Anendometrial biopsyis a procedure where a small tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus, called theendometrium, to be studied under a microscope. The endometrial tissue is examined for abnormal cells or for hormonal effects on the endometrium.Science Picture Co / Getty ImagesThe uterine lining is thin after menses, and as the ovaries prepare for ovulation, estrogen levels rise, which increasingly thickens the endometrium.After ovulation occurs, the endometrium enters theluteal or secretory phase, which means that the lining has undergone a series of changes which will prepare it for a possible pregnancy.If pregnancy does not occur, the thickened endometrium will be shed duringmenstruation.What an Endometrial Biopsy Looks ForDuring the procedure, a small amount of endometrial tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.While occasionally this is useful to evaluate whether ovulation has occurred, an endometrial biopsy is most often done to rule outendometrial hyperplasiaor cancer.Endometrial canceris the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs.Your healthcare provider may suggest that you undergo an endometrial biopsy for many different reasons, such as:If you have very heavy or abnormal menstrual bleedingTo look for abnormal tissues, such as fibroids or polypsIf there is bleeding after menopauseTo check the effects of hormone therapy or to find abnormal cells or cancerIf there is an absence of uterine bleedingTo check for uterine infections, such asendometritisYour biopsy results may show various states of the endometrial lining, the effects of hormones on the lining, or excessive tissue, which can indicate hypertrophy of the endometrial tissue.Endometritis vs. EndometriosisHow the Biopsy Is PerformedAn endometrial biopsy may be done in your healthcare provider’s office, as it is a fairly simple procedure.A speculum is inserted into the vagina so thecervixcan be visualized. After the cervix is cleaned, a small instrument is inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. Samples of endometrial tissue are taken from various locations within the uterus and placed in a special solution for examination.After the procedure, a small amount of bleeding is normal. However, notify your healthcare provider if bleeding becomes heavy (soaking through more than one pad an hour) or if you begin feeling faint or dizzy.Also, make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you notice a rise in your temperature, as this could be a sign of infection. Avoid intercourse or douching for at least 72 hours.Possible RisksThough an endometrial biopsy is a fairly simple procedure, there are some possible complications that you should be aware of before your appointment, such as:BleedingPelvic infectionRare, but a possible puncture of the uterine wall with the biopsy deviceWill It Hurt?You can expect some mild cramping or discomfort during the procedure. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to take any medications the night prior or day of the procedure to help decrease cramping.Let your healthcare provider know if you are:Allergic to or sensitive to medicines, iodine, or latexPregnant or think you could be, as an endometrial biopsy during pregnancy may lead to miscarriageUndergoing any other treatments or medication, as certain things may interfere with an endometrial biopsy, including vaginal or cervical infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, andcervical cancer
Anendometrial biopsyis a procedure where a small tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus, called theendometrium, to be studied under a microscope. The endometrial tissue is examined for abnormal cells or for hormonal effects on the endometrium.
Science Picture Co / Getty Images
The uterine lining is thin after menses, and as the ovaries prepare for ovulation, estrogen levels rise, which increasingly thickens the endometrium.
After ovulation occurs, the endometrium enters theluteal or secretory phase, which means that the lining has undergone a series of changes which will prepare it for a possible pregnancy.
If pregnancy does not occur, the thickened endometrium will be shed duringmenstruation.
What an Endometrial Biopsy Looks For
During the procedure, a small amount of endometrial tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
While occasionally this is useful to evaluate whether ovulation has occurred, an endometrial biopsy is most often done to rule outendometrial hyperplasiaor cancer.
Endometrial canceris the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs.
Your healthcare provider may suggest that you undergo an endometrial biopsy for many different reasons, such as:
Your biopsy results may show various states of the endometrial lining, the effects of hormones on the lining, or excessive tissue, which can indicate hypertrophy of the endometrial tissue.
Endometritis vs. Endometriosis
How the Biopsy Is Performed
An endometrial biopsy may be done in your healthcare provider’s office, as it is a fairly simple procedure.
A speculum is inserted into the vagina so thecervixcan be visualized. After the cervix is cleaned, a small instrument is inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. Samples of endometrial tissue are taken from various locations within the uterus and placed in a special solution for examination.
After the procedure, a small amount of bleeding is normal. However, notify your healthcare provider if bleeding becomes heavy (soaking through more than one pad an hour) or if you begin feeling faint or dizzy.
Also, make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you notice a rise in your temperature, as this could be a sign of infection. Avoid intercourse or douching for at least 72 hours.
Possible Risks
Though an endometrial biopsy is a fairly simple procedure, there are some possible complications that you should be aware of before your appointment, such as:
Will It Hurt?
You can expect some mild cramping or discomfort during the procedure. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to take any medications the night prior or day of the procedure to help decrease cramping.
Let your healthcare provider know if you are:
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Endometrial biopsy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for endometrial cancer.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Endometrial biopsy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for endometrial cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Endometrial biopsy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for endometrial cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Endometrial biopsy.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for endometrial cancer.
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