title: To pill or not to pill in GnRH antagonist cycles: that is the question!
abstract: Worldwide, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are gaining ground, and the number of patients being treated for IVF with a GnRH antagonist is increasing. Cycle planning in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles has been a challenge. During the past 2 years, debate has been ongoing about the possible disadvantages of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) pre-treatment in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles. A recent meta-analysis clearly showed a significant decrease in ongoing pregnancy rates between patients who received OCP pre-treatment and those who did not. In this review, the published meta-analysis are is evaluated. It is argued that caution must be exercised in drawing conclusions too quckly on whether or not OCP pre-treatment might have a negative effect on outcome in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles.
authors.affiliation: IVI-Madrid, Av Talgo, 68 28035 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: juan.garcia.velasco@ivi.es.
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Garcia-Velasco
authors.affiliation: Nova IVI Fertility-Abu Dhabi, PO Box 60202, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Human M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fatemi
mesh_terms: D001723:Birth Rate; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: GnRH antagonist; OCP; estrogens; scheduling