Dexamethasone in unexplained infertility

OBJECTIVE: To determine if dexamethasone could be a suitable option in the treatment of patients with unexplained infertility.

METHODS: This study was carried out in the Obstetrics Department of Amir University Hospital, Semnan, Iran, from April 2001 to May 2008. One hundred and twenty-four cases of unexplained infertility that underwent ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) (only one cycle) were evaluated, and divided into 2 groups. Sixteen cases were excluded, as they were unresponsive to the induction ovulation regimen. Group I (n=42) received clomiphene citrate (CC) + dexamethasone, and the control group (group II, n=66) received CC alone. These groups were the same in age, duration of infertility, and body mass index. The clinical pregnancy rates were evaluated in 2 groups by using statistical tests.

RESULTS: The clinical pregnancy rate was 21.4% in group I, and 4.5% in group II. There was a significant statistical difference between the groups (relative risk=4.71, 95% confidence interval=1.35-16.42, p=0.0085).

CONCLUSION: The pregnancy rate in women with unexplained infertility that underwent ovulation induction with CC + dexamethasone + IUI was significantly higher than those who underwent ovulation induction with CC alone + IUI.