Minimal stimulation with simplified monitoring for in vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE: This retrospective, descriptive study was designed to determine the effectiveness of using clomiphene citrate in relatively high daily doses (100, 150, and 200 mg) with simplified monitoring for in vitro fertilization in a private office and surgical center. The self-selected study population comprised 109 women who were 25-42 years old, including 26 women whose husbands had mild male-factor infertility.

RESULTS

During January 1992 through December 1993, 165 stimulation cycles resulted in 137 egg retrievals, 24 clinical pregnancies (17.5%), and 20 viable pregnancies (14.5%). Cycles that could not be completed (28/165 or 16.9% of all cycles) involved luteinizing hormone surges, insufficient follicles, or low estradiol levels. There were no pregnancies in patients who were 40 years or older or who received 200 mg daily doses of clomiphene citrate. The viable pregnancy rate among patients with male factor infertility was 7.7% (2/26). For non-male-factor infertility patients who were younger than 40, the viable pregnancy rate was 17.6% (18/102).

CONCLUSION

The simplified monitoring method did not appear to compromise the results.