Why it's done

Dilation and curettage is used to diagnose or treat a uterine condition.

To diagnose a condition

Before doing a D&C, your provider might recommend a procedure called endometrial biopsy or endometrial sampling to diagnose a condition. Endometrial sampling might be done if:

• You have unusual uterine bleeding
• You have bleeding after menopause
• You have unusual endometrial cells, which are discovered during a routine test for cervical cancer

To perform the test, your provider collects a tissue sample from the lining of your uterus (endometrium) and sends the sample to a lab for testing. The test can check for:

• Endometrial intraepithelial hyperplasia — a precancerous condition in which the uterine lining becomes too thick
• Uterine polyps
• Uterine cancer

If more information is needed, your provider then might recommend a D&C, which is usually done in an operating room.

To treat a condition

When performing a D&C to treat a condition, your provider removes the contents from inside your uterus, not just a small tissue sample. This might be done to:

• Prevent infection or heavy bleeding by clearing tissues that remain in the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion
• Remove a tumor that forms instead of a typical pregnancy (molar pregnancy)
• Treat excessive bleeding after delivery by clearing out any placenta that remains in the uterus
• Remove cervical or uterine polyps, which are usually noncancerous (benign)

A D&C might be combined with another procedure called hysteroscopy. During hysteroscopy, your provider inserts a slim instrument with a light and camera on the end into your vagina, through your cervix and into your uterus.

Your provider then views the lining of your uterus on a screen, checking for areas that look unusual. Your provider also checks for polyps and takes tissue samples as needed. During a hysteroscopy, uterine polyps and fibroid tumors can be removed.

At times, a hysteroscopy might be done combined with an endometrial biopsy before a full D&C procedure.