What’s Involved with an Endometrial Biopsy?

An endometrial biopsy is a helpful diagnostic tool that can help identify possible root causes of uterine-related issues including irregular periods, abnormal uterine bleeding, and infertility. 

During this procedure, a small sample of your uterine lining — called the endometrium — is taken and sent to a lab to look for abnormal cell growth. While an endometrial biopsy can’t treat anything, it can help diagnose conditions and create a pathway for effective treatment.

At the Center for Women’s Health Richmond in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, our team of women’s health specialists have the knowledge and expertise needed to safely perform endometrial biopsies and diagnose the root cause of your symptoms.

This month’s blog explores everything you need to know before you get an endometrial biopsy.

What can an endometrial biopsy diagnose?

If you’re going several months without a period, having severe and excessive bleeding during periods, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after menopause, or you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, we often recommend an endometrial biopsy. It may also be necessary if you have an abnormal Pap test result.

This procedure can identify any of the following issues that could be causing symptoms:

• Uterine polyps
• Endometrial infection (endometritis) 
• Adenomyosis, a condition where the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle
• Ovulatory dysfunction 
• Uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths 
• Endometrial cancer
• Hormone imbalances

An endometrial biopsy can also see if your uterine lining is inflamed or non-conducive to accepting a fertilized egg. 

What happens during an endometrial biopsy?

Your biopsy procedure is very similar to a pelvic exam and done right in our office. As long as you don’t have severe bleeding, you can take some ibuprofen about an hour before to help mitigate any discomfort.

To begin, you undress and change into a hospital gown. You can then lie back on the exam table and place your feet into the stirrups provided. Your provider then inserts a speculum to get a clear view into your cervix. Next, they place a clamp on your cervix to keep it steady before inserting a tube called a pipelle through your cervix and into your uterus. The pipelle then gently suctions cells from your uterus into a laboratory testing tube.

The whole procedure takes about 10 minutes.

What is recovery from an endometrial biopsy like?

You can go home right after your biopsy is complete; however, you may experience some soreness, cramping, and bleeding for a few days afterward. You can’t place anything inside your vagina for at least a week after your biopsy, so use a sanitary pad for your bleeding rather than a tampon. You also need to refrain from sex and strenuous activity for about a week.

Once your results are ready, our team gives you a call to walk through what they mean and what the next steps are.

An endometrial biopsy is a safe and efficient way to diagnose a number of uterine-related conditions. To determine if this diagnostic test is right for you, schedule an appointment with our team by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today.