title: Clomiphene citrate versus letrozole with gonadotropins in intrauterine insemination cycles: A randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clomiphene citrate is one of the effective drugs for infertility treatment due to oligo-ovulation or anovulation. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of more adherent methods for treatment of infertile cases which is followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this study was to evaluate Clomiphene citrate versus letrozole with gonadotropins in IUI cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective randomized trial, 180 infertile women who were referred to Milad Hospital were selected. The first group received 5 mg/day letrozole on day 3-7 of menstrual cycle. The second group received 100 mg/day Clomiphene in the same way as letrozole. In both groups, human menopausal gonadotropin was administered every day starting on day between 6-8 of cycle. Ovulation was triggered with urinary Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (5000 IU) when have two follicles of ≥16 mm. IUI was performed 36 hr later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of matured follicles, cycle cancellation, and abortion were the same in both groups. Endometrial thickness was higher at the time of human menopausal gonadotropin administration in letrozole group. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were much higher in letrozole group. Ovarian hyperstimulation was significantly higher in clomiphene group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Letrozole appears to be a good alternative to clomiphene citrate with fewer side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pourali
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayati
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavakolizadeh
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hourieh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soleimani
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teimouri Sani
keywords: Clomiphene citrate; Gonadotropin; Letrozole; Ovarian stimulation