By Dr Joel Enejeta
WHAT IS DILATATION AND CURETTAGE?
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. Doctors perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions — such as heavy bleeding — or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion.
In a dilatation and curettage small instruments or a medication is used to open (dilate) your cervix — the lower, narrow part of your uterus. Your doctor then uses a surgical instrument called a curette to remove uterine tissue. Curettes used in a D&C can be sharp or use suction.
WHEN TO EXPECT MENSTRUATION AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Most women will have their menstrual cycles return somewhere between two and six weeks after a D&C. But the exact length of time for return of period after D&C will vary by the person, of course, and possibly by how far along the pregnancy was at the time of the procedure (hormone levels return to normal more quickly after an early procedure than they do after a later procedure).
If it’s been more than eight weeks since your D&C and you haven’t yet had a period, tell your physician. Most likely, there isn’t a serious problem, but a small number of women will develop intrauterine adhesions or scarring following D&C–with the highest risk being in women who have had more than one D&C. Scarring in the uterus, or Asherman’s syndrome, can cause future fertility problems if not treated, so your physician may want to rule out the condition to be on the safe side. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion if you feel you need to.
A slow-to-return menstrual period can be frustrating, especially if you’re hoping to begin trying again for a new pregnancy, but the good news is that most research has shown that future fertility is roughly the same following the procedure–so once your period does return, chances are that you shouldn’t be at any higher risk for future problems.