Association between internal cervical os stenosis and other female infertility risk factors

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical factor infertility accounts for approximately 5% of all female infertility risk factors, and may occur congenitally or acquired. Endometriosis and polyp were recognized as the common findings in women with stenosis of the external cervical os in a few studies. Objective: This analytical cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the correlation between internal cervical os stenosis and other female infertility risk factors. Methods: This study was performed on 168 infertile women referred to Ahvaz infertility center who were divided into two groups of infertile patients with cervical stenosis (n = 84) and the control group of infertile patients without cervical stenosis (n = 84). Demographic and clinical data of all individuals including age, body mass index (BMI), the duration of infertility, causes of infertility, history of medicine and surgical treatment, endometriosis, type of ovarian cyst, the presence of cervical myomas, polyps, and uterine septum (diagnosed by sonohysterography) were determined. Correlation between internal cervical os stenosis and other characteristics was analyzed by One-way ANOVA in SPSS Statistics. Results: Two groups of patients with cervical stenosis and without cervical stenosis showed a significant difference statistically in terms of presence or absence of endometriosis, polyp and myoma (p 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study can help improve clinical and therapeutic management of female infertility related to cervical stenosis and other female infertility risk factors such as duration of infertility. Keywords: Cervical stenosis, Female infertility risk factors