Transvaginal ultrasonography in women receiving emergency contraception.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether transvaginal ultrasonography improves evaluation of conception time in women seeking emergency contraception.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Siena University, Siena, Italy.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-three women seeking postcoital contraception.


METHODS
Data on menstrual history and time of unprotected intercourse were recorded. Ultrasonographic variables evaluated were ovarian follicle or corpus luteum diameter, endometrial echopattern and thickness, and peritoneal fluid volume. Expected pregnancy rates were calculated according to the probability of conception as estimated from Dixon's table of data, based solely on anamnestic data, or from endometrial or ovarian findings on transvaginal ultrasonography.


RESULTS
According to the menstrual history (cut-off level < 0.03) we expected to find 7.6 pregnancies (7.9 in the high-risk group and 0.31 in the low-risk group). According to transvaginal ultrasonography (at the same cut-off), we expected 11.2 pregnancies (0.3 in the low-risk group and 10.9 in the high-risk group). No more than 7 pregnancies were observed, all of which occurred in the high-risk group as determined by transvaginal ultrasonography. In contrast, on the basis of anamnestic data, 4 of 7 pregnancies were in the high-risk group and 3 of 7 were in the low-risk group.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal ultrasonography allows timely definition of the fertile period and is a reliable method of computing the day of ovulation. It improves therapeutic options by allowing treatment of only women at high risk of conception.
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. severi@unisi.it
Filiberto M
FM
Severi
Caterina
C
Bocchi
Pasquale
P
Florio
Luigi
L
Cobellis
Erika
E
Ignacchiti
Felice
F
Petraglia
D000328:Adult; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D004630:Emergencies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010060:Ovulation; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital