Is a D&C (dilation and curettage) painful, and how many minutes does it take?

Generally, "qing gong" refers to the Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure, which does involve a certain degree of pain. The duration of a D&C typically ranges from 10 minutes to 1 hour. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

During the procedure, cervical dilation or the use of instruments to scrape tissue from the uterine cavity may trigger uterine contractions, causing lower abdominal pain. The intensity of this pain is similar to severe menstrual cramps, which is why a D&C can be painful. For patients who are sensitive to pain or fearful of discomfort, a painless D&C option is available. A painless D&C is usually performed under local or general anesthesia to reduce pain.

If the D&C is performed due to incomplete medical or surgical abortion with minimal remaining tissue, the procedure typically takes a short time, usually around 10 minutes. However, if the D&C is required following a later-term induced labor, postpartum placental or membrane retention, or in cases of special circumstances such as abnormal uterine position or intrauterine adhesions, the procedure may take longer, approximately 30 minutes or more.

To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure, it is recommended to fully understand the process and precautions before surgery and to undergo the procedure under a doctor's guidance.