EVALUATION OF OVARIAN-FUNCTION AFTER TUBAL-STERILIZATION

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (7) , 376-384
Abstract
Many women appear to experience menstrual disturbances after tubal sterilization. The ovarian function in such women was investigated. Serial measurements of FSH, LH [luteinizing hormone], estradiol and progesterone were performed throughout the study cycle in 23 previously sterilized patients, 14 with menstrual disturbances (group I.sbd.symptomatic) and 9 with normal cycles (group II.sbd.asymptomatic). A group of 28 parous women served as controls. Among 23 patients, luteal phase progesterone was elevated in 19, and in 4 it was undetectable (anovulatory). All 4 anovulatory patients belonged to group I. Anovulatory cycles were also characterized by tonic elevated LH levels. Mean midluteal progesterone values were lower in group I (8.5 ng/ml) than in group II (13.8 ng/ml) and in the controls (16.5 ng/ml). Mean midluteal progesterone was lower than 10 ng/ml in 78% of group I, 44% of group II and 15% of the control patients. Anovulation or poor progesterone production by the ovary may be responsible for the menstrual disorders occurring in some sterilized women.