Publication:

Laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool in evaluation of female factors in infertility

Background Infertility leads to considerable personal suffering and disruption of family life. According to United Nations "Reproductive health is a state of complete physical mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes". The objective of present study was to find out different causes of female infertility with diagnostic laparoscopy and their comparative frequency in primary and secondary infertility.

Methods It is a prospective study conducted on all infertile women and they underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for primary and secondary infertility during the study period. Couples who had not lived together for at least 12 months, and those with male factor infertility were excluded. Data were collected on a proforma, and analyzed on SPSS package for windows version 10. Frequencies were calculated for laparoscopic findings regarding primary and secondary infertility.

Results Fifty infertile women underwent laparoscopy during the study period, 35 (70%) had primary infertility while 15 (30%) secondary infertility. 10 (28.5%) patients with primary and 3 (20%) patients with secondary infertility had no visible abnormality. The common finding was tubal blockage in 10 (28.5%) and 5 (33.3%) cases of primary and secondary infertility respectively. 9 (25.7%) cases of primary infertility were detected as polycystic ovaries (PCO) and 2 (13.3%) in cases of secondary infertility. Endometriosis was found in 1 case with primary infertility and 2 (13.3%) cases with secondary infertility. Fibroid was found in 3 (8.57%) and 1 (6.6%) cases of primary and secondary infertility respectively.

Conclusions Most common causes responsible for infertility were tubal occlusion and polycystic ovary. Infertile couple should be thoroughly investigated. Laparoscopy in infertility can be used for a definitive diagnosis.