Gynecology-endocrinology
The effect of ethinyl estradiol on endometrial thickness and uterine volume during ovulation induction by clomiphene citrate

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Objective

To assess the deleterious effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) on the development of the endometrium and its improvement by the addition of ethinyl estradiol (E2).

Participating Patients

Infertility-treated patients, monitored for induction of ovulation or timing of insemination (control group).

Design

We studied four groups of women during an ovulatory cycle with various treatment schedules. Group 1: untreated patients; group 2: patients treated by CC; group 3: patients treated by CC + ethinyl E2; group 4: patients treated by human menopausal gonadotropin. Follow-up of the patients was done by vaginal ultrasonography and measurements of blood E2.

Results

In the group treated by CC, both endometrial thickness and uterine volume growth during the follicular phase were lower as compared with untreated controls and menotropin-treated patients. The addition of ethinyl E2 to these patients reversed this deletrious effect of CC without interfering with ovulation.

Conclusion

Ethinyl E2 may reverse the deleterious effect of CC on endometrial development during the follicular phase.

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Reprint requests: Simcha Yagel, M.D., Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, POB 24035, Israel.