Is diagnostic curettage harmful in women with unexplained infertility?

Abstract

Summary. Diagnostic curettage as part of the investigation of the woman with unexplained infertility has not been considered a hazardous procedure. Two similar groups with unexplained primary infertility were examined laparoscopically: 53 patients had undergone diagnostic curettage as part of the investigation; 142 had not. None had an antecedent history suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease. The incidence of laparoscopically detected chronic pelvic inflammatory changes in both groups was compared and was found to be 50.9 and 13.4% respectively (P<0.001). It was concluded that diagnostic curettage may be more hazardous in women with unexplained infertility than was believed previously.