Effect of pre-treatment with oral short-acting contraceptives on assisted reproductive technology outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effects of pre-treatment with Combined Oral Contraceptives (COC) on the prognosis of individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODS

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) were searched from their establishment until February 23, 2024. Literature screening was performed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was executed using Stata 14.0 software, with outcomes expressed as mean differences (MD) and odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Our comprehensive analysis comprised of 11 studies, encompassing a total of 4413 patients diagnosed with PCOS. Meta-analysis results revealed that, compared to no pre-treatment, the use of COC pre-treatment did not significantly improve clinical pregnancy rates (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.09), cumulative pregnancy rates (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.39), or implantation rates (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.36). However, the use of COC pre-treatment was found to be linked to a higher rate of miscarriage (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.65). Additionally, it did not have a significant impact on the rate of live births (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.97), cumulative live births (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.04), or the occurrence of OHSS (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.28). Gonadotropin dosage required for ovarian stimulation also showed no significant difference (MD: -15.32, 95% CI: -79.79 to 49.15). At the same time, we analyzed different ovulation induction regimens and found that there was no statistically significant miscarriage rate between the GnRH agonist (standard long regimen) after COC pre-treatment and the control group (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.59), while there was no significant difference between the live birth rate with GnRH agonist (standard long regimen) after contraceptive pre-treatment and the control group (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Administering COC pre-treatment for patients with PCOS undergoing ART does not provide substantial advantages in terms of clinical pregnancy, cumulative pregnancy, live birth rates, or the reduction of OHSS incidence. However, it is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42024528652.