Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2022 Jun 1;34(3):101-106.
doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000777. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Prevention of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin-insemination cycles

Affiliations
Review

Prevention of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin-insemination cycles

Elias M Dahdouh et al. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Although elective single embryo transfer has significantly reduced, the rate of multiple pregnancy in IVF cycles, this rate is still relatively high in gonadotropin-insemination cycles. Patients who fail to ovulate or to conceive with oral agents and have constraints for IVF are usually candidates for gonadotropin injections. The current review article provides an up-to-date summation of the different strategies that can be adopted to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin-stimulated intrauterine insemination cycles.

Recent findings: Gonadotropin-insemination treatments should be used judiciously by experienced providers. One should always start with the lowest effective gonadotropin dose (∼37.5 IU), monitor closely the ovarian response, and consider cycle cancellation or conversion to IVF whenever a high response is encountered. Therefore, every infertility practice should define its own cancellation and 'rescue IVF' criteria depending on the number of mature ovarian follicles and the age of the female partner.

Summary: These preventive measures amongst others should mitigate the risk of multiple pregnancies that can arise from gonadotropin-insemination cycles.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Practice Committee of American Society for Reproductive Medicine, e, Birmingham, Alabama. Gonadotropin preparations: past, present, and future perspectives. Fertil Steril 2008; 90: (5 Suppl): S13–S20.
    1. Thessaloniki ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Consensus on infertility treatment related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Human reproduction 2008; 23:462–477.
    1. Balen AH, Morley LC, Misso M, et al. The management of anovulatory infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an analysis of the evidence to support the development of global WHO guidance. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 22:687–708.
    1. Dickey RP. Strategies to reduce multiple pregnancies due to ovulation stimulation. Fertil Steril 2009; 91:1–17.
    1. Franik S, Eltrop SM, Kremer JA, et al. Aromatase inhibitors (letrozole) for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 5:CD010287.