Ovulation induction: comparing success rates between anovulatory and ovulatory cycles using different treatment protocols

Abstract

The management of patients with sub-fertility, particularly unexplained sub-fertility, is a sensitive and complex matter. This was a prospective observational study conducted from October 2016 to March 2017 in Galway, Ireland, the aim of which was to identify the clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) in women undergoing ovulation induction (OI) with timed sexual intercourse (TSI) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) and to compare them across two groups: (1) Anovulatory women and (2) ovulatory women with unexplained subfertility. Patients undergoing OI were recruited consecutively and OI regimens were prescribed as per local clinical protocol. The main observation was a higher CPR in the anovulatory group (18%) compared with the ovulatory group (CPR = 10%) (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in the CPR between the TSI and IUI groups. There are many studies to support the use of OI in the treatment of women with anovulatory subfertility, though the use of OI in ovulatory women is a more controversial issue. The treatment options offered to these patients need to be individualized to each couple and should consider their length of infertility, age, and financial means. Due to the lower cost and the less invasive nature of OI-treatment we conclude that a short treatment course could be offered as an acceptable alternative prior to IVF.