Topical analgesia for endometrial biopsy: a randomized controlled trial

To estimate whether benzocaine spray applied to the cervix and the endocervical canal before performing office endometrial biopsy improves patient comfort during the procedure.

Eighty-eight women were randomly assigned to receive either 20% benzocaine spray or placebo to the outside of the cervix and into the endocervical canal before an endometrial biopsy was performed. The main outcome measure was pain during the endometrial biopsy, assessed by a visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Student t test.

There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group in mean age, race, parity, body mass index, menopausal status, tenaculum use, or history of chronic pelvic pain. No statistically significant differences were found in median pain scores between the 2 treatment groups.

Topical benzocaine spray does not appear to offer effective pain control in patients undergoing an endometrial biopsy.

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