The multiple uses of ethinyl estradiol for treating infertility.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the usefulness of ethinyl estradiol, a drug no longer commercially produced in most countries, in treating various fertility related issues.

METHODS

Twenty to 40 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol can be started on day 2 or 3 of the cycle and combined with exogenous gonadotropin can be useful in improving hostile cervical mucus or inducing ovulation in women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. It can be used from the day after stopping clomiphene citrate to help negate the adverse effect of this drug on cervical mucus.

RESULTS

Successful pregnancies have been achieved saving the couple the expense of intrauterine insemination (IUI) or using donor oocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This drug can be very helpful for those physicians who treat each infertile woman on an individual basis and carefully ascertain the couple's input as to their preferences rather than a "herd" type of medicine.