Luteal function declines after laparoscopic sterilization by Hulka or Filshie clips

We evaluated the influence of laparoscopic sterilization by Hulka or Fishie clips on corpus luteum function. Changes in corpus luteum function were ev aluated in 46 women, before and after sterilization by Hulka (n = 22) or Fi lshie clips (n = 24). The mean age of the participants was 37 years (range 31-43 years). All women were healthy with regular menstrual cycles. Serum p rogesterone (P) was measured in one cycle before, and 3 and 12 months after the sterilization on cycle: day 20-24. Endometrial biopsies were performed in the luteal phase before and one year after the procedure. The women mea sured the basal body temperature daily and kept a menstrual diary. The lute al phase P concentrations declined after the sterilization and the values w ere at the lowest level 3 months after the procedure (27.9 +/- 14.3 nmol/L vs. 18.7 +/- 13.4 nmo/L, = 0.0016). The values seemed to have recovered by 12 months (23.0 +/- 14.0 nmol/L, = 0.114 vs. baseline). Endometrium tended to be out-of-phase more frequently 1 year after the sterilization than befo re the surgery (= 0.065). Laparoscopic tubal sterilization is associated wi th an increased risk of luteal phase deficiency. However, the change may be only temporary in nature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserv ed.