Effect of endometrial scratching on unassisted conception for unexplained infertility: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether endometrial scratching increases the chance of live birth in women with unexplained infertility attempting to conceive without assisted reproductive technology.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, participant-blind, multicenter international trial.

Setting: Fertility clinics.

Patient(s): Women with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility trying to conceive without assistance.

Intervention(s): Participants were randomly assigned to receive an endometrial biopsy or a placebo procedure (placement of a biopsy catheter in the posterior fornix, without inserting it into the external cervical os). Both groups performed regular unprotected intercourse with the intention of conceiving over three consecutive study cycles.

Main outcome measure(s): The primary outcome was live birth.

Result(s): A total of 220 women underwent randomization. The live birth rate was 9% (10 of 113 women) in the endometrial-scratch group and 7% (7 of 107 women) in the control group (adjusted OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.50-4.03). There were no differences between the groups in the secondary outcomes of clinical pregnancy, viable pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and miscarriage. Endometrial scratching was associated with a higher pain score on a 10-point scale (adjusted mean difference, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.53-3.60).

Conclusion(s): This trial did not find evidence that endometrial scratching improves the live birth rate in women with unexplained infertility trying to conceive without assistance.

Clinical trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12614000656639.

Keywords: Unexplained infertility; endometrial scratching; intercourse; live birth.