The management of unexplained infertility: an evidence-based guideline from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

William Buckett, Sony Sierra
Reproductive BioMedicine Online · 2019 · vol. 39(4) , pp. 633–640 · doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.05.023 · PMID:31439397 · W2958071006
Guideline OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 5 in-corpus citations
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This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of unexplained infertility, outlining preferred treatment pathways for couples experiencing this condition.

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Abstract

Unexplained infertility is a common diagnosis affecting as many as 50% of couples seeking infertility care. As a diagnosis of exclusion, its treatment remains largely empirical. Historically, a step-wise progression in treatment has been initiated with the least invasive, least expensive option followed by a gradual progression to therapies using assisted reproductive technology. In recent years there have been advocates for more rapid-progression IVF. This guideline from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) provides comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of unexplained infertility, including expectant management, laparoscopy, intrauterine insemination (IUI) alone, ovarian stimulation with oral agents or gonadotropins alone, ovarian stimulation + IUI, and IVF. The quality of supporting evidence for each recommendation is evaluated using the framework outlined by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. This guideline recognizes that the therapeutic approach should be individualized taking into account patient age and duration of infertility, and emphasizes those strategies that are most likely to result in a healthy live birth.

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Condition tags

infertility

MeSH descriptors

Andrology Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-Based Practice Infertility Reproductive Techniques, Assisted Andrology Andrology Canada Female Fertility Fertility Humans Infertility Infertility Infertility Male Pregnancy Reproductive Techniques, Assisted Societies, Medical Societies, Medical

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