Comparison between two clomiphene citrate protocols for induction of ovulation in clomiphene resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Objective To compare two protocols of CC therapy for induction of ovulation in a group CC resistant PCOS women. Study design Double blind randomized controlled trial. Subjects and methods 260 nulliparous CC resistant PCOS women randomized between two groups; In the first group each patient received 200 mg/day for 5 days while the second group received 100 mg/day for 10 days, both starting on day 3 of progestin induced withdrawal bleeding. Main outcome measures Ovulation defined as at least one follicle reaching ⩾14 mm diameter, and confirmed by timed serum progesterone. Secondary outcome measures included; number of dominant follicles, endometrial thickness, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate. Results The extended protocol resulted in significantly higher ovulation, pregnancy, and live-birth rates than the high dose protocol ( p 0.001). Serum FSH levels on day 6 of treatment were comparable between the two groups while the level on day 11 was significantly higher in the second group ( p 0.02). Serum LH levels were comparable both on days 6 and 11. Patients on longer protocol (group II) required a longer time to ovulate (18 ± 4.4 versus 14 ± 3.6 days) but had a significantly higher endometrial thickness at the time of ovulation. ( p 0.02) FSH and LH levels were comparable between responders and non-responders in both groups. Conclusions The current study reports significantly higher ovulation and pregnancy rates with the longer lower dose protocol probably because of prolonged FSH rise. Study web address: ACTRN12611000639921.