Dilation & Curettage (D & C)

Dilation and curettage, often called D & C, is a same-day surgical procedure that removes tissue from a woman’s uterus (womb). The name refers to the dilation of the cervix, into which a thin instrument called a curette is inserted. A gynecologist uses the curette to clean out tissue from the uterus.

D & C is often performed after a miscarriage or childbirth. It may also be performed in women with heavy bleeding (defined as soaking a tampon or a pad every two hours or less OR periods that last longer than eight days) to rule out uterine cancer or endometrial growths. A D & C may also be performed in conjunction with a hysteroscopy.