Clomiphene citrate for unexplained subfertility in women

E Hughes; Edward C. Hughes; Julie Brown; J Collins; John J. Collins; P Vandekerckhove; Patrick Vanderkerchove

doi:10.1002/14651858.cd000057

Clomiphene citrate for unexplained subfertility in women

E Hughes, Edward C. Hughes, Julie Brown, J Collins, John J. Collins, P Vandekerckhove, Patrick Vanderkerchove

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2000 · pp. CD000057 · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd000057 · PMID:10796478 · W4246295349

Systematic review / meta-analysis OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 10 in-corpus citations

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Clomiphene citrate significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates in women with unexplained infertility compared to no treatment or placebo.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Clomiphene citrate appears to increase ovulation in women with oligo-ovulatory subfertility. It may also work in women with unexplained subfertility, perhaps by correcting an unidentifiable ovulatory dysfunction. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of clomiphene citrate in women with unexplained subfertility. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Subfertility Review Group specialised register of controlled trials was searched". SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials of clomiphene citrate (doses of 50 to 250 milligrams per day up to 10 days) compared to placebo or no treatment in women with unexplained subfertility. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Five studies were included. Four trials were of crossover design, and quality of the randomisation was variable. Compared to placebo, clomiphene citrate was associated with an increase in pregnancy rates. The odds ratio for pregnancy per patient was 2.38 (95% confidence interval 1.22 to 4.62). The odds ratio of pregnancy per cycle was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.35 to 4.62). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate appears to modestly improve pregnancy rates in women with unexplained subfertility. However adverse effects include a possible ovarian cancer risk and risk of multiple pregnancy.

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Condition tags

infertility

MeSH descriptors

Clomiphene Fertility Agents, Female Infertility, Female Clomiphene Female Fertility Agents, Female Humans Infertility, Female

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Cited by (7)

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[1] A prospective randomized trial of artificial insemination versus intercourse in cycles stimulated with human menopausal gonadotropin or clomiphene citrate via openalex

[2] A randomized, controlled trial of clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination in couples with unexplained infertility or surgically corrected endometriosis via openalex

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[5] W2188540340 via openalex

[6] doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(53)92483-0 via openalex

[7] W2406914808 via openalex

[8] doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)59052-9 via openalex

[9] W2414605775 via openalex

[10] W6687543465 via openalex

[11] W6715980389 via openalex

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[13] doi:10.1002/sim.4780060306 via openalex

[14] doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.01.094 via openalex

[15] doi:10.1056/nejm199409223311204 via openalex

[16] doi:10.3109/09513599009012324 via openalex

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[23] doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(97)00394-4 via openalex