Hormonal profile of the menstrual cycle in Chinese women after tubal sterilization

Abstract

Ten women after tubal sterilization were studied for the hormonal profile of the menstrual cycle. They had undergone sterilization procedures, on the average 5.3 years (range 1.5-10 years) earlier. The serum concentrations of LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone were measured by RIA in daily blood samples of a complete menstrual cycle. Another ten normal women were studied at the same time and were used as the control group. There were no significant differences in the hormonal patterns of the menstrual cycle between the two groups. There was a significantly lower LH level in the early luteal phase of the tubal ligation group compared to the control group. Also, a significantly lower E2 luteal peak compared to the preovulatory peak was observed in the tubal ligation group. The physiological significance of these minor changes is not clear. Only one out of ten women in the tubal ligation group, who had undergone sterilization 1.5 years prior, showed a deficiency in luteal function, but her ovulatory function and menstrual cycle appeared normal. This study indicates that normal hormonal profiles are retained after tubal sterilization.

PIP: 10 women were studied poststerilization for the hormonal profile of the menstrual cycle. They had undergone the procedures on an average of 5.3 years earlier (range 1.5-10 years). The serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in daily blood samples of a complete menstrual cycle. Another 10 normal women were studied at the same time and were used as a control group. There were no significant differences in the hormonal patterns of the menstrual cycle between the 2 groups. There were significantly lower LH levels in the early luteal phase of the tubal ligation group as compared to the controls. Also, a significantly lower E2 luteal peak compared to the preovulatory peak was observed in the tubal ligation group. The physiological significance of these minor changes is not clear. Only 1 of 10 women in the tubal ligation group who had undergone sterilization 1.5 years earlier showed a deficiency in luteal function however, her ovulatory function and menstrual cycle appeared normal. This study indicates that normal hormonal profiles are retained after tubal sterilization.