Daily Health Tips

Posts Tagged ‘Curettage’

Definition: A Curettage is the scraping of the mucosa or inner membrane of the uterus (the endometrium). It is the most common gynecological procedure and is performed primarily to treat or diagnose the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Curettage is the removal of tissue from the lining of the uterus with a spoon-shaped instrument (the curette) which requires the previous expansion of the opening of the uterus.

When should this procedure be performed?
Curettage may be indicated in the following cases:
* Diagnosis and treatment of abnormal menstrual periods, especially in older women
* Diagnosis and treatment of polyps located in the endometrium
* Diagnosis of uterine cancer, fibroids or other tumors of the uterus
* Treatment of endometritis (inflammation of the endometrium)
* Putting an end to a pregnancy, or removing the tissue that remains after childbirth or after an abortion
* Heavy bleeding after birth (placenta)

Special care before and after Curettage
Before a D & C:
* If you go to use general anesthesia. Do not eat or drink anything for 8 to 10 hours before surgery
* To avoid excessive bleeding. Do not take aspirin or medications that interfere with blood clotting during the week before the procedure

After curettage:
Because the cervix remains dilated weeks after the procedure:
* Do not use tampons or douches for 10 to 14 days
* Do not have sex for 10 days
* Do not take baths in the tub, use the shower