Effectiveness of Misoprostol in Office Hysteroscopy in Premenopausal Nulliparous Women: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this was to evaluate the effectiveness of misoprostol in premenopausal nulliparous women with 200-mcg single vaginal dose 4 h before the procedure. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: This study was conducted in a tertiary care and academic research center. PATIENTS: One hundred patients were included in the study: 50 in misoprostol group and 50 in placebo. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent office hysteroscopy 4 h after vaginal application of misoprostol or placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ease of doing hysteroscopy was significantly better in the misoprostol group (difficulty score: 2.74 ± 1.20) as compared to placebo (difficulty score: 4.20 ± 1.10), P = 0.001. The time taken for negotiating the internal os (cervical passage time) was found to be significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (6.20 ± 5.21 s) as compared to placebo (14.78 ± 11.84 s), P = 0.001. The overall Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was significantly lower in the intervention group (2.64 ± 1.62) as compared to placebo (4.90 ± 1.90), P = 0.001. Moreover, the VAS score at the point of passing internal os was significantly lower in the misoprostol group (2.82 ± 1.39) as compared to placebo (4.94 ± 1.96), P = 0.001. Misoprostol had a significant positive effect on satisfaction level of patients; 76% (n = 38) of women in the misoprostol group expressed their willingness to undergo the procedure again if required versus 18% (n = 9) in placebo, P = 0.001. Furthermore, 78% (n = 39) of women in the misoprostol group would recommend the procedure to their friends and relatives versus 36% (n = 18) in placebo, P = 0.001. CONCLUSION: Preoperative cervical preparation with 200 mcg of misoprostol vaginal application 4 h before office hysteroscopy in premenopausal nulliparous women significantly reduces the difficulty encountered in negotiating the cervical canal. Further, it significantly reduces the pain experienced by the patient at the point of passage through internal os as well as throughout the entire procedure.