The curettage uterus is a gynecological procedure whereby the walls are scraped from the uterus and part of the endometrium is extracted. This is a relatively simple and fast-paced procedure. The reasons why a curettage can be performed are multiple, although most are usually done to perform an abortion or to clean the uterine cavity after a miscarriage. However, there are other reasons such as removing polyps or taking a sample tissue.
Women who undergo this operation may have many doubts about it, for example, if it is possible to have intercourse after a curettage or if I can get pregnant after a curettage . That is why from FastlyHealwe want to explain in detail everything that happens in your body after curettage and the consequences it has on your body in order to be able to conceive in the future.
Table of Contents
What is a uterine curettage?
To remove polyps, take a tissue sample and, above all, after a natural abortion, it is necessary to perform a uterine curettage to clean the cavity. Considering that a miscarriage can be a difficult experience for someone who wants to have a child, it is normal for some doubts and fears to appear regarding the future of their reproductive health. But before answering the connection between curettage and pregnancy, it is necessary that you know what this intervention consists of.
In a curettage, a curette (or curette) is used to scrape out uterine tissue . It is a minor procedure that, with local or general anesthesia, can be carried out both in clinics and hospitals.
To do this, the vaginal canal is opened with an instrument called a speculum. This channel is later widened with a rod creating enough space to be able to scrape the endometrium , the superficial layer inside the uterus.
As we have said, curettage can be due to different reasons. However, when it is done to extract the tissues that have remained after a natural abortion, it is only recommended in those cases in which the abortion has occurred in the first weeks of gestation. Otherwise, some tissue remains could be lodged inside the woman, being a source of infections and dangerous complications.
Consequences of a curettage and recovery
As we have said before, a curettage is not a complicated operation, so there are not many risks either. Obviously there is no zero risk, since any procedure involves a minimum of complications. In this case, these are due to possible adverse reactions or respiratory alterations caused by anesthesia and other infrequent complications such as:
- Puncture of the uterus
- Tear of the cervix
- Scarring of the uterine lining.
Recovery after curettage is equally fast, in fact, a marked recovery time is not stipulated, but when the woman is in conditions she can resume her daily activities, in many cases, the same day of the intervention. In the hours and days after, the woman may notice :
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal and pelvic pain
- Colic
- Back pain
Among the measures that can be carried out, we highlight the use of painkillers, with which you can cope, and some recommendations for recovery such as refraining from intercourse for the first 2 weeks and avoiding using tampons for the same time.
Curettage and new pregnancy
When you have had a miscarriage, it is normal to worry about whether it will be possible to get pregnant again, if it is less likely, or if it will cost more. The reality is that a clear and forceful answer cannot be given, like any aspect related to pregnancy that will depend on the state of health, what has caused the abortion, how the recovery has gone after the curettage and if the woman have returned to normal menstrual cycles. Beyond that, what we can do is give a series of explanations and advice on getting pregnant after a curettage :
- Wait 3 months before trying a pregnancy again.
- Before seeking pregnancy, it is necessary for the woman to have menstruation again and to have completed 2 full cycles without complications.
- The curettage wounds must have healed, something that the gynecologist must evaluate, otherwise it could lead to an infection.
With this in mind, we can talk about pregnancy after curettage and how it should be done.
Probability of pregnancy after curettage
As you have just seen a pregnancy after curettage without waiting, it cannot be done, it is necessary to allow time for the woman’s body to return to a state of normality. But beyond the physical there are other aspects that must be taken into account, and it is that it is normal for a woman to need to take things slowly before being ready to conceive again. Abortion can be a traumatic experience and there may be fear of going through the same thing again. That is why she must be calm and feel prepared .
The chances of pregnancy after a curettage are the same as for any other woman of the same age. This is the case as long as what has caused the pregnancy is a chromosomal abnormality, like 70% of cases, and it is not a problem of the mother such as uncontrolled diabetes or some thyroid disease.
Fear or stress on the mother’s body at the possibility of having an abortion again can be a trigger for this to happen. That is why it is so important that the expectant mother remains calm and does not think about something that does not have to happen. As we have just said, 70% of spontaneous abortions, which are painful to give in the first trimester, have a chromosomal origin, however, there are certain factors in which the mother intervenes that increase the chances of it occurring:
- If the woman is over 35 years old.
- If the woman drinks alcohol.
- If the woman smokes or takes drugs.
- If you take pain relievers or common anti-inflammatories indiscriminately.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I get pregnant after a curettage? , we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.