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Shahgheibi, S., Seyedoshohadaei, F., Khezri, D., & Ghasemi, S. (2021). Endometrial and follicular development following stair-step and traditional protocols in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM), 19(6), 537–544. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v19i6.9375

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v19i6.9375

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authors

  • Sholeh Shahgheibi

    Sholeh Shahgheibi

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Fariba Seyedoshohadaei

    Fariba Seyedoshohadaei

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Danial Khezri

    Danial Khezri

    Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Solmaz Ghasemi

    Solmaz Ghasemi

    Besat Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7727-4147

Published Date

  • Jul 27, 2021

Endometrial and follicular development following stair-step and traditional protocols in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM) / International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 19, Issue No. 6 / Pages 537–544

Abstract

Background: Various strategies have been proposed for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatment.


Objective: To investigate and compare the number and size of ovarian follicles, endometrial thickness, and ovulation rate by traditional protocol (TP) and stair-step protocol (SSP).


Materials and Methods: Sixty infertile PCOS women were allocated into two groups (SSP = 30 and control TP = 30) between May and October 2019 in the Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. In the SSP group, the infertile women were treated with 50 mg/daily clomiphene citrate (CC) for five days, while the nonresponsive women were prescribed 100 mg daily CC for five days in the same cycle. The maximum dose (150 mg) was administered until ovulation occurred. In the control group, in non-ovulatory cases, the dose was increased in the next cycle. Ultrasound was used to detect ovulation.


Results: Endometrial thickness changes with various doses of CC were significantly different in the TP. The comparison of both protocols showed a significant difference in endometrial thickness only at 50 mg CC. The number of follicles in the left ovary was significantly different in both protocols at 150-mg CC. The size of ovarian follicles in the left ovary was significantly different between the two protocols at 100-mg CC. The ovulation rate was significantly different in the SSP at 100- and 150-mg doses of CC. Moreover, 86% of ovulation occurred at 100-mg CC in the SSP, while this rate was 73% in the TP.


Conclusion: The most appropriate dose for ovulation in patients with PCOS is 100 mg CC.


Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Clomiphene, Infertility, Ovulation induction.

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