Improvement of cervical microenvironment after treatment of chronic cervicitis with focused ultrasound in infertility women

Abstract

To investigate the effects of focused ultrasound (FUS) treatment on cervical microenvironment in infertility women with chronic cervicitis. A total of 10 women treated in Infertility Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of College of Medicine of Zhejiang University were assessed. The women aged from 25 to 34 with normal menstrual cycles had moderate or severe cervical erosion. Ultrasound showed they had normal ovulation. The sperms of their husbands had normal motility and number. The FUS they received had a focal depth range of 4 - 6 mm, a resonant frequency of 9 - 11 MHz, and an output power of 3.5 W. The follow-up time was three months. The changes of cervical mucus and the results of postcoital test were evaluated. The clinical effects on cervical erosion and complications were also evaluated. In 6 cases of severe cervical erosion, 2 were cured, 2 were improved significantly (more than 50 % reduction of erosion area) and 2 were improved (less than 50 % reduction of erosion area). In 4 cases of moderate cervical erosion, 2 were cured, 2 were improved significantly. After the treatment, the median of cervical mucus score during LH peak were increased from 11 to 13 (Wilcoxon test, P=0.014). Postcoital test showed that the median of highly motile sperm (grade III and grade II) of 5 high-power field were increased from 22 to 52 (Wilcoxon test, P=0.015). Mild side effects without medical intervention included vaginal fluid in all 10 women, vaginal spotting in 2 women. No serious side effects were observed. The focused ultrasound therapy can help to improve the cervical microenvironment for infertility women with moderate or severe cervical erosion without serious side effects.