Endometrial Wavelike Movements During the Menstrual Cycle

Objective: To qualify and quantify endometrial waves in regularly cycling women.

Design: A prospective transvaginal ultrasound study was performed throughout 23 cycles of 16 healthy women. Wave type and wave frequency were evaluated.

Setting: Normal human volunteers in an academic research environment.

Patients: Sixteen healthy regularly cycling women.

Results: Of 23 cycles, 19 proved to be ovulatory. Five types of endometrial waves could be distinguished. Waves from cervix to fundus and opposing waves were seen predominantly periovulatorily. Waves from fundus to cervix were absent in the postovulatory phase. Endometrial wavelike activity was most pronounced in the periovulatory phase.

Conclusions: Standardized qualification and quantification of endometrial waves, as described in this study, might shed new light on the underlying mechanisms in selected cases of hitherto unexplained subfertility.