Women with the following conditions need an endometrial biopsy to detect endometrial cancer.

Postmenopausal Bleeding :
Any woman with postmenopausal bleeding who is not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) requires endometrial sampling, 7% of women with postmenopausal bleeding are diagnosed of malignancy.

Perimenopausal Bleeding :
Perimenopausal women with abnormal bleeding are at increased risk of endometrial cancer. Thus, all women with abnormal uterine bleeding in the perimenopausal period require endometrial sampling.

Tamoxifen therapy :
Due, to estrogenic effect of Tamoxifen on endometrial lining, patients taking tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer and who experience vaginal bleeding should undergo endometrial biopsy. One of the side effects of breast cancer patients undergoing Tamoxifen therapy is development of endometrial cancer.

Abnormal Pap smear Cytology :
The presence of any endometrial cells on Pap smear in post-menopause women is an indication of significant risk of having endometrial cancer.

Disease follow-up :
Women treated for endometrial cancer by hormonal therapy require a follow-up of endometrial biopsy every 3 to 6 months to ensure the regression of the disease.

Pipelle Endometrial Aspirator
The device is made of clear, flexible Polypropylene sheath with an Inner plunger.

Pipelle Endometrial Aspirator is a disposable device, easy to use as no external suction is required and well tolerated by the patient.
The Pipelle enables quick sampling of the endometrium (5-15 seconds of operating time), and the entire procedure can be accomplished within 10-15 minutes.

Novak Curette
The Novak curette is made up of Stainless steel, is non-disposable, the canula is rigid and attached to the non cutting end of the curette, using a syringe plunger the histologic sample is drawn inside the cannula and syringe.

Disadvantage of Novak curette is due to pain felt by the patients during the sampling.

Tis-u-Trap Endometrial Curette
The Tis-u-Trap is a disposable sampling device made up of plastic which requires an external suction to collect the sample.

The requirement of external suction limits the portability of the device.

After the procedure, you should rest a while before going home.

Normally, cramping or vaginal bleeding occurs for a few days after the procedure. Consult your doctor for pain relievers; be sure to take only recommended medications, you can use sanitary pad for bleeding.

You should have restricted activity to do strenuous activity or heavy lifting.

Prolonged bleeding may occur after the biopsy.

There is a chance of developing infection.

There is a chance of injury or tearing of the uterus or the cervix.

Which doctor should I consult for an Endometrial Biopsy?
You should consult a Gynecologist or a General physician.

What is the function of Endometrium ?
During each menstrual cycle the endometrium prepares to nourish a fetus, if fertilization does not occur, the endometrium along with blood and mucus from the vagina and cervix discharges from the body through the vagina.

What are female pelvic organs ?
The organs and structures of the female pelvis are:

Endometrium - the lining of the uterus.

Uterus - uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum.

Ovaries - Ovaries are the two female reproductive organs located in the pelvis in which the egg cells (ova) are developed and stored. Estrogens and Progesterone the female sex hormones are produced in the ovaries.

Cervix - Cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus located between the bladder and the rectum, forming a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.

Vagina - Vagina is called the "birth canal," the vagina connects the cervix and the vulva (the external genitalia). Vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods.

Vulva - Vulva is the external portion of the female genital organs.

Should I fast before a biopsy test ?
Prior preparation of fasting or sedation is required before the biopsy test; the physician may recommend you take a pain reliever 30 minutes before the procedure.

What are the information to be told to the doctor before biopsy procedure ?
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant.

If you are allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, and anesthetic agents.

Notify all medications (prescription and over-the-counter), blood-thinning drugs, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may have to stop these medicines before the biopsy procedure.

Inform if you have a history of bleeding disorders.

You should keep a record of your menstrual cycles.

What does abnormal biopsy results indicate ?
Luteal phase defect indicates that endometrium is not developing at the appropriate rate and cannot support a pregnancy. The condition can be treated by giving progesterone hormone.
Abnormal appearance of the cells in uterine tissue indicates uterine cancer, or the presence of fibroids or polyps in the uterus.

Can endometrial biopsy done during pregnancy ?
No, endometrial biopsy should not be done during pregnancy; it may lead to miscarriage and death of the fetus. Pregnancy should be avoided during the schedule of endometrial biopsy.

What is the accuracy to detect disease condition ?
The accuracy of endometrial biopsy to detect endometrial disease, especially the sensitivity of detecting endometrial cancer is 83% to 96%.

Speculum : It is an instrument used to hold the walls of vagina open in order to examine the interior cavity.

Endometrial hyperplasia : Thickening of the endometrial lining due to an overgrowth of mucosal cells

Vaginal discharge : A common gynecologic disorder characterised by an abnormal, non bloody discharge from the genital tract.

Inflammatory : Inflammation is the reaction of living tissues to injury, infection or irritation. Inflamed tissues are characterised by pain, swelling, redness and heat. Anything that stimulates the inflammatory response is said to be inflammatory.