• Infertility Overview
• Male Infertility
• Women Infertility
• Infertility Causes
• Infertility Symptoms
• Infertility Prevention
• Infertility Treatment
• Dealing with Infertility
• Infertility Articles

Endometrial Biopsy And Infertility

An endometrial biopsy is a medical procedure which is performed during the second half of the menstrual cycle which is otherwise known as the luteal phase. Sometimes the uterine lining may not have developed properly and that is why a fertilized egg is not able to lodge itself inside the uterus and it gets discarded soon after. This condition is known as a luteal phase defect. This is a condition when the lining in the uterus is unable to respond the hormone known as progesterone which has been produced by the ovary.

This test is normally conducted around 2 days before the menstrual bleeding begins every month if it is possible to determine the exact date. Otherwise this can be performed around 10-12 days after ovulation has taken place. An appointment should be scheduled with the doctor once your ovulation begins. Your ovulation period can be identified by monitoring your basal body temperature (BBT) regularly or by making use of a urinary LH kit. Help from a nurse can be sought if any help is needed in this regard.

The biopsy will not interfere with any pregnancy which is likely to occur during this time. The patient can make use of barrier conception or simply refrain from sexual intercourse from day 8- day 18 of the monthly cycle. If the patient does not refrain from sexual intercourse then a blood pregnancy test will have to be done before the biopsy takes place. This test will have to be conducted so that you can get the results before the biopsy. If you feel that the BBT chart will not tell you the exact time of ovulation, then you can make use of a urinary LH kit which can be obtained from any pharmacy. Patients who are not allergic to aspirin should take two ibuprofen tablets of 400mg each just before the biopsy is performed. Sometimes the physician performing the procedure might suggest that a local anesthetic should be used. This procedure has to be performed when the uterus is experiencing some temporary cramps. The patient undergoing the procedure will be completely normal and she can drive home on her own once the procedure has been completed.

This is a very low risk procedure. Uterine perforation, pelvic infection and bleeding from the uterus are the three possible side effects of this procedure. A doctor should be called immediately if the patient experiences any kind of pain, fever or severe bleeding.