Introduction:
To describe the prevalence of HPV infection in cervical tissue specimens following dilation and curettage in postmenopausal women.

Material and Methods:
In this retrospective study we analyzed the overall rate of HPV infection in postmenopausal women found histologically during dilation and curettage (D&C). All surgeries have been performed in the same gynecological department of a Greek secondary hospital during a 10-year period. We recorded patients’ age and indication for D&C in all cases with histological sign of HPV infection.

Results:
A total number of 650 D&C’s were performed in postmenopausal women between 2012 and 2021. We found 105 cases with some histologic sign of HPV infection i.e. prevalence 16.15%. The mean age of patients with an incidental finding of HPV infection was 60 years; age range 47 to 89. Postmenopausal bleeding was the indication for D&C in 45.71% of patients with histological proof of HPV infection, in 29.53% D&C was performed due to thickened endometrium. Endometrial polyps and cervical polyps were indications for D&C, regarding patients with HPV infection found by pathologic examination, in 13.33% and 11.43% respectively. High-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) was incidentally found in 4 out of 105 patients.

Conclusions:
According to our data, 16.15% of postmenopausal women undergoing D&C in our institution had HPV infection. Corresponding studies from the existing literature, show similar or even higher rates of HPV infection during pathological examination of cervical specimens. Hence, clinicians should have a high level of suspicion for HPV infection also during menopause.