A new look at tamoxifen: co-administration with letrozole in intrauterine insemination cycles.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of tamoxifen administration with letrozole in the context of intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This prospective double-blinded study included 130 patients. After randomization, 65 patients in group A received letrozole + tamoxifen and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), whereas 65 patients in group B received placebo instead of tamoxifen. In both groups, the parameters recorded were total number of follicles with ≥16 and 18 mm diameter, endometrial thickness and appearance, and total HMG administered. The results were compared between groups after single-stage IUI was performed.

RESULTS

Total dominant follicles in both groups were similar (mean number of follicles with diameter ≥16 and 18 mm was 1.5 ± 1.4 and 1.6 ± 1.1, respectively, in group A and 1.5 ± 1.1 and 1.6 ± 1, respectively, in group B; at the same time with less HMG usage in group A (255 ± 167 vs. 313 ± 174 IU), and higher pregnancy rate in group A (18.7 vs. 11.7 %); but none of them was statistically significant). Surprisingly, endometrial thickness was significantly higher in group A (7.7 ± 1.5 vs. 7 ± 1.3 mm; P value 0.008).

CONCLUSION

In addition to the efficacy of tamoxifen in co-administration with clomiphene citrate, it has promising effects with letrozole in induction of ovulation cycles with or without IUI.