Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Endometrial Biopsy

Definition

Endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of the endometrium (tissue lining the inside of the uterus) is removed for microscopic examination.

Purpose

The test is most often performed to find out the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. Abnormal bleeding includes bleeding between menstrual periods, excessive bleeding during a menstrual period, or bleeding after menopause. Since abnormal uterine bleeding can indicate cancer, an endometrial biopsy is done to rule out endometrial cancer or hyperplasia (a potentially pre-cancerous condition).

Endometrial biopsies are also done as a screening test for endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women on