Endometrial biopsy findings in infertile patients

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the etiopathological factors in infertile patients, detectable on endometrial biopsy. A total number of 100 endometrial biopsies were studied which were obtained from the patients undergoing investigations for infertility over a period of two years from Jan 2003 - Dec 2004, at Histopathology department Combined Military Hospital Sialkot, to find out the cause of infertility in these cases. All these patients were in fertile age group and were between 25 - 35 years of age. All of these biopsies were taken in premenstrual phase. The most common finding was late secretory endometrium [40%] which was consistent with the phase at which the biopsy was taken. Proliferative endometrium indicating anovulatory cycles was noted in 25% cases. Among the pathological findings, the most common was chronic non specific endometritis [15%] followed by endometrial hyperplasia [8%], chronic granulomatous endometritis of tuberculous etiology [5%] and endometrial polyp [3%]. 4% of the biopsies showed mid secretory endometrium which was also out of phase for the time at which biopsy was taken. Although endometrial biopsy is not the only diagnostic tool in women having infertility, however the confirmation of hormonal changes consistent with ovulation can be very helpful in management of these patients. The presence of out of phase endometrium and other endometrial patterns may direct the physician toward appropriate therapy. In addition, the therapy can be directed according to a specific etiology, if detected