One hundred and forty-nine patients presenting with infertility underwent two hundred and ten endometrial biopsies as part of a routine infertility evaluation. The initial biopsy was out of phase in 44 (29.5%), confirmed by subsequent biopsy to yield a total of 28 (19%) patients with luteal phase inadequacy. Of 44 patients taking clomiphene citrate, 13 (29.5%) had out-of-phase biopsies. Although hyperprolactinemia, recurrent miscarriages, extremes of reproductive life, and clomiphene citrate administration have been associated with an increased incidence of the defect, in this series a predisposing cause could not be detected in approximately one-half of the patients. The routinely obtained endometrial biopsy provides a safe, reproducible, and adequate means of providing histologic evidence for normal endometrial development for subsequent implantation.
PMID 7353687 7353687 DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44530-9 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44530-9
Cite this article
Wentz, A. C. (1980). Endometrial biopsy in the evaluation of infertility. Fertility and sterility, 33(2), 121-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44530-9
Wentz AC. Endometrial biopsy in the evaluation of infertility. Fertil Steril. 1980;33(2):121-124. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44530-9
Wentz, A. C. "Endometrial biopsy in the evaluation of infertility." Fertility and sterility, vol. 33, no. 2, 1980, pp. 121-124.
Sahmay S et al., 1995·Int J Fertil Menopausal Stud
Endometrial biopsy has been an important way of assessing infertile couples for several years. In this review of a wide-ranging series of endometrial biopsies of infertile couples in the Turkish population it was our aim to find the distribution of results according to the years 1956-1966, 1967-1980, 1981-1992. University hospital. 12,949 endometrial biopsies, referred to our gynecological pathology laboratory for infertility investigation between 1956 and 1992. Patient report files from pathology laboratory data, analyzed retrospectively. The assessment of the biopsies is made by the same pathologist. 78.8% of cases had primary infertility, 21.2% secondary. Most of them were in the age group 26-35 years (48.8%). 37.58% of cases were found to show normal secretory endometrium, 20.95% proliferative endometrial changes, and 28.22% signs of luteal phase defect (LPD). Other local endometrial factors were also encountered, but in 1.79% the sample was considered insufficient for diagnosis. Moreover, in nine cases, malignancy was diagnosed with the help of endometrial biopsy. During the study period, cases of normal secretory endometrium and tuberculous endometritis were observed to decrease and LPD to increase significantly. It is worthy to note that in only 28 (0.21%) cases had endometrial biopsies been performed during a pregnancy cycle. We conclude that endometrial biopsy not only shows the hormonal response of endometrium but gives additional information about the local factors of endometrium concerning atrophy, specific and non-specific infections, and malignancy.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Practice Committee of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, 2026·Fertility and sterility
Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) is a clinical diagnosis associated with abnormal luteal phase length of ≤10 days. Potential etiologies of LPD include inadequate progesterone duration, inadequate progesterone levels, or endometrial progesterone resistance. Luteal phase deficiency has been described in association with medical conditions, but also in fertile, normally menstruating women. Although progesterone is important for the process of implantation and early embryonic development, LPD has not been proven to be an independent entity causing infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss. Controversy exists regarding the multiple proposed measures for diagnosing LPD, and assuming it can be diagnosed accurately, whether treatment improves outcomes. This document replaces the document of the same name, last published in 2021 (Fertil Steril 2021;115(6):1416-23).
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2026·Fertility and Sterility
Current strategies for the assessment and treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss are discussed. This replaces the previous document, titled, "Evaluation and treatment a committee opinion," last published in 2012.
This narrative review examines the evidence for medical optimization of inflammatory conditions, vitamin deficiencies, endocrine disorders, immune dysregulation, oligo-ovulation, and luteal phase factors to improve fertility outcomes in women attempting to conceive through natural or timed intercourse. Overall, there is a paucity of data with respect to these categories among patients pursuing timed intercourse, precluding our ability to draw strong recommendations. However, there is strong evidence supporting treatment of endocrine disorders, specifically overt thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia, as well as oligo-ovulation. Conversely, treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is not recommended. The current data are insufficient to support empiric use of antiinflammatory medications, corticosteroids, thyroid hormones, or vitamins or supplements to improve chances of pregnancy in a general infertility population.