BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuD and CDilation and curettage; Uterus scraping; Vaginal bleeding - dilation; Uterine bleeding - dilation; Menopause - dilationD and C (dilation and curettage) is a procedure to scrape and collect the tissue (endometrium) from inside the uterus.Dilation (D) is a widening of the cervix to allow instruments into the uterus. Curettage (C) is the scraping of tissue from the walls of the uterus. Description D and C, also called uterine scraping, may be performed in the hospital or in a clinic while you are under general or local anesthesia.GeneralGeneral anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The health care provider will insert an instrument called a speculum into the vagina. This holds the vaginal canal open. Numbing medicine may be applied to the opening to the uterus (cervix).CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The cervical canal is widened, and a curette (a metal loop on the end of a long, thin handle) is passed through the opening into the uterus cavity. The provider gently scrapes the inner layer of tissue, called the endometrium. The tissue is collected for examination. Why the Procedure Is Performed This procedure may be done to:Diagnose or rule out conditions such as uterine cancer Uterine cancerEndometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Remove tissue after a miscarriage MiscarriageA miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Mi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treat heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, or bleeding between periods Bleeding between periodsThis article discusses vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman's monthly menstrual periods. Such bleeding may be called "intermenstrual bleedin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Perform a therapeutic or elective abortion Your provider may also recommend a D and C if you have:Abnormal bleeding while you are on hormone replacement therapy An embedded intrauterine device (IUD) IUDYour choice of a birth control method depends on a number of factors, including your health, how often you have sex, and whether or not you want chil...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding after menopause Endometrial polyps (small lumps of tissue on the endometrium) Thickening of the uterus This list may not include all possible reasons for a D and C. Risks Risks related to D and C include:Puncture of the uterus Scarring of the uterine lining (Asherman syndrome, may lead to infertility later) Asherman syndromeAsherman syndrome is the formation of scar tissue in the uterine cavity. The problem most often develops after uterine surgery.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tear of the cervixRisks due to anesthesia include:Reactions to medicines Problems breathingProblems breathingBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks of any surgery include:Bleeding Infection After the Procedure The D and C procedure has few risks. It can provide relief from bleeding and can help diagnose cancer and other diseases.You may return to your normal activities as soon as you feel better, possibly even the same day. You may have vaginal bleeding, pelvic cramps, and back pain for a few days after the procedure. You can usually manage pain well with medicines. Avoid using tampons and having sexual intercourse for 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.Open ReferencesReferencesBulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Ryntz T, Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: etiology and management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 26.Williams VL, Thomas S. Dilation and curettage. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 162.AllVideoImagesTogD and C - illustration D and C (dilatation and curettage) is a procedure in which the vaginal canal is held open with a speculum and the cervix is dilated with a metal rod. A curette is then passed through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity where endometrial tissue is scraped away and collected for examination.D and CillustrationD and C - seriesPresentation D and C - illustration D and C (dilatation and curettage) is a procedure in which the vaginal canal is held open with a speculum and the cervix is dilated with a metal rod. A curette is then passed through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity where endometrial tissue is scraped away and collected for examination.D and Cillustration D and C - seriesPresentation Related Information Cervix(Special Topic)Biopsy(Medical Test)Miscarriage(Condition)Vaginal bleeding between periods(Symptoms)Infertility(Condition)Endometrial cancer(Condition)Hyperplasia(Medical Test)Birth control and family planning(Special Topic)Infertility in women - InDepth(In-Depth)Birth control options for women - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/19/2022 Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
D and CDilation and curettage; Uterus scraping; Vaginal bleeding - dilation; Uterine bleeding - dilation; Menopause - dilationD and C (dilation and curettage) is a procedure to scrape and collect the tissue (endometrium) from inside the uterus.Dilation (D) is a widening of the cervix to allow instruments into the uterus. Curettage (C) is the scraping of tissue from the walls of the uterus. Description D and C, also called uterine scraping, may be performed in the hospital or in a clinic while you are under general or local anesthesia.GeneralGeneral anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The health care provider will insert an instrument called a speculum into the vagina. This holds the vaginal canal open. Numbing medicine may be applied to the opening to the uterus (cervix).CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The cervical canal is widened, and a curette (a metal loop on the end of a long, thin handle) is passed through the opening into the uterus cavity. The provider gently scrapes the inner layer of tissue, called the endometrium. The tissue is collected for examination. Why the Procedure Is Performed This procedure may be done to:Diagnose or rule out conditions such as uterine cancer Uterine cancerEndometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Remove tissue after a miscarriage MiscarriageA miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Mi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treat heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, or bleeding between periods Bleeding between periodsThis article discusses vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman's monthly menstrual periods. Such bleeding may be called "intermenstrual bleedin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Perform a therapeutic or elective abortion Your provider may also recommend a D and C if you have:Abnormal bleeding while you are on hormone replacement therapy An embedded intrauterine device (IUD) IUDYour choice of a birth control method depends on a number of factors, including your health, how often you have sex, and whether or not you want chil...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding after menopause Endometrial polyps (small lumps of tissue on the endometrium) Thickening of the uterus This list may not include all possible reasons for a D and C. Risks Risks related to D and C include:Puncture of the uterus Scarring of the uterine lining (Asherman syndrome, may lead to infertility later) Asherman syndromeAsherman syndrome is the formation of scar tissue in the uterine cavity. The problem most often develops after uterine surgery.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tear of the cervixRisks due to anesthesia include:Reactions to medicines Problems breathingProblems breathingBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks of any surgery include:Bleeding Infection After the Procedure The D and C procedure has few risks. It can provide relief from bleeding and can help diagnose cancer and other diseases.You may return to your normal activities as soon as you feel better, possibly even the same day. You may have vaginal bleeding, pelvic cramps, and back pain for a few days after the procedure. You can usually manage pain well with medicines. Avoid using tampons and having sexual intercourse for 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.Open ReferencesReferencesBulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Ryntz T, Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: etiology and management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 26.Williams VL, Thomas S. Dilation and curettage. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 162.