Curettage (or cleaning) is a procedure whose goal is to eliminate the contents in the uterus and its falling membrane. That is, the organ is cleaned, and the scraped material is sent to the laboratory for studies. They do not clean the entire inside of the organ, but only the upper, multifunctional layer.
A few words about the procedure
After cleaning, a new mucosa appears from the endometrial growth coat, so it must not be hooked during the operation. Perform cleaning in a hospital, in most cases under general anesthesia. It is considered a full-fledged operation, for this reason they are prepared for it, according to all the rules, in advance.
The doctor will certainly perform a full examination of the girl on the eve of the operation in order to eliminate contraindications to the procedure, as well as more accurately determine the indications for cleaning, establish the shape and position of the uterus. Perform curettage using various devices. Before the procedure, everyone is treated with an alcoholic solution of iodine, then the cleaning itself is performed, and after the procedure is completed, the organs are also treated with antiseptics, and ice is placed on the stomach (cold helps to reduce the uterus).
In the postoperative period, the girl is obliged to be attentive to her own body. In particular, it is important to observe the nature of the bleeding, since they are the first to indicate complications. After cleaning, bleeding takes place in the form of simple periods, they last no more than 10 days, accompanied by pulling pains from the lower abdomen. In the event that the discharge is interrupted much earlier, or have an unpleasant smell, brown color, you must immediately go to the doctor.
Diagnostic cleaning
Very often, such a procedure is done to a woman in order to diagnose probable pathologies of the uterine cavity, especially if the desired pregnancy does not begin for a long period. It is possible to identify pathological processes in the uterine cavity with the help of ultrasound, however, what kind of violation struck the endometrium, the results of a histological study will be presented. Thanks to this curettage, the doctor determines the exact diagnosis, prescribes treatment, and, in accordance with this, draws conclusions about a possible pregnancy.
Hysteroscopy
Recently, almost all doctors are against such diagnostic curettage, they advise to completely switch to hysteroscopy. After all, this is the same cleaning, but not blindly. A tube with a meter at the end is inserted into the uterine cavity, which transmits a display of the investigated cavity to the screen. Next, a piece of tissue is separated with a special device, it is also examined using a microscope. It turns out that with the help of hysteroscopy they affect only an unnecessary part of the endometrium, and do not scrape off a whole layer of it.
Hysteroscopy is also justified for medicinal purposes, since the device demonstrates the extent to which excess formations are qualitatively removed. However, they often cleanse a woman at random. Medical curettage is performed for uterine fibroids, polyps of the uterus and its neck to remove them. In some cases, endometriosis and other diseases are treated with a cleaning method. Perform the procedure before the menstruation, otherwise hormonal disorders can be provoked.
Healing cleansing is required to help a woman get pregnant. This is what happens if there are no complications in the postoperative period, and the procedure itself was done correctly and treatment occurred. But there is still no need to rush, it is necessary to give the body a rest and resume. 2-3 months after the operation, you can begin to conceive. Unsuccessful efforts within two months should be the pretext of contacting a specialist.
Abortion
More pessimistic are the results of cleaning-abortion regarding further pregnancies. But here it is necessary to distinguish between concepts. In the event that the procedure was carried out in order to remove the fetal egg, then they say about abortion, which many girls also call brushing. It is worth saying that recently abortion-cleansing is considered a curiosity. However, there are other unpleasant indications for curettage. So, only this method removes an undeveloped or frozen fetus, as well as fragments of a fetal egg after a spontaneous miscarriage. Such unsuccessful pregnancies almost always require curettage. Pain after curettage of a frozen pregnancy is not felt, because the whole procedure is carried out under anesthesia.
What will happen to further pregnancy after this kind of cleaning?
Doctors reassure: in the event that a frozen or undeveloped pregnancy has arrived for the first time, there is no need to lose heart. But after scraping all the scraped material is sent to the laboratory for study, and the patient will have to be checked completely and completely.
Separately, I want to say a few words about early abortion by curettage. And it’s not even about the fact that we become killers (the payback for this misconduct will really make itself felt, and sometimes it can be unbearable). The results of abortions are all just as disappointing. Uterine perforations, uterine bleeding, hematometers, infections and inflammations of the uterine mucosa, excessive curettage (which violates the growth layer of the endometrium) - all without exception subsequently can cause infertility. These are the pessimistic monitoring that you need to think about.
