Hormonal profile of the menstrual cycle in Chinese women after tubal sterilization.

ABSTRACT

PIP: 10 women were studied poststerilization for the hormonal profile of the menstrual cycle. They had undergone the procedures on an average of 5.3 years earlier (range 1.5-10 years). The serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in daily blood samples of a complete menstrual cycle. Another 10 normal women were studied at the same time and were used as a control group. There were no significant differences in the hormonal patterns of the menstrual cycle between the 2 groups. There were significantly lower LH levels in the early luteal phase of the tubal ligation group as compared to the controls. Also, a significantly lower E2 luteal peak compared to the preovulatory peak was observed in the tubal ligation group. The physiological significance of these minor changes is not clear. Only 1 of 10 women in the tubal ligation group who had undergone sterilization 1.5 years earlier showed a deficiency in luteal function however, her ovulatory function and menstrual cycle appeared normal. This study indicates that normal hormonal profiles are retained after tubal sterilization.