title: Mild ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate launch is a realistic option for in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate the use of clomiphene citrate in IVF when mild stimulation approaches are chosen to reduce patient discomfort, risk, and cost.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private IVF clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 163 patients undergoing IVF and with a good prognosis (defined as ≤38 years old with normal ovarian reserve and normovulatory cycles, body mass index <29 kg/m(2), no previous assisted reproductive technology cycles, no severe endometriosis, no history of recurrent miscarriage, no endocrine/autoimmune diseases, and no surgical semen extraction).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mild stimulation using a fixed protocol of clomiphene citrate (100 mg/d from cycle days 3 to 7) in combination with low doses of gonadotropins (150 IU of recombinant FSH on cycle days 5, 7, and 9) and GnRH antagonist.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cumulative delivery rate per patient after three fresh and/or frozen embryo transfers and time to pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No dropouts were observed. The cumulative delivery rate was 70%, and the mean time to pregnancy was 2.4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mild stimulation using clomiphene citrate in combination with low doses of gonadotropins can be considered a realistic option for good-prognosis patients undergoing IVF.
authors.affiliation: S.I.S.Me.R. Clinic, IVF Unit, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: annapia.ferraretti@sismer.it.
authors.forename: Anna Pia
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ferraretti
authors.affiliation: S.I.S.Me.R. Clinic, IVF Unit, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianaroli
authors.affiliation: S.I.S.Me.R. Clinic, IVF Unit, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Magli
authors.affiliation: S.I.S.Me.R. Clinic, IVF Unit, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devroey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate / Q000639:trends; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D002996:Clomiphene
keywords: IVF; Mild stimulation; clomiphene citrate; dropout