RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF OVULATION INDUCTION WITH AND WITHOUT INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION IN THE TREATMENT OF UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY

The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to determi ne the possible role of ovulation induction with intrauterine insemina tion (IUI) in the treatment of unexplained infertility. A total of 100 patients were randomized to receive ovulation induction with or witho ut IUI. All patients were treated with long-course gonadotrophin-relea sing hormone analogue (GnRHa), starting in the luteal phase, and exoge nous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to induce follicular growth. O vulation was induced using human chorionic gonadotrophin and timed int ercