The sonographic and endocrinologic evaluation of the endometrium in the luteal phase.

Follicular development and the endometrial thickness were determined sonographically in 19 outpatients with different causes of sterility, treated during natural or stimulated cycles. The estimates of the endometrial thickness, assessed by ultrasound in the mid-luteal phase, and the levels of 17 beta-oestradiol and progesterone in the same patients sampled on the day of sonography were compared. Five patients became pregnant (group 1) and showed good progesterone values. Eight patients who were not pregnant showed progesterone values above 15 ng/ml in the mid-luteal phase (group 2). The progesterone values of group 3 were below 15 ng/ml by definition. The mean endometrial thickness in group 1 (means = 11.3 mm) and group 2 (means = 11.8 mm) were significantly higher than that of group 3 (means = 8.3 mm). The sonographic measurement of the mid-luteal endometrium thickness serves as an additional criterion for the evaluation of the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.