Endometrial Biopsy

An endometrial biopsy is a way for your physician to take a small sample of the lining of the uterus (endometrium).  The sample is sent to a pathologist and looked at under a microscope for abnormal cells.  An endometrial biopsy helps your doctor find any problems in the endometrium. 

A soft, straw like device (pipelle) is used to suction a small sample of lining from the uterus. This method is fast and is not very painful.

An endometrial biopsy is done to:

• Check for cancer of the uterus. For example, an endometrial biopsy may be done to help determine the cause of some abnormal pap smear results.
• Find the cause of heavy, prolonged, or irregular uterine bleeding. It is often done to find the cause of uterine bleeding in women who have gone through menopause.
• See whether the lining of the uterus is going through the normal menstrual cycle changes.