Hysteroscopy: an alternative to dilatation and curettage in the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding

Data were collected prospectively on 100 women suffering from postmenopausal bleeding who were investigated by hysteroscopy in a 5-month period. Women using hormone replacement therapy were excluded. The most common hysteroscopic finding was atrophy (44%). Other findings were: endometrial cysts (13%), endometrial polyp (12%)and adenocarcinoma(6%). The sample was not representative in 41% of cases and the most frequent histopathological diagnosis was inactive endometrium (14%). Other diagnoses were: inactive endometrium (14%), adenocarcinoma (6%), hyperplasia (7%), endometrial polyp (3%), proliferation (5%) and atrophy (4%), Endometrial sampling was not performed in 13%of the cases. General anaesthesia was not needed and complications were minimal. We support hysteroscopy as a routine alternative to dilatation and curretage in the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding.