Low-dose follicle-stimulating hormone treatment for polycystic ovarian disease.

OBJECTIVE

An attempt was made to induce ovulation with low-dose follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in clomifene-resistant women with anovulatory polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).

METHODS

Twenty-two PCOD patients were treated with a low-dose protocol of purified urinary FSH, starting with 75 IU/day and increasing every 7 days by 37.5 IU/day, if necessary. Monitoring was based on ultrasound scanning and estradiol measurements.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of the thirty-one cycles induced were ovulatory, the majority being uniovulatory (58%). No multiple pregnancies occurred. There was a small number of cancelled cycles (12.9%). The prevalence of complications was low, with one case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Ovulation was induced by a small amount of FSH (15.1 +/- 4.9 ampules).

CONCLUSION

The use of the low-dose protocol permitted induction of ovulation safely and successfully in a selected group of PCOD patients. This therapy was associated with a high incidence of single dominant follicles and a very low multiple pregnancy rate.