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. 2017 Jan;15(1):49-54.

Clomiphene citrate versus letrozole with gonadotropins in intrauterine insemination cycles: A randomized trial

Leila Pourali  1 , Sedigheh Ayati  1 , Shirin Tavakolizadeh  2 , Hourieh Soleimani  2 , Fatemeh Teimouri Sani  2
Affiliations

Clomiphene citrate versus letrozole with gonadotropins in intrauterine insemination cycles: A randomized trial

Leila Pourali et al. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Clomiphene citrate is one of the effective drugs for infertility treatment due to oligo-ovulation or anovulation. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of more adherent methods for treatment of infertile cases which is followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate Clomiphene citrate versus letrozole with gonadotropins in IUI cycles.

Materials and methods: In this prospective randomized trial, 180 infertile women who were referred to Milad Hospital were selected. The first group received 5 mg/day letrozole on day 3-7 of menstrual cycle. The second group received 100 mg/day Clomiphene in the same way as letrozole. In both groups, human menopausal gonadotropin was administered every day starting on day between 6-8 of cycle. Ovulation was triggered with urinary Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (5000 IU) when have two follicles of ≥16 mm. IUI was performed 36 hr later.

Results: The number of matured follicles, cycle cancellation, and abortion were the same in both groups. Endometrial thickness was higher at the time of human menopausal gonadotropin administration in letrozole group. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were much higher in letrozole group. Ovarian hyperstimulation was significantly higher in clomiphene group.

Conclusion: Letrozole appears to be a good alternative to clomiphene citrate with fewer side effects.

Keywords: Clomiphene citrate; Gonadotropin; Letrozole; Ovarian stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Consort flowchart of the study design
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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