Hormonal and ovarian stromal blood supply changes after laparoscopic tubal sterilization: a prospective controlled study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine if the effects of tubal sterilization (TS) by laparoscopy have any risk of a subsequent significant decrease in ovarian reserve and vascular support within the ovary by means of stromal artery Doppler study, and to compare the results with matched paired controls.

Design: Between February 2002 and January 2005, 148 healthy volunteers were enrolled sequentially, 74 undergoing laparoscopic TS (study group) and 74 age-, parity-, body mass index-matched women were recruited as a control group. The main outcome measurements were blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone and E2, ovarian volume, number of antral follicles and Doppler study of ovarian stromal artery pulsatile index (PI) and maximum velocity (Vmax) on the third day of the cycle immediately before, and 1 and 12 months after the surgical intervention.