The value of endometrial biopsy in infertility.

A retrospective report of 3475 endometrial biopsies in infertile females is presented. Seventy percent were from cases with primary and 30% with secondary infertility. Biopsies were normalin 70% of cases. The remaining had proliferative endometrium (11.5%), chronic endometritis (12%), endometrial hyperplasia (3%), TB Endometritis (2.6%) and Cervical or Endometrial Polypi (0.9%). The procedure is useful in early diagnosis and management of these problems (JPMA 33: 304, 1983). Introduction Approximately 10% of married couples fail to achieve conception between puberty and the menopause. In about 25% of instances, the husband is responsible, but in our communities, the wife is always blamed and usually she is the one sent to consult a doctor. Premenstrual endometrial biopsy is amongst the many investigations done to ascertain the cause of infertility in females. Done correctly and at the appropriate time in the menstrual cycle, it gives valuable information regarding ovulation and the hormonal status. It is also the only reliable method of the diagnosis of genital tuberculosis. In this retrospective study the diagnostic yield of this investigation has been evaluated. Material and Methods Three thousand four hundred and seventy five endometrial biopsies received by the pathology department of Khyber Medical College between 1973-1977 were reviewed. All biopsies taken in the premenstrual period were preserved in 10% formalin and processed according to the standard laboratory techniques. Staining was done with eosin-haemotoxylin.