Menstrual cycle length is an age-independent marker of female fertility: results from 6271 treatment cycles of in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether menstrual cycle length correlates with success rates at IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and could be used as a marker of ovarian reserve.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Private infertility centre.


METHODS
A total of 6271 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles.


METHODS
Self-reported mean number of menstrual days during the last year was recorded before initiation of IVF/ICSI treatment.


METHODS
Relations between menstrual cycle length and pregnancy and delivery rates.


RESULTS
Increasing age was associated with a subtle shortening of mean menstrual cycle length. Menstrual cycle length correlated linearly with pregnancy and delivery rates, even after age adjustment. The chance of delivery after IVF/ICSI was almost doubled for women with a menstrual cycle length >34 days compared with women with a menstrual cycle length <26 days. Menstrual cycle length was also significantly associated with ovarian response to FSH/hMG stimulation and embryo quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Mean menstrual cycle length is highly related to success rates in assisted reproduction, independently of age. A precise menstrual cycle history could be used as a simple marker of ovarian reserve.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D050498:Live Birth; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone