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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Grigoriou
O
O
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, Greece.
Antoniou
G
G
Antonaki
V
V
Patsouras
C
C
Zioris
C
C
Karakitsos
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone