The diagnostic scraping is performed to trace the origin of some menstrual disorders (eg menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, hypermenorrhea, excruciating menstrual pain) or to confirm / deny a suspicion of cervical cancer. The operative scraping is instead indicated to cut tumors, fibroids or uterine polyps and to voluntarily remove the product of an unwanted pregnancy (no later than the 13th week of gestation).
But what happens after the curettage? What are the risks and possible complications?
Let us try to clarify and give an exhaustive answer to the most recurring doubts that haunt many women after a curettage operation.
, vomiting and drowsiness: these three symptoms constitute the most recurrent side effects of general anesthesia.
Some women can go home on the day of surgery, while others have to stay in the hospital for a few days until they recover completely.
Back home, the woman must respect the rest. To prevent infections, your doctor may temporarily advise against the use of tampons and recommend abstention from sexual intercourse for about two weeks.
In the days following the curettage, it is strongly recommended that you seek immediate medical attention in the following cases:
- High fever
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Difficulty urinating
- Extreme weakness
- Throbbing cramps in the stomach
- Abdominal pain that progressively gets worse rather than better
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
operative involves fewer risks and complications than curettage. In fact, the aforementioned surgical procedure makes it possible to view the interior of the uterine canal by means of a micro-camera mounted on a hysteroscope, thus reproducing the anatomy of the uterus on a monitor.
The image reproduced on the screen acts as a guide for the doctor: by precisely identifying the abnormal mass to be removed, the risk of errors and of creating lesions to the uterus is lower.
Curettage can cause complications such as:
- Hemorrhages in the abdominal cavity
- Perforation of the uterus: constitutes the most dangerous complication of curettage. From medical statistics it is observed that only 1% of women undergo a perforation of the uterus after curettage.
- Formation of scar tissue on the uterine wall (or Asherman's Syndrome): constitutes a real complication after curettage. From what is reported in the scientific journal Human reproduction, it appears that the risk general of adhesions after scraping fluctuates between 14 and 16%. Women who undergo this surgery to remove the fruit of an unwanted conception instead develop Asherman's syndrome in 30.9% of cases. Asherman's syndrome should be treated with specific hormone therapy, useful for promoting the growth of healthy uterine tissue.
- Allergic reaction: before undergoing any surgery, the woman must declare any allergies - presumed or ascertained - to minimize the risk of adverse reactions to materials (eg nickel allergy, latex allergy) or drugs.
- Damage to the cervix (injuries, abrasions, haemorrhages)
- Infection: After the curettage, the woman may develop a "infection of the uterus" or salpingitis (infection of the fallopian tubes). However, this post-curettage complication is rare.
