Fertility Specialists Can Skip Routine Hysteroscopy Prior to IVF Treatment

Hysteroscopy has low clinical utility before an IVF cycle if ultrasound imaging has demonstrated a normal uterine cavity.

Successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment requires a high-quality embryo and a uterine cavity capable of providing optimal support to the developing embryo. Many fertility specialists require an assessment of the uterine cavity before IVF treatment to determine the presence of uterine anomalies, submucous leiomyomata, and endometrial polyps — all of which are thought to reduce the chances of pregnancy. Two trials show that, if transvaginal ultrasound imaging demonstrates a normal uterine cavity, diagnostic hysteroscopy has little utility prior to initiating IVF treatment.

In a Dutch trial, 750 women who were undergoing their first IVF procedure and who had a normal transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus were randomized to hysteroscopy…

Reviewing Author

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Fertility Specialists Can Skip Routine Hysteroscopy Prior to IVF Treatment

Topics

Reviewing Author