Pipelle Biopsy: What it is, why it is needed, and other details
Pipelle biopsy is also called endometrial biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure. It is used to examine tissue samples. It is widely used for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. There are some symptoms or indications that you might be facing when doctors suggest a Pipelle biopsy.
Fertility experts can help you understand these issues, diagnoses, and treatments that are suitable for your issue. You need to have an urgent consultation if you have constant symptoms. Whether you need IVF treatment, IUI treatment, or single embryo transfer, you can connect with our consultants. Pipelle Biopsy is usually suggested only when diagnosis of endometrial cancer is needed. Let us understand what it is and other details:
What is an endometrial biopsy?
Pipelle biopsy, also called Endometrial Biopsy, is a minimally invasive clinical process that is utilized to remove a small piece of tissue from the inner lining of your uterus. The tissue is then checked under the microscope to see any abnormal cells or cells that can be cancerous. In a clinic or hospital, this process would not take longer than fifteen minutes. The test or evaluation results are provided on the same day as the procedure. It is typical for you to feel some minor pain, discomfort, or bleeding following the treatment.
Indications of Pipelle Biopsy
Doctors may recommend pipelle endometrial biopsy in some conditions or if the patient is experiencing certain indications or issues. In addition, a Pipelle biopsy can assist in diagnosing conditions that doctors might suspect after an ultrasound or pap smear. These are some of the indications or conditions when Pipelle biopsy is recommended:
- Irregular Periods: If you are experiencing heavy periods or irregular periods or you are not at all getting your periods, a Pipelle biopsy might be suggested by doctors.
- Post Menopause Bleeding: Sometimes after menopause, if you are bleeding or facing any concerns with irregular bleeding, a pipelle biopsy is indicated.
Who does a doctor recommend Pipelle's biopsy to?
The Pipelle biopsy or endometrial biopsy is one of the most common and accurate biopsies to test for endometrial cancer. Women above 35 years old are most likely to have an endometrial biopsy. Women who are facing infertility issues or having difficulty in conceiving due to issues in the uterus lining can be suggested to take an endometrial biopsy by doctors. However, pregnant women cannot take pipelle endometrial biopsy.
Why is a Pipelle Biopsy required?
Under certain conditions, a doctor can consider a Pipelle biopsy. Let's know more in detail:
- Abnormal bleeding: Biopsy results can showcase some cell changes that are linked with hormone levels or ant abnormal tissues such as polyps or fibroids. It often results in abnormal bleeding. So, doctors can suggest a pipelle endometrial biopsy to diagnose if there is any uterus infection, such as endometritis.
- Endometrial cancer: The experts might suggest an endometrial biopsy in order to check the effects of hormone therapy, to find abnormal cells, and to find cancer. Endometrial cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer of female reproductive organs. So, pipelle endometrial biopsy technique is not suggested by doctors as a routine test for infertility treatments.
- Bleeding after menopause: If you have abnormal bleeding after menopause, the doctor might suggest you have an endometrial biopsy.
- Uterine infections: In case of some uterine infections, an endometrial biopsy is done to check these infections.
- Uterine lining: If your ultrasound shows a thick lining of your womb, an endometrial biopsy is done to check the reasons for the same.
Hormone Therapy: The pipelle endometrial biopsy technique is suggested by doctors to check how your uterus is responding to hormone therapy.
What is the procedure of Pipelle Biopsy?
For endometrial biopsy, there is a certain procedure followed by experts to ensure high accuracy. Here's the Pipelle Biopsy procedure you need to know:
- Consultation: As a part of your consultation, doctors will ask you a few questions to understand if you need a biopsy or not. You are recommended to share your medical history and all other details to avoid any issues.
- Assessment: Nurses will conduct an assessment to check your medical conditions and other issues to ensure if you need a biopsy or other methods that can be used.
- Preparation: It is advised to avoid intercourse and tampons a few days prior to endometrial biopsy. You might be suggested with other things depending on the individual's health.
- Examination: You will have to undress and cover in sheets for pelvic examination to assess the position. You will have to place your feet on stirrups and lay on a recline to conduct a pelvic exam or pap smear. The doctor will insert or enter a speculum into the vagina to hold it open and see the cervix for examination. A speculum is a clinical instrument that can help fertility experts to see hollow parts of your body.
- Process: The doctor will clean your cervix with a solution. Then, they will use a specialized and advanced instrument to ensure that your cervix is steady while a suction tube goes into it. This instrument is termed a tenaculum. This step is when you will feel significant pain.
- Sample: A thin suction tube is placed in your cervix to your uterus for collecting tissue for pipelle endometrial sampling. You might feel the suction tube moving inside when the sample is collected.
- Testing: This pipelle endometrial sampling collected during the procedure is then sent to the pathologist for testing. Tests might take 15 minutes or more.
Benefits Of Pipelle Biopsy
Pipelle Biopsy has advantages over many traditional methods, such as:
- Minimal Invasive method: The Pipelle biopsy or endometrial biopsy is a minimally invasive method that lowers the risk of complications and offers short-term recovery.
- Quick procedure: The biopsy can be performed in a fertility clinic or office, so you do not have to get hospitalized.
- Efficient method: The Pipelle biopsy is an efficient and advanced method for taking endometrial tissue pipelle sampling that allows high accuracy in diagnosis.
- Less or no pain: The endometrial biopsy causes less or no pain as it's a minimally invasive procedure. So, patients also recover quickly from regular activities.
What happens after Pipelle's Biopsy?
After the endometrial biopsy, you will be kept under observation to understand if there are any changes in your health. There are certain things that might happen or you might experience after a biopsy, such as:
- If there is any discomfort or stomach pain, you can take paracetamol urgently. Later, visit a doctor to avoid any issues.
- You might experience some vaginal bleeding after a biopsy, which is normal. So, you must have a sanitary towel or pad handy.
- You can continue with any of your normal activities, but it is suggested not to have sex until the bleeding stops completely.
- If you experience any other unusual symptoms, immediately contact your fertility expert or biopsy doctor.
How long does it take for recovery after a Pipelle Biopsy?
It is normal for patients to have soreness or cramping for 48 hours. It only takes a few days for patients to recover from endometrial biopsy. It has quick recovery post-biopsy. However, in case of a few conditions, you can call doctors such as:
- Viginal bleeding for more than 2 days.
- Foul smell in vaginal discharge.
- Any pain stronger than menstrual cramping after 2 to 3 days.
- Flu and fever-like symptoms such as chills.
Pipelle Biopsy Risks
Though Pipelle biopsy is safe, there might be some associated risks. Such as:
- Any infection.
- Viginal bleeding.
- Spotting and cramping lasting for several days.
- Perforating or tearing of the uterus or cervix, which is rare.
What if the Pipelle Biopsy result is abnormal?
If the results are normal, it means no abnormal cells are found. If results are abnormal, there might be a few reasons, such as:
- Endometrial cancer.
- Uterine polyps or fibroids.
- Infections in your uterine lining.
- Hormonal imbalance.
There is a chance that the results will be unclear or inconclusive. If you have abnormal results from the Pipelle biopsy, the doctors will examine and check the reports to plan the next steps. Abnormal results do not mean you have cancerous cells; there are chances you might not need any treatment. So you can consult your doctor to discuss the next steps.
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