Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is the occurrence of vaginal bleeding 12 months following a woman's last menstrual cycle. PMB represents one of the most common reasons for referral to gynaecology services. Approximately 10% of women with PMB will be found to have endometrial cancer. The gold standard of investigation of PMB is ambulatory gynaecology through the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic, which is often combined with Pipelle biopsy for endometrial sampling. Up to 60% of women that present with PMB will have an atrophic-appearing cavity at hysteroscopy. This provides a challenge in obtaining a histological sample through both dilatation \& curretage (D\&C) and Pipelle biopsy. Often, scant tissue that is insufficient for clinical diagnosis is obtained. Pipelle biopsy is associated with patient discomfort. It is also associated with costs related to the purchasing of equipment and the processing of samples in the laboratory to the sum of approximately 30 euro per sample. It is rare that a sample taken from an atrophic cavity will return any clinically meaningful result. A negative hysteroscopy reduces the probability of endometrial cancer to 0.6%. This study aims to compare patients with PMB and atrophic-appearing cavity that undergo pipelle biopsy to those that do not. Differences in pain scores, cost saving and differences in clinical follow up will be assessed to evaluate the benefit of Pipelle biopsy in patients with PMB and atrophic-appearing cavity.
Sex
FEMALE
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Pain scores
Timeframe: Immediately before procedure, less than 5 minutes prior to starting hysteroscopy
Pain scores
Timeframe: Immediately after procedure, within 1 minute of finishing hysteroscopy
Pain scores
Timeframe: Immediately after intervention, within 1 minute of carrying out intervention