Evening Primrose Oil Effect on the Ease of Cervical Ripening and Dilatation Before Operative Hysteroscopy

Abstract

Background: Some important complications such as cervical tears, creation of false tract and uterine perforation may happen during cervical entry of operative hysteroscope. These complications can be reduced by priming agents. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the effect of vaginal evening primrose oil (EPO) on cervical ripening and dilatation before operative hysteroscopy. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six non-menopausal patients without a history of normal vaginal delivery and fourteen menopausal patients who underwent operative hysteroscopy were selected for the study. By simple randomization method, twenty-eight females received two soft gels of EPO (each 500 mg) and twenty-two females received placebo; in both cases the soft gels were applied to the posterior vaginal fornix 6 - 8 hours before operative hysteroscopy. Results: The primary outcome measures were the total dilatation time starting with Hegar size