Authors: Avraham Ben-Chetrit¹; Talia Eldar-Geva²; Tzina Lindenberg³; Morshed Farhat¹; Shlomo Shimonovitz¹; David Zacut¹; Hadassa Gelber³; Regine Sitruk-Ware⁴; Irving M. Spitz³

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 19, Number 10, October 2004 , pp. 2372-2376(5)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Many techniques have been developed to soften the cervix to reduce complications following surgical dilatation. Progesterone inhibits myometrial contractility and its secretion during pregnancy ensures cervical competence. We used the progesterone antagonist mifepristone as a cervical ripening agent and evaluated its effect prior to office hysteroscopy. METHODS: Fifty-eight healthy non-pregnant women aged 18–50 were studied in a randomized double-blind study. They received mifepristone (200 mg) or placebo 30 h prior to hysteroscopy. A Hegar test was performed prior to drug administration and again before hysteroscopy. A visual analogue pain scale was used to assess pain. RESULTS: Medical history, physical examination and blood tests were similar in both groups, except for serum progesterone which was higher in the study group. Hegar measurement prior to drug ingestion was similar in both groups and after a mean time of 30.3 h increased in both groups. Neither the Hegar measurement nor the pain scale was different in the two groups. There was also no effect of the high progesterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike its dramatic effect in the pregnant uterus, mifepristone administered 30 h prior to hysteroscopy was not effective in ripening the cervix of non-pregnant women.

Keywords: mifepristone; office hysteroscopy; pain scale; RU-486

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh420

Affiliations: 1: Women's Health Center-Ramat Eshkol, 2: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and 3: Institute of Hormone Research, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel and 4: Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA

Publication date: 2004-10-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

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• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Obstetrics & Gynecology
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