D&C stands for dilation and curettage, a gynecological procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the uterus. The “D” refers to dilation, which is the gentle opening of the cervix, and the “C” refers to curettage, the removal or scraping of tissue from the uterine lining. It is one of the most common procedures in women’s health care, performed for reasons ranging from diagnosing abnormal bleeding to clearing tissue after a miscarriage.
What Each Part of the Name Means
The two steps in the name describe exactly what happens during the procedure. Dilation is the process of widening the cervix, the narrow opening at the bottom of the uterus. The cervix is normally only a few millimeters wide, so it needs to be gradually opened to allow instruments to pass through. This can be done with tapered rods that slowly stretch the opening, or with medication that softens the cervix beforehand.
Curettage is the removal of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus. This can be done with a thin, spoon-shaped instrument that gently scrapes the lining, or with a small suction device that draws tissue out. When suction is the primary method, the procedure is sometimes called a D&E (dilation and evacuation), though the terms are often used interchangeably in early pregnancy situations.
Why a D&C Is Performed
A D&C serves two broad purposes: diagnosis and treatment. On the diagnostic side, it allows a doctor to collect a tissue sample from inside the uterus and examine it under a microscope. This is particularly useful when someone has unexplained heavy or irregular bleeding, because the tissue sample can reveal whether cells are abnormal, which helps screen for conditions like endometrial hyperplasia or uterine cancer.
As a treatment, a D&C physically removes tissue from the uterus. The most common treatment reasons include:
- After a miscarriage: If pregnancy tissue hasn’t fully passed on its own, a D&C clears the remaining tissue to prevent infection or prolonged heavy bleeding.
- After childbirth: Occasionally, pieces of the placenta remain in the uterus after delivery, causing excessive bleeding. A D&C removes them.
- Molar pregnancy: In rare cases, a tumor forms in the uterus instead of a normal pregnancy. A D&C removes this abnormal growth.
- First-trimester abortion: A D&C is one method used to end an early pregnancy.
What to Expect During the Procedure
A D&C is typically a short outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. You may receive general anesthesia (where you’re fully asleep), sedation (where you’re relaxed and drowsy but not fully unconscious), or local anesthesia that numbs the cervix. The type depends on the reason for the procedure and your doctor’s recommendation.
Once the cervix is dilated, the doctor inserts a thin instrument through the opening and into the uterus. If the goal is diagnostic, only a small sample of tissue is collected. If the goal is treatment, more tissue is removed. The actual procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
Recovery and What Comes After
Most people return to normal activities within five days or fewer. Mild cramping and light spotting for a few days afterward are normal and expected. You should use pads rather than tampons during this time, because the cervix needs time to close back to its normal size. While it’s still slightly open, there’s a higher risk of bacteria entering and causing an infection.
Sexual activity is typically off-limits for about a week after the procedure, or until your doctor clears you. Beyond that, most people feel back to normal relatively quickly. If the D&C was done for diagnostic purposes, your doctor will follow up with results from the tissue analysis, which can take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the lab.
Risks Are Uncommon but Worth Knowing
A D&C is considered a low-risk procedure. Complication rates are generally in the range of 1 to 15 percent depending on the specific circumstances, and many of those complications are minor. The most common issue is retained tissue, meaning not all of the targeted tissue was removed and a follow-up procedure may be needed. Less common risks include heavy bleeding, infection, or a small tear in the uterine wall (called perforation), which usually heals on its own. In rare cases, repeated D&Cs can lead to scar tissue forming inside the uterus, a condition known as Asherman’s syndrome, which can affect future periods and fertility.
D&C vs. D&E
You may see the term D&E used alongside or instead of D&C. A D&E (dilation and evacuation) relies primarily on suction to remove uterine contents, and it’s the term more commonly used for procedures later in pregnancy or when larger amounts of tissue need to be removed. In practice, many D&C procedures also use suction, which blurs the line between the two. For first-trimester miscarriages or early diagnostic procedures, the terms are often used interchangeably.