Ovulation stimulation and induction.

Abstract

Evaluation of gonadotropins, prolactin, and thyroid function in anovulatory women directs subsequent therapy. Treatment should be initiated with the agent that is the safest and least costly for the specific indication. Except in cases of FSH elevation, pregnancy rates should approximate those of normally ovulating women. Bromocriptine, the drug of choice for hyperprolactinemia, restores ovulation in greater than 90% of women treated. Clomiphene citrate remains the drug of choice for normoestrogenic anovulation. Although drug-resistant women may respond to extended regimens, failure to ovulate or to conceive within six ovulatory cycles with clomiphene is an indication for menotropin therapy. Menotropins and pulsatile GnRH should be considered first line therapy for women with hypogonadotropic anovulation. When using hMG or pulsatile GnRH in clomiphene-resistant patients, pretreatment with GnRH analogs may normalize their response and result in higher pregnancy rates. GnRH analogs prevent premature luteinization in hMG-induced in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer cycles, resulting in lower cancellation rates and improved oocyte quality. Superovulation with clomiphene citrate should be attempted in patients with unexplained infertility prior to using menotropin therapy.