Can one endure a D&C procedure without anesthesia?

"Dilation and curettage" (D&C) usually refers to the surgical procedure of removing tissue from the uterine cavity. If the surgery is brief, technically straightforward, and the patient has a relatively high pain tolerance, undergoing D&C without anesthesia may be tolerable. However, if there are uterine abnormalities, low pain tolerance, or complications arise during the procedure, it generally becomes intolerable. Specific details are as follows:

1. Tolerable

When the gestational period is short and the embryo has not grown significantly, the uterine wall tends to be softer, making the procedure simpler and shorter. The duration and intensity of pain are therefore milder. Patients with higher pain tolerance and lower sensitivity to pain may endure the discomfort of D&C without anesthesia.

2. Intolerable

If conditions such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis are present, the procedure becomes more difficult and causes greater pain. Patients who are highly sensitive to pain or have poor pain tolerance may find the procedure unbearable and will likely require anesthesia. Additionally, if complications occur during surgery—such as uterine perforation or hemorrhage—the patient may experience severe pain. In such cases, performing the procedure without anesthesia would be extremely difficult for the patient to endure.

In clinical practice, patients should communicate fully with their doctors, taking into account individual pain tolerance, psychological status, and other factors, to jointly decide whether anesthesia is necessary. During the D&C procedure, if the pain becomes unbearable, the patient should promptly inform the medical team.