Hysteroscopy in a program of in vitro fertilization

Two hundred twenty-four women underwent hysteroscopic evaluation without anesthesia after at least two failed attempts of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. One hundred fifty-three (68%) women were diagnosed as having mechanical infertility, and abnormal hysteroscopic findings were observed in 32 (21%). Forty-one women were diagnosed as having unexplained infertility (18%) and six (15%) had abnormal findings with hysteroscopy. Of the 30 couples who entered the in vitro fertilization regimen program because of male infertility, 4 (13%) had abnormal findings. The overall rate of abnormal findings was 19%; cervical canal and intrauterine abnormalities were found in 10 and 32 patients, respectively. Ten patients were treated during hysteroscopic evaluation procedure, and four patients subsequently underwent operative hysteroscopy under general anesthesia. We suggest that diagnostic hysteroscopy should be a routine procedure before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer therapy.