Womb biopsy

A womb biopsy is when a sample of tissue is taken from the lining of the womb . This is also called an endometrial biopsy. Your doctor sends the sample to the laboratory. This is where a pathologist checks it for abnormal or cancerous cells.

There are different ways to take a biopsy of the womb lining. 

Before having a womb biopsy

Before having your womb biopsy, your doctor or nurse will explain what will happen and ask for your permission to do the test. You might also be asked to sign a consent form . You can ask questions you might have at any time. 

You usually have a chaperone in the room with you while you have your biopsy. A chaperone is another staff member from the clinic. It’s normal practice to offer this for intimate examinations or tests. Ask for a chaperone if this is what you want, and it hasn’t been offered. 

Aspiration biopsy

There is no special preparation needed for this biopsy.

You usually have this test in the outpatient department. Sometimes you might have this test with a local or general anaesthetic at another time in the operating theatre.

You lie on your back on a couch with your knees up and feet apart. You'll need to remove your underwear, but you will have a sheet to cover yourself with. Your doctor or nurse gently opens your vagina with a speculum . This is the same as when you have a cervical screening test.

Then they put a long thin tube into the womb through your vagina. With gentle suction, they draw some of the cells lining the womb into the tube. They then remove the tube and the speculum. You can get up from the couch and get dressed.

It should only take a few minutes, and you can normally go home straight afterwards.

Your doctor sends the sample of cells to the lab for a pathologist to check them carefully under a microscope.

Side effects

You may have period type pains or tummy cramps during or after this test. Mild painkillers such as paracetamol, should help to control any pain. You might also have some vaginal bleeding for a couple of days afterwards.

You should contact your hospital 24 hour advice line if you have:

• pain

• tummy (abdominal) cramps that do not get better

• bleeding that is heavier than usual for you

• a fever

• a foul smelling discharge from the vagina

Hysteroscopy

This test uses a very thin telescope called a hysteroscope. Your doctor uses it to look into your womb and take a biopsy.

Before you have the test your doctor will tell you what happens and how they take the biopsy. They will ask for your permission to do the test and you usually sign a consent form. Do ask if you have any questions about the test. 

You can have a local, general or spinal anaesthetic. If you have a local anaesthetic you usually have this test as an outpatient. This means you will be in and out of the hospital within a couple of hours. If you have a general or spinal anaesthetic you have it as a day patient. This means you will be on a day ward and be in hospital for most of the day.

Some people find the test painful. Talk to your doctor about it beforehand if:

•  you faint because of pain when you have periods

• you find having a vaginal examination painful

• having cervical screening is painful

• you have had a traumatic experience that might make it difficult for you

If you are having the test as an outpatient without a general anaesthetic you may be advised to take painkillers an hour before you have the test. Do tell your doctor or nurse if you are in pain during the test so they can stop and give you something for it.

Having a hysteroscopy

You will have a nurse with you to support you during the test. 

To have the test you need to remove any clothes from below your waist. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You lie on a couch with your legs held in supports. You will have a sheet to cover the lower half of your body. 

Your doctor puts the hysteroscope into the womb through the vagina and cervix . You might have a speculum put into your vagina beforehand to keep it open. The speculum also helps the doctor to see the cervix.

Clear fluid is passed through the tube. This makes it easier to see inside your womb.

The hysteroscope has a light and a camera so your doctor can see the lining of the womb on a screen. This helps them examine your womb and take a sample of the lining. They send the sample to the laboratory to check for cancer cells.

If you find the test painful, let your nurse and doctor know. They can stop the test and help you make you more comfortable.

The test may take up to 30 minutes. 

After a hysteroscopy

After this test you might have some cramping pains, but mild painkillers should help. Ask your nurse about taking pain relief tablets. You may also have some vaginal bleeding which can last up to 7 to 10 days.

Possible complications 

There is a risk of problems or complications after this test.  

There is a risk of infection with this test. To help reduce the risk of infection avoid having sex for a week afterwards. Or until any bleeding has stopped. Speak to your nurse for more information about this.

Contact your hospital 24 hour advice line or go to your nearest accident and emergency department if you:

• have heavy vaginal bleeding.

• have pain

• have a fever

• have a high temperature

• have a bad smelling discharge from the vagina

• are feeling generally unwell

Getting your results

You should get your results within 1 to 2 weeks. Contact the doctor who arranged the biopsy if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.

Waiting for results can make you anxious. You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can speak to for information if you need to. It can also help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.