What Are a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) and Hysteroscopy?
A hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat conditions inside your uterus. A D&C is for gently collecting tissue from your womb for a biopsy. For greater accuracy and improved efficiency, your NYC gynecologist may recommend a combined procedure called a hysteroscopy D&C.
Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, Columbus Circle and Queens, Hysteroscopy Center of New York provides a safe environment for Dr. Felix Cohen and his team of board-certified gynecologists to examine your uterus with a minimally invasive, patient-centered approach. A hysteroscopy D&C starts with a consultation.
What’s the Difference Between a D&C and Hysteroscopy?
A hysteroscopy uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end called a hysteroscope. Your gynecologist uses it to look inside your uterus. There are two types of hysteroscopies: diagnostic and operative.
“A diagnostic hysteroscopy helps me diagnose possible abnormal growths inside your uterus,” says Dr. Cohen. “I can investigate the cause behind your fertility issues, such as repeated miscarriages. An operative hysteroscopy addresses any abnormal conditions I find in your uterus.”
A dilation and curettage, known as a D&C, is, like a hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure requiring no incisions. In a D&C, your doctor opens your cervix using a spoon-shaped tool called a curette for procedures that include:
- Uterine conditionsIdentifying abnormal uterine conditions
- Removing the uterine lining of your womb
- Endometrial polypsRemoving endometrial polyps, fibroids or infected tissue
- Remaining tissue after a miscarriage or birthRemoving the remaining tissue after a miscarriage or birth
- Checking for possible signs of uterine cancer
- Abnormal uterine bleedingInvestigating the cause behind abnormal uterine bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding
Why Perform a D&C and Hysteroscopy Together?
A D&C and hysteroscopy are often performed together for higher precision. A D&C hysteroscopy, as a combined procedure, is a one-step treatment, which benefits you, especially when you’re trying to get pregnant. Dr. Cohen is a specialist in hysteroscopy. He prefers a see-and-treat approach in addition to a D&C because it allows for diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure, reducing the need for additional appointments and promoting faster healing.
Dr. Cohen adds: “A hysteroscopy D&C allows me to see directly into your uterine cavity while collecting a sample of its lining or removing abnormalities I find. The procedure starts with a diagnostic hysteroscopy, during which I examine your uterus for polyps, fibroids or scar tissue with a hysteroscope. If I detect a problem, I can insert operative instruments through the scope to treat it, followed by a D&C to collect tissue samples for testing.”
What’s the Recovery Like for a Hysteroscopy D&C?
The recovery period for a hysteroscopy and D&C combined procedure is still short and manageable. Since it’s usually an outpatient procedure done in the office, you go home the same day. You do need someone to drive you home and keep you company during the first 24 hours following the procedure, especially if the procedure was done under general anesthesia and pain management drugs.
You may return to your daily activities within one to two days. Most women experience a recovery period of up to two days, followed by mild symptoms that may last for up to seven days. It’s usually easy. Following a hysteroscopy and D&C, your short-term symptoms may include:
- Mild cramping, resembling menstrual cramping, but even lighter
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting for a few days that subsides fully after a week
- A bloated feeling in your abdomen if your uterus was expanded
“We often call you in the day after the procedure for a follow-up to discuss your symptoms,” says Dr. Cohen. “If necessary, we recommend over-the-counter medications, based on your medical history and pain tolerance. Avoid tampons and only use sanitary pads for the first two weeks to reduce the chance of an infection. If you still feel pain or cramping after a week, call our office.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about a Hysteroscopy vs. a D&C
Is a hysteroscopy D&C painful?
The procedure itself is not considered painful because it’s often performed after local anesthesia has been administered. You may feel mild to moderate cramping after the anesthesia’s effect wears off. If the procedure is done awake, you may experience strong cramping similar to strong menstrual pain.
Can a hysteroscopy D&C affect my fertility?
No, a hysteroscopy procedure combined with D&C doesn’t harm or affect your fertility.
Are there complications associated with a D&C and hysteroscopy?
There are little to no risks associated with both procedures, whether they’re done separately or in combination. If your doctor removes too much tissue during a D&C, it may cause uterine scarring known clinically as Asherman’s syndrome. But the effect then can be addressed in a separate hysteroscopy procedure.
Can I repeat the same procedure?
Yes, you may repeat a hysteroscopy in combination with a D&C more than once if it’s deemed medically necessary. At Hysteroscopy Center of New York, Dr. Cohen carefully examines your physical condition before checking for any abnormal uterine conditions. Only then does Dr. Cohen decide to do a second procedure. He only does it if that’s the best option for you.
Which one is more expensive, a D&C or a hysteroscopy?
Generally, when performed as separate procedures, hysteroscopy may be more expensive because it requires specialized equipment. The cost of hysteroscopy and a D&C typically varies, based on several factors, including your diagnosis, medical history, the type of anesthesia you need and whether the procedure is done in the office or at a hospital.
Does a hysteroscopy D&C help if I can’t get pregnant?
Yes, Dr. Cohen uses a hysteroscopy procedure in combination with D&C to improve your chances of getting pregnant. The procedure itself isn’t at all harmful to you getting pregnant and is generally used to diagnose and treat conditions that prevent you from getting pregnant. Clinical studies indicate that women who underwent a hysteroscopy D&C to remove uterine conditions experience an increase of 40 to 80 percent chance of getting pregnant within a year.
Will I get anesthesia for the hysteroscopy D&C procedure?
Yes, in most cases, you’ll get general anesthesia for the procedure itself.
What Makes Hysteroscopy Center of New York a Leading Choice for a Hysteroscopy D&C?
“When you come to one of our offices, we start off with a consultation,” says Dr. Cohen. “We understand that every woman who enters our Center is struggling with some kind of uterine problem, be it abnormal bleeding, changes in her menstrual cycle, pelvic discomfort or difficulty getting pregnant. We do what we do best to find the most appropriate solution for your specific condition.”
Under the expertise of Dr. Cohen, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, you can expect exceptional care, a clear diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Hysteroscopy Center of New York is a safe, reliable practice that’s helped thousands of women find relief from uterine conditions.
Whether you’re local or coming in from Canada to avoid waiting on a diagnosis, you can get the treatment you need. If you’re experiencing symptoms like cramping, vaginal bleeding or spotting, or you’ve been diagnosed with a uterine condition, schedule a consultation for hysteroscopy D&C at Hysteroscopy Center of New York at one of their three locations today.