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Endometrial biopsy
Biopsy - endometrium
Endometrial biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for examination.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
How the Test is Performed
This procedure may be done with or without anesthesia. This is a medicine that allows you to sleep during the procedure.
- You lie on your back with your feet supported by a footrest.
-
Your health care provider gently inserts an instrument (speculum) into the vagina to hold it open so that your
cervix
can be viewed. The cervix is cleaned with a special liquid. Numbing medicine may be applied to the cervix.
Cervix
The cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. The cervical canal pa...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - The cervix may then be gently grasped with an instrument to hold the uterus steady. Another instrument may be needed to gently stretch the cervical opening if there is tightness.
- An instrument is gently passed through the cervix into the uterus to collect the tissue sample.
- The tissue sample and instruments are removed.
- The tissue is sent to a lab. There, it is examined under a microscope.
- If you had anesthesia for the procedure, you are taken to a recovery area. Nurses will make sure you are comfortable. After you wake up and have no problems from the anesthesia and procedure, you are allowed to go home.
How to Prepare for the Test
Before the test:
- Tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include blood thinners such as warfarin, clopidogrel, and aspirin.
- You may be asked to have a test to check if you are pregnant.
- In the 2 days before the procedure, do not use creams or other medicines in the vagina.
- Do NOT douche. (You should never douche. Douching can cause infection of the vagina or uterus.)
- Ask your provider if you should take pain medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, just before the procedure.
How the Test will Feel
The instruments may feel cold. You may feel some pain when the cervix is grasped. You may have some cramping as the instruments enter the uterus and the sample is collected.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is done to find the cause of:
- Abnormal menstrual periods (heavy, prolonged, or irregular bleeding)
-
Bleeding after
menopause
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods (menstruation) stop. Most often, it is a natural, normal body change that most often occurs...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Bleeding from taking hormone therapy medicines
- Thickened uterine lining seen on ultrasound
-
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).
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Normal Results
The biopsy is normal if the cells in the sample are not abnormal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal menstrual periods may be caused by:
-
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in a woman's womb (uterus). These growths are typically not cancerous (benign).
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Fingerlike growths in the uterus (uterine polyps)
- Infection
- Hormone imbalance
-
Endometrial cancer or precancer (
hyperplasia
)
Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia is increased cell production in a normal tissue or organ. Hyperplasia may be a sign of abnormal or precancerous changes. This is called...
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Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Abnormal bleeding if a woman is taking the breast cancer medicine tamoxifen
-
Abnormal bleeding due to changes in hormone levels (
anovulatory bleeding
)
Anovulatory bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is bleeding from the uterus that is longer than usual or that occurs at an irregular time. Bleeding may be heavier o...
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Risks
Risks of endometrial biopsy include:
- Infection
- Causing a hole in (perforating) the uterus or tearing the cervix (rarely occurs)
- Prolonged bleeding
- Slight spotting and mild cramping for a few days
References
Choby BA. Endometrial biopsy. In: Pfenninger JL, Fowler GC, eds. Pfenninger & Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 143.
Lentz GM. Endoscopy: hysteroscopy and laparoscopy: indications, contraindications and complications. In: Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2012:chap 10.
-
Pelvic laparoscopy - illustration
Laparoscopy is performed when less-invasive surgery is desired. It is also called Band-Aid surgery because only small incisions need to be made to accommodate the small surgical instruments that are used to view the abdominal contents and perform the surgery.
Pelvic laparoscopy
illustration
-
Female reproductive anatomy - illustration
External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.
Female reproductive anatomy
illustration
-
Endometrial biopsy - illustration
The mucosal lining of the cavity of the uterus is called the endometrium. It is this lining which undergoes changes over the course of the monthly menstrual cycle, sloughs off and becomes part of the menses. A biopsy of the endometrium is used to check for disease or problems of fertility.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
-
Uterus - illustration
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.
Uterus
illustration
-
Endometrial biopsy - illustration
An edometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is obtained from the endometrium (the inside lining of the uterus) and is then observed under a microscope. The tissue is thoroughly examined for any cell abnormalities or cancer. The test also helps determine the cause of abnormal menstrual periods, and can be used to screen for endometrial cancer. The test is sometimes used as part of the diagnostic work-up of women who have been unable to become pregnant.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
-
Pelvic laparoscopy - illustration
Laparoscopy is performed when less-invasive surgery is desired. It is also called Band-Aid surgery because only small incisions need to be made to accommodate the small surgical instruments that are used to view the abdominal contents and perform the surgery.
Pelvic laparoscopy
illustration
-
Female reproductive anatomy - illustration
External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.
Female reproductive anatomy
illustration
-
Endometrial biopsy - illustration
The mucosal lining of the cavity of the uterus is called the endometrium. It is this lining which undergoes changes over the course of the monthly menstrual cycle, sloughs off and becomes part of the menses. A biopsy of the endometrium is used to check for disease or problems of fertility.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
-
Uterus - illustration
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.
Uterus
illustration
-
Endometrial biopsy - illustration
An edometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is obtained from the endometrium (the inside lining of the uterus) and is then observed under a microscope. The tissue is thoroughly examined for any cell abnormalities or cancer. The test also helps determine the cause of abnormal menstrual periods, and can be used to screen for endometrial cancer. The test is sometimes used as part of the diagnostic work-up of women who have been unable to become pregnant.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
Review Date: 9/26/2015
Reviewed By: Daniel N. Sacks MD, FACOG, obstetrics & gynecology in private practice, West Palm Beach, FL. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
