Dilation and Curettage (D&C): Understanding the Procedure and Reasons

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a medical procedure that involves dilating the cervix and scraping the lining of the uterus. It is typically done to:

- Remove tissue from the uterus for diagnostic purposes, such as to identify the cause of abnormal bleeding or to diagnose cancer.

- Remove retained products of conception (RPOC) after a miscarriage or abortion. RPOC is when some tissue from the pregnancy remains in the uterus after it has been expelled.

- Treat abnormal uterine bleeding, such as heavy or prolonged periods.

- Remove polyps or fibroids from the uterus. Polyps are small, non-cancerous growths on the lining of the uterus, while fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the muscle of the uterus.

D&C is a relatively common procedure that is performed in a hospital or clinic setting. It typically takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and it is done under general anesthesia so that the patient is unconscious and does not feel any pain during the procedure.