Why Your Gynecologist Might Recommend Dilation and Curettage in Arizona

Dilation and Curettage

Dilation and curettage in Arizona is a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. Also referred to as a D&C, knowing what to expect before, during, and after the procedure may help ease your worries and make the process go more smoothly. Here’s what you need to know.

Why do you need a dilation and curettage in Arizona?

You may need a D&C for one of several reasons.

• It’s used to remove tissue in the uterus during or after a miscarriage or abortion or to remove small pieces of placenta after childbirth. This helps prevent infection or heavy bleeding. The earlier you are in your pregnancy, the more likely your body will expel all the fetal tissue by itself and will not require further medical procedures. If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a dilation and curettage.

• To remove a molar pregnancy, in which a tumor forms instead of a normal pregnancy.

• It’s also used to diagnose or treat abnormal uterine bleeding. A D&C may help diagnose or treat growths such as fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalances or uterine cancer. A sample of uterine tissue is viewed under a microscope to check for abnormal cells.

• Gynecologists use it to diagnose certain conditions. Endometrial sampling is used to diagnose a condition if:

o You have abnormal uterine bleeding;
o You experience bleeding after menopause;
o Your doctor discovers abnormal endometrial cells during a routine test for cervical cancer.

• To perform the test, your doctor 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:

o Endometrial hyperplasia, which is a precancerous condition in which the uterine lining becomes too thick;
o Uterine polyps;
o Uterine cancer.

Care Following Your Dilation And Curettage in Arizona

After the procedure, you will rest in a post-anesthesia care unit for a few hours so we can monitor for excessive vaginal bleeding or other complications, and give you time to recover from the anesthesia. If you were given general anesthesia, you may have nausea and vomiting, which can be treated with medications.

You should be able to resume your regular activities within a day or two. Mild cramping and spotting may occur for a few hours or days; cramping can be treated with medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). You should not put anything inside the vagina (tampons, douches) during this time and should ask when you can safely have sexual intercourse. Your next menstrual period usually occurs within four to six weeks of the procedure.

You should call your gynecologist if you develop fever (temperature greater than 101º F), cramps lasting longer than 48 hours, increasing rather than decreasing pain, prolonged or heavy bleeding or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

If you would like more information regarding dilation and curettage in Arizona, call our office today to schedule a consultation.

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