Hello,
Dilation and curettage is a procedure to remove tissue for the inside of the
uterus. It is alos called a D and C or D&C.
After a D and C, your doctor will watch you for a while to make sure you dont have any problems. This might take up to few hours. When you able to go home from the hospital. Your doctor should tell you when you can do your usual activities again. He or she will also tell you when you can have sex and put things, such as tampons, in your vagina. Most women get their monthly period within 4 to 6 weeks after a D&C.
The most common side effects are mild cramping and slight bleeding from the vagina (called spotting). These can last for a few days. If you have pain, you can take a pain, you can take a pain reliever. Other sied effects are not as common but can occur after a D &C such as a tear in the uterus,
injury to the
cervix, infection, scar tissue that form in the uterus.
Care after D&C at home. You should be able to resume your regular activities within a day or two . Mild cramping and spotting may occur for a few hours or days, cramping can be treated with nonsteroidal anti inflammatry medications such as ibuprofen( Advil,
Motrin). You should not put anything inside the vagina ( tampons, douches) during this time and should ask when you can safely have sexual intercourse(usually avoid intercourse for 2 weeks)because the dilated cervix needs a chance to shrink back to normal size. Until this time, bacteria can easily get into the uterus and cause infection. Your next menstrual period usually occurs within four to six weeks of the procedure, depending on the reason why the D&C was performed.
See your doctor if you have any of the problem after your D&C including Fever higher than 38C, Cramps that last more than 2 days, pain that gets worse,
heavy vaginal bleeding, or vaginal bleeding that lasts more than 2 weeks,
vaginal discharge that is green or smells bad. Be sure to return for the follow up visit with the doctor. at this time your doctor can discuss all lab reports on your tissue samples. The doctor will also want to examine you for any signs of infection and to make sure your cervix has returned to normal size.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist your further.
Kind regards,
Dr Heang Chan Raksmey, General and Family Physician