Endometrial sampling techniques for the office

Although the number of dilatation and curettage procedures has declined since the 1970s, about 600,000 were performed in U.S. hospitals during 1984. Many of these procedures could have been avoided with outpatient endometrial sampling. Newer sampling devices are disposable, and some are well tolerated without analgesia. Indications for endometrial sampling include menstrual irregularities in women over age 40, risk factors for endometrial carcinoma and persistent abnormal bleeding.