Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Mifepristone does not induce cervical softening in non-pregnant women (HTML) 
Ben-Chetrit,Avraham; Eldar-Geva,Talia; Lindenberg,Tzina; Farhat,Morshed; Shimonovitz,Shlomo; Zacut,David; Gelber,Hadassa; Sitruk-Ware,Regine; Spitz,Irving M.
Human Reproduction 19(10): 2372-2376
Publication date: 2004

---

Background
Many techniques have been developed to soften thecervix to reduce complications following surgical dilatation.Progesterone inhibits myometrial contractility and its secretionduring pregnancy ensures cervical competence. We used the progesteroneantagonist mifepristone as a cervical ripening agent and evaluatedits effect prior to office hysteroscopy.

Methods
Fifty-eighthealthy non-pregnant women aged 18-50 were studied ina randomized double-blind study. They received mifepristone(200 mg) or placebo 30 h prior to hysteroscopy. A Hegar testwas performed prior to drug administration and again beforehysteroscopy. A visual analogue pain scale was used to assesspain.

Results
Medical history, physical examination and bloodtests were similar in both groups, except for serum progesteronewhich was higher in the study group. Hegar measurement priorto drug ingestion was similar in both groups and after a meantime of 30.3 h increased in both groups. Neither the Hegar measurementnor the pain scale was different in the two groups. There wasalso no effect of the high progesterone levels.

Conclusions
Unlike its dramatic effect in the pregnant uterus, mifepristoneadministered 30 h prior to hysteroscopy was not effective inripening the cervix of non-pregnant women.

---