Endometrial Biopsy

Endometrial Biopsy Side Effects

August 22nd, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »

Sometimes a doctor will want to perform a endometrial biopsy. This is a procedure that is used to obtain a piece of the endometrium, which is a tissue that lines the uterus. A tiny piece is remove and analyzed to determine all sorts of factors including whether or not a certain medication is working, what the cause of infertility might be and other problems. The Endometrial biopsy is a painful procedure while it is being conducted, even if the doctor uses a anesthetic agent on the inside of the uterus and many people report that they also experience side effects from the procedure as well.

Endometrial Biopsy Side Effects

Probably the most common side effect that is reported as the result of an endometrial biopsy is the pain afterward. This usually comes in the form of cramping, and will usually last several hours after the procedure, but may continue for several days. Doctors will usually prescribe some sort of narcotic pain medication as a result of this procedure, because so many report pain afterward. The level of discomfort is different for each person that undergoes the procedure, but usually the cramping is similar to that of menstrual cramping and can be dealt with.

Another symptom that people often experience after an endometrial biopsy is spasms in the uterus, which are similar to cramps. However, one of the positive things about these spasms is that they do subside fairly soon after the procedure is over.

Some women also experience dizziness after they have this procedure done. The dizziness may vary from one person to another. Some will feel light headed right after the procedure and others will feel dizziness for a short time afterward. The symptoms will usually subside, but for this reason if you are having this procedure done you should probably have someone else drive you home.

Fainting is also a possible side effect. Not all women experience fainting, but those that do experience it usually during the procedure itself, considered a vasovagal reaction from the procedure due to the heart slowing slightly. Some women may also experience spotting or bleeding as a result of an endometrial biopsy.

There are some risks associated with an endometrial biopsy, but they are usually very minor. One risk that is a possibility is extended bleeding after the procedure, but this is usually cleared up. Also, as with any medical procedure, there is the risk of infection following an endometrial biopsy. In very rare cases, the uterus may be nicked or pierced during the procedure or the cervix might be torn. However, these risks are all very minor and should not deter anyone from getting this procedure if they need it.

The bottom line is that if you need to have an endometrial biopsy done you should. It can be one of the best tools to detect endometrial cancer and if you are experiencing any of the symptoms that point to this type of cancer you should visit your doctor and find out if you should have this procedure done.

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Endometrial Biopsy Pain

June 4th, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »

An endometrial biopsy is a procedure that your doctor will perform to get a sample of the tissue that lines your uterus, called the endometrium. This technique removes a tiny piece of tissue from the lining of the womb and it is then analyzed in a lab for the tests that the doctor has ordered. A pathologist will usually test for diseases of anything else that the doctor has requested. An Endrometrial Biopsy can be a painful procedure, with pain experienced while the procedure is being conducted, and afterward after it has ended. Doctors may use lidocain during the procedure and prescribe pain pills afterward.

There are a few different reasons that a doctor might order an endrometrial biopsy to be performed. Often, it is to help determine why the uterus is bleeding, but it can also be done to help determine the cause of infertility, or to test the uterus for infections. Also, some medications that are given have to be tested using an endometrial biopsy to determine whether or not they are effective. The previous procedure that found out these answers was called a dilation and curettage, more commonly known as a D&C and it was more complex and required extensive preparation. Unlike that procedure, an endometrial biopsy can be performed right in your doctor’s office.

Endometrial Biopsy

The endrometrial biopsy is performed with the women lying on a table in a position like the one used to get a pap smear. The doctor will have the patient disrobe from the waist down, and then use a speculum to open up the vaginal canal, so that he or she can see the cervix, which is the uterus opening. The doctor will clamp the cervix and may spray the inside with lidocain in order to alleviate some of the pain and discomfort that the patient will feel. Then, the doctor will insert a thin round tube through the cervix, made of metal or plastic so that he or she can obtain a piece of the inner lining.

Endometrial biopsy pain is quite common. The reason that doctors spray the lidocain is to help to deal with some of the pain from the procedure, but the lidocain spray burns when it is sprayed into the area. The clamp that is put onto the cervix will be another major cause of pain and the procedure itself, where the doctor has to procure a piece of the lining with the tube is extremely painful. Most of the time, this will only be required once, but sometimes the procedure can entain two or three instances of procuring a piece of the endometrium.

After the procedure, there will be usually be cramping and pain from this area that can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult to function. Doctors will generally prescribe pain medication like hydrocodone or some other narcotic to deal with the pain, and the patient should take it along with any other over the counter medication that is prescribed or recommended.

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Endometrial Biopsy

May 4th, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »

An Endometrial Biopsy is a procured that women go through. It is completed by taking a sample of the tissue that lines the uterus, and then examined under a microscope for any abnormalities or signs of cancerous cells. The test is usually performed without anesthesia but not every time, and it is done in stirrups like many other female examinations. Patients will usually not experience any major pain when undergoing this procedure but they may want to take an over the counter painkiller to counteract minor cramping. There may also be a pinch when the sample is collected.

How an Endometrial Biopsy is Performed

Endometrial Biopsy

This exam is usually performed by your doctor, who will insert a speculum into the vagina so that it will stay open, and they will be able to see the cervix. The health care professional will clean the cervix with antiseptic and then grab it with a tenaculum so that the uterus is steady. If the cervical canal is not wide enough, or if there is tightness a cervical dilator might be used to stretch the canal. A very small plastic tube is inserted into the uterine cavity and suction will removed a sample of the inside of the cervix. Then, the tissue samples are passed onto the lab.

Why You Might Get a Endometrial Biopsy

A Endometrial Biopsy might be performed for a variety of reasons. One is if the patient has been experiencing abnormal menstrual bleeding such as excessive heavy bleeding, or bleeding that will not stop as well as bleeding that is irregular. Also, if the patient has undergone menopause and is still bleeding this biopsy may give some answers. If the patient has bled from taking medication such as hormones then this procedure may be ordered as well as if there is thickening of the lining of the uterus when an ultrasound is performed.

Results

The results of a endometrial biopsy will show if you suffer from any condition that could cause you to bleed in the ways described. Once the samples have been sent off to the lab, they will examine them for any signs of abnormalities. If the results of the sample show no abnormalities then the biopsy is normal. However, the biopsy may instead be abnormal and show signs of endometrial cancer, or early signs of the cancer called hyperplasia. Your doctor is also looking for polyps in the uterus, as well as uterine fibroids. Sometimes this test is conducted to see if the patient is infertile, and this sample should be able to determine if the hormones are doing their job and stimulating the lining of the uterus so that the fertilized egg will be able to be implanted.

Treatment

Depending upon the condition that the patient is experiencing, the doctor may prescribe one or more treatments to combat the condition. For cancer, or early signs of cancer, there may be drugs, radiation therapy and diet changes. Each condition has its own treatment, and you should see your doctor to find out which ones he or she recommends after getting the endometrial biopsy.