Extended estrogen administration for women with thin endometrium in frozen-thawed in-vitro fertilization programs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of extended estrogen administration for women with thin endometrium in frozen-thawed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.


METHODS
Thirty-six women undergoing IVF program had thin endometrium (<8 mm). Among them, 23 received fresh embryo transfer (control group), but 13 canceled embryo transfer and underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer in the subsequent cycle after extended administration of exogenous estrogen (study group).


RESULTS
In the study group, the mean endometrial thickness increased significantly from 6.7 mm in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles to 8.6 mm after an extended estrogen therapy for 14 to 82 days (P=0.031). Their pregnancy rate was significantly higher than that in the control group (38.5% vs. 4.3%, P=0.016). Among 5 women achieving pregnancies in the study group, one was complicated with placenta accreta, and the other 4 had uneventful pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended estrogen administration followed by frozen-thawed IVF programs is beneficial for women with thin endometrium. However, the risk of abnormal placentation and peripartal complication should be kept in mind.
Chen
Mei-Jou
MJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang
Jehn-Hsiahn
JH
Peng
Fu-Hsiang
FH
Chen
Shee-Uan
SU
Ho
Hong-Nerng
HN
Yang
Yu-Shih
YS
D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate
D004967:Estrogens