What Can Be Found in an Endometrial Biopsy?
Endometrial biopsy is a gynecological procedure that involves extracting a small sample of endometrial tissue for analysis. It is used to evaluate the health of the tissue, to identify possible abnormalities, and to assist in clinical diagnosis.
What Is it Used for?
The main uses of endometrial biopsy are:
- Assessment of Endometrial Receptivity: To determine the optimal period when the endometrium is ready for embryo implantation, known as the implantation window.
- Evaluation of the Menstrual Cycle and Hormonal Response.
- Detection of Uterine infections: Persistent infections in the uterus can cause endometritis, i.e., inflammation or irritation of the tissue. Moreover, evaluation of the endometrial microbiome is increasingly important to detect imbalances that may affect both implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy.
- Diagnosis of Hormonal Disorders that influence the development and maturation of the endometrium.
- Detection of Endometrial Atrophy: An excessively thin endometrium can hinder implantation.
- Identification of Lesions: It is used to detect the presence of polyps, fibroids, and premalignant or cancerous lesions.
How is the Endometrial Biopsy Performed?
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, usually in a gynecological consultation. A thin catheter is inserted through the cervix to reach the endometrium. A representative tissue sample is then collected by suction or scraping and sent to the laboratory for histological and microbiological analysis.
Although the procedure may cause mild discomfort or cramps similar to menstruation, it is a safe technique that allows most patients to resume their activities straightforward..
When is an Endometrial Biopsy Indicated?
The clinical indications for performing an endometrial biopsy include:
- Repeated implantation failures in IVF cycles.
- Abnormal or irregular uterine bleeding, to rule out conditions such as hyperplasia or endometrial cancer.
- Suspected chronic endometritis, when there is clinical evidence of a persistent infection that could be affecting endometrial quality.
The endometrial biopsy is the basis for other specialized tests such as:
- ERA Test (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis) which determines the optimal implantation window through gene expression analysis.
- EMMA Test (Endometrial Microbiome Metagenomic Analysis) which assesses the endometrial microbiome by analyzing the bacterial balance of the tissue.
- ALICE Test (Analysis of Infectious Chronic Endometritis) for detecting chronic infections.