Natural Cycle Versus Ovulation Induction Cycle in Intrauterine Insemination

CHEN Li; LIU Qi

Abstract：Objective:To compare the results of the natural cycle and ovulation induction cycle in intrauterine insemination(IUI)for infertile couples of different ages. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 746 IUI cycles for 363 infertile couples,who were divided into a natural cycle(NC)and an ovulation induction cycle(OIC)group.The two groups were respectively subdivided into a<35 yr and a≥35 yr age group,and,according to the drugs used,the OIC group was again divided into subgroups of clomiphene citrate+ Progynova(CC+P),menopausal gonadotropin(HMG)and CC+HMG.The rates of clinical pregnancy,abortion and delivery were compared among different groups. Results:The pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the NC than in the OIC group (11.35% versus 19.61%,P<0.01),but the rates of abortion and delivery had no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05),nor did the rate of clinical pregnancy among the subgroups of CC+P,HMG and CC+HMG(18.00%,25.00% and 19.35%,P>0.05).The <35-year-old patients showed statistically lower rates of pregnancy and delivery in the NC than in the OIC group(P<0.01 and P<0.05),while the≥35-year-olds exhibited no significant differences in the rates of clinical pregnancy,abortion and delivery between the two groups. Conclusion:The ovulation induction cycle could achieve a higher pregnancy rate than the natural cycle in IUI,whether with CC+P,HMG or CC+HMG,particularly for the infertile patients under 35 years.But the natural cycle is preferable for the≥35-year-olds.