If the discharge does not end
It so happens that the discharge after curettage of a frozen pregnancy quickly ends, and in some it is completely absent. However, after a few days they appear, while quite strong. Often the blood is very dark.
What is the cause of the phenomenon?
Usually, after 10-14 days, an ultrasound of the uterus is prescribed after curettage of a frozen pregnancy. Its task is to look at the size of the organ, the thickness of the endometrium, to determine anechogenic inclusions. If the gestational age was about 10 or more weeks, a blood concentration is detected in the uterus. This is called a hematometer. Appears due to contraction of the cervix. Over time, she leaves the body on her own. However, in some cases, it takes 2-3 months.
As a rule, a doctor prescribes antibacterial treatment for prophylactic purposes. This is especially necessary during menstruation. A bacterial infection is indicated by fever. That is, in this case, with pregnancy, you must wait. Dark blood does not need to be feared, it acquires such a tone due to oxidation.
Menstruation does not come
Doctors are not advised to think about pregnancy immediately after this mini-operation. Only in the next monthly cycle. However, what to do if the menstruation after curettage of a dead pregnancy did not come in due time? Often in this case, 3 injections of progesterone are prescribed. And on the withdrawal of the substance come monthly. By the way, menstruation can also be absent due to a very thorough cleaning, when the uterine muscle layer is injured. However, significant pathologies are noticeable on ultrasound.
In addition, girls with a delay are advised to take a blood test for TSH if they have not passed it before. Deviations from the norm in one direction or another can increase the risk of miscarriage, and also lead to the birth of a child with low intellectual capabilities.
When can I get pregnant after curettage?
If a woman had an artificial termination of pregnancy, which consists in removing the fetal egg with curettage of the walls of the uterus, then a subsequent pregnancy must be planned, taking into account the numerous nuances. For example, the longer the pregnancy, the more serious the injury is to the body. From this, as well as from the girl’s state of health, how quickly he recovers.
Due to the abortion, the formation of inflammatory diseases is acceptable, as well as the depletion of the functional layer of the uterus, which, in turn, can cause infertility, and in the case of pregnancy, to various complications. These include the threat of termination of pregnancy as a result of isthmic-cervical insufficiency or changes in hormonal regulation.
In addition, the curettage process injures and thins the endometrium, which can cause abnormal development of the placenta, the formation of adhesions and the attachment of the fetal egg in the lower parts of the uterus. All this can be a factor in ectopic pregnancy or the formation of placenta previa. Based on the foregoing, the doctor will give the go-ahead for pregnancy after curettage of the uterine cavity 3-6 months after the manipulation.
Other recommendations
With a frozen pregnancy, after curettage of the endometrium and other similar procedures, it is necessary:
- Essential intake of folic acid. It is necessary to start even before conception. This in many ways can help to avoid chromosomal pathologies in the embryo, because of which miscarriages are often committed in the early stages. If the reason for the spontaneous abortion was precisely this, then it is possible to conceive in a month, this does not threaten anything.
- The right way of life and the rejection of addictions. This will benefit not only your well-being, but also the unborn child.
- Beware of pharmaceuticals with teratogenic effects, X-rays, as well as other procedures and effects that can be harmful.
The child was conceived immediately
In fact, pregnancy after curettage of the uterine cavity can occur within 12-14 days. Doctors report that with a neatly performed procedure, the risk of miscarriage does not increase due to such a short period of time between procedures.
From the girl it is only necessary to carry out the advice of the doctor and the delivery of tests. In order not to miss anything, you must immediately register with a gynecologist.
Pregnancy after cleansing
Pregnancy, which has come up a long time after cleansing the uterus, can proceed without any complications. However, girls who underwent such an operation may still be at risk.
A very early pregnancy after curettage of the uterus can be aggravated by detachment of the fetal egg, the risk of miscarriage, placenta previa.
In certain cases, if fertilization has arrived before the endometrium has recovered, an ectopic pregnancy is likely.