Study of endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcome following induction of ovulation and intrauterine insemination in primary infertility
Objective: Infertility affects approximately 10–15% of couples. Assessment of the endometrium with ultrasound has become a standard procedure during the diagnostic workup and treatment of infertility. Our study was designed to investigate whether endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration is a predictor of intrauterine insemination (IUI) success as the primary outcome. Materials and Methods: In the prospective observational study, a serial transvaginal ultrasound scan was performed to measure endometrial thickness following ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate and IUI. One hundred and nine IUI cycles were chosen and the outcome was measured in terms of whether pregnancy occurred or not. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between the two groups with respect to mean endometrial thickness (mm). It was also seen significantly higher numbers of pregnancy in Group A (endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm). Conclusion: The present study identified a statistically significant difference in mean endometrial thickness between cycles that resulted in pregnancy and those did not. Consequently, clinicians providing IUI for infertile couples must pay close attention to endometrial development.