Fertility outcomes in women with hypopituitarism.
BACKGROUND
Women with hypopituitarism are known to have a poor outcome once pregnancy has been achieved by ovulation induction. There are no data, however, recording the efficacy of ovulation induction and pregnancy rates in this group of subfertile women.


METHODS
The outcome of fertility treatments in all 19 women with hypopituitarism attending the fertility clinics of University College London Hospitals over the past 20 years was audited.


RESULTS
Ovulation was achieved in almost all women (95%) but occurred in only 60% of treatment cycles. Pregnancy was achieved in 47% of women or 11% of cycles resulting in a live birth rate of 6.7% per cycle. Seven of the 18 pregnancies (39%) miscarried. Only 42% of women treated achieved a live birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovulation induction in women with hypopituitarism yields relatively low pregnancy rates in comparison to other causes of anovulation and a high miscarriage rate. Pituitary hormone deficiency beyond gonadotrophins has a major adverse effect on achieving pregnancy.
Hall
R
R
The Reproductive Medicine Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.
Manski-Nankervis
J
J
Goni
N
N
Davies
M C
MC
Conway
G S
GS
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000378:metabolism*; D050498:Live Birth; D008423:Maternal Age; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate