillness of the body

Severe pelvic pain

The doctor may discuss about the dos and don’ts during the session, so that the complications subside without getting prolonged. Antibiotics may be prescribed in case of infections.