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The Effect of the Valsalva Maneuver in Endometrial Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effect of the Valsalva Maneuver on Pain and Procedure Success in Endometrial Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07496905
Enrollment
120
Registered
2026-03-27
Start date
2025-01-01
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2026-03-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain in Endometrial Biopsy, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Keywords

endometrial biopsy, valsalva maneuver, Pain

Brief summary

Endometrial sampling with a pipelle is a common procedure used to collect a small sample from the lining of the uterus. During the procedure, the cervix is sometimes held with a surgical instrument called a tenaculum, which may cause pain and anxiety for some women. The Valsalva maneuver is a simple technique in which a person takes a deep breath and pushes as if trying to exhale forcefully. This increases pressure inside the abdomen and may help keep the uterus and cervix more stable during the procedure. This study aims to compare pipelle sampling performed with the Valsalva maneuver to the standard method using a tenaculum. The study will evaluate whether the Valsalva maneuver can reduce pain and anxiety while maintaining procedure success and improving patient satisfaction.

Detailed description

Endometrial sampling using a pipelle device is a widely used, minimally invasive procedure for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding and other endometrial pathologies. In the conventional technique, cervical traction with a tenaculum is often used to stabilize the cervix and facilitate insertion of the pipelle catheter. However, the use of a tenaculum may increase procedure-related pain and anxiety. The Valsalva maneuver increases intra-abdominal pressure and may provide temporary stabilization of the uterus and cervix. This physiological effect may facilitate pipelle insertion without the need for cervical traction. Eliminating the use of a tenaculum may reduce patient discomfort and anxiety during the procedure. This study is designed to compare pipelle endometrial sampling performed with the Valsalva maneuver and the conventional method using a tenaculum. The primary objectives are to evaluate pain perception during the procedure and procedure success. Secondary outcomes include patient anxiety and overall patient satisfaction.

Interventions

PROCEDUREendometrial biopsy

Endometrial sampling performed using a pipelle cannula.

PROCEDURETenaculum Application

Application of a tenaculum to the cervix to stabilize it during endometrial biopsy.

Patients perform the Valsalva maneuver during endometrial biopsy to reduce perceived pain.

Sponsors

Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

-Endometrial sampling indication in reproductive age group of patients over 18 years of age, who can communicate in Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients under 18 years of age - postmenopausal * Pregnancy * Patients with known stenotic cervical os * Patients with a history of acute cervicitis; * Patients with intense anxiety; * Need for simultaneous endocervical curettage; * Need for general or local anesthesia * Having used analgesic medication before the procedure; * History of a known malignancy, uterine anomaly, or leiomyoma affecting the cervical canal or uterine cavity, or uterine prolapse; * Patients with known chronic plevic pain

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Visual Analog Scale(VAS) scoresBaseline, immediately before the procedure, intra-procedural, and 15 minutes post-procedurePain will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0 = no pain; 10 = worst imaginable pain). VAS scores will be recorded at four predefined time points: The primary endpoint will be the comparison of VAS pain scores between the two groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Procedure Success and Patient SatisfactionUp to 15 minutesOutcome Measure: Procedure satisfaction Post-procedure, procedure satisfaction will be evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very difficult; 5 = very easy). All obtained endometrial samples will be assessed for adequacy and histopathological diagnosis. Procedural failure will be defined as the inability to access the uterine cavity with the Pipelle cannula without cervical dilatation after three attempts.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTNeslihan Doctor
neslihanoztopuz@gmail.com00905334215976

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 28, 2026