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What is an Endocervical Curettage?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Many women will never have endocervical curettage (ECC), but it might be indicated if cervical cancer is suspected. Normally this cancer becomes suspect if a woman has an abnormal PAP smear indicating that cancerous cells are potentially present, or if the woman has more than one PAP smear in a row that shows findings of unusual cells. Basically, this procedure takes a larger sample of cells from the mucus membrane inside the cervix wall to test more specifically for cervical cancer.

Endocervical curettage is usually done at the same time that women undergo a colposcopy. This is a way of visualizing the cervix and potentially taking tissue samples if there appears to be sections of abnormal tissue. When doctors feel curettage is indicated, they insert a small scooplike or spoonlike instrument (curette) into the cervix in order to perform this test. It scrapes off a small amount of tissue in the cervix that is then sent to a pathology lab to be tested. Colposcopy can also involve taking tissue samples from outside the cervix if needed.

A spoonlike instrument is inserted into the cervix during an endocervical curettage test.
A spoonlike instrument is inserted into the cervix during an endocervical curettage test.

Biopsy or scraping of cervical tissue is not completely without discomfort. What is helpful to know is that discomfort is not severe for most people, and endocervical curettage and exterior tissue biopsy tend to be very brief. While it is occurring it can feel a bit like a menstrual cramp and some women do feel a little sore or have minor cramps after they’ve had an ECC. This feeling usually passes within a day or two and may not require any type of special care.

Some women may experience menstrual cramping following endocervical curettage.
Some women may experience menstrual cramping following endocervical curettage.

Doctors may advise some women to take a pain reliever like acetaminophen before the procedure to reduce any discomfort, and they may further reduce discomfort if they use a local anesthetic prior to performing insertion of the curette and removal of tissue samples with it. Although an anesthetic may reduce pain, it does nothing to end one of the most symptoms that might occur after endocervical curettage, which is some spotting or bleeding that usually ceases within a few days.

Pain medications may help relieve discomfort during an endocervical curettage test.
Pain medications may help relieve discomfort during an endocervical curettage test.

Endocervical curettage is only one potential test that can be performed if cervical cancer is confirmed or likely. Doctors may need to take biopsies from other areas to determine cancer spread. They may also use a variety of visualizing techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) x-rays or CAT (computerized axial tomography) scans to look for presence of abnormal masses in different parts of the body. These tests may be performed because it is important to make certain that any cancerous cells in the body are addressed and removed if/when possible.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

anon966166

I had this done as well. My doctor advised me I might see pieces of the stuff they use to stop bleeding or "bandaid" the areas. I had small pieces of gray / brown come out for a few days after, and was told it was what they used to stop or reduce any bleeding. Basically it's whatever they put in you to cover it up.

anon327145

Well I had the procedure done last Tuesday and I didn't experience cramping and yes, I got my period because it was time for it.

While doing my procedure, my doctor put some type of substance in me that was brown and she let me know that I would see some brownish substance when I went to the bathroom indicating that I was healing. My period is over today and I'm doing fine. I was worried. I cried before the procedure was actually done, but once I got started, I realized it didn't hurt like I thought it would.

anon123505

Also had this done last Thursday and on Saturday had a similar experience with a medium piece of skin just plopping out while I was taking a wee. Also had some serious bleeding and pain on Sunday night. Things seem back to normal now about, which is Tuesday. Sorry no help on the above question.

anon106467

I had this done last Thursday and it has been six days. I had no bleeding but today I pulled out what looked like to be a big piece of skin. It was about four inches long and two inches wide. What in the heck is this? Is this normal?

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    • A spoonlike instrument is inserted into the cervix during an endocervical curettage test.
      By: blueringmedia
      A spoonlike instrument is inserted into the cervix during an endocervical curettage test.
    • Some women may experience menstrual cramping following endocervical curettage.
      By: totti
      Some women may experience menstrual cramping following endocervical curettage.
    • Pain medications may help relieve discomfort during an endocervical curettage test.
      By: neomidavid
      Pain medications may help relieve discomfort during an endocervical curettage test.
    • During an endocervical curettage, a curette is used to scrape tissue sample from the endocervical canal.
      By: iPics
      During an endocervical curettage, a curette is used to scrape tissue sample from the endocervical canal.
    • The tissue retrieved during an endocervical curettage is sent to a lab for testing.
      By: DragonImages
      The tissue retrieved during an endocervical curettage is sent to a lab for testing.