Effect of estradiol valerate on endometrium thickness during clomiphene citrate-stimulated ovulation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of estradiol valerate (EV) on the thickness of clomiphene citrate (CC)-stimulated endometrium.


METHODS
Thirty-four normal ovulatory women were randomized double-blindly into two groups to receive CC 100 mg/day on day 2-6 of the treatment cycle, and either vitamin B (placebo) or EV 6 mg/day on day 10-14 of the cycle. The endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, numbers of mature follicles, and maximal diameters of preovulatory follicles were evaluated by transvaginal sonographic examination.


RESULTS
Thirty women completed both treatment cycles. Two other participants dropped out during the treatment due to side-effects (headache). The average endometrial thickness of the group treated with CC + placebo became slightly thinner when compared to the thickness at the baseline (9.04 vs 9.52 mm; P = 0.24). The CC + placebo and the CC + EV resulted in similar endometrial pattern, ovulation day, numbers of mature follicles, and sizes of the leading follicles before ovulation. However, an addition of EV into the CC cycle significantly increased the average endometrial thickness (10.7 mm vs 9.04 mm; P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that the addition of 6 mg/day EV following the CC treatment can prevent the endometrial thinning without perturbing folliculogenesis and ovulation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chonthicha
C
Satirapod
Siripen
S
Wingprawat
Rattiya
R
Jultanmas
Sasivimol
S
Rattanasiri
Siwanon
S
Jirawatnotai
Wicharn
W
Choktanasiri
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D002996:Clomiphene; D004958:Estradiol
clomiphene citrate; endometrial thickness; estradiol valerate; folliculogenesis; ovarian stimulation