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.
