Open AccessDoes tenaculum application to the cervix during intrauterine insemination affect pregnancy rates?
Author(s) -
BALCI OSMAN,
ACAR ALI,
COLAKOGLU MEHMET CENGIZ
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340903118000
Subject(s) - medicine , cervix , gynecology , pregnancy , obstetrics , artificial insemination , uterine contraction , pregnancy rate , intrauterine insemination , uterine cavity , uterus , cancer , genetics , biology
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) consists of sperm cell extraction from seminal plasma and artificial transfer into the uterine cavity. We investigated whether tenaculum application to the cervix during IUI affects pregnancy rates. A prospective study was done on 468 primary infertile women. Recombinant follicle stimulating hormone was used in ovulation induction. The women were divided randomly into Group 1 ( n = 236) and Group 2 ( n = 232) without and with tenaculum application to the cervix, respectively. After IUI, a five‐minute sagittal plane uterine ultrasound scan was done in all cases. Uterine contraction was recorded. The women were evaluated for pregnancy rates. Uterine contraction was significantly higher in Group 2 ( p <0.001). In all, 24 patients in Group 1 (10.7%) and 38 in Group 2 (17.6%) achieved pregnancy (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.03–3.08; p = 0.038). Tenaculum application to the cervix increases immediate uterine contraction, but higher pregnancy rates may be obtained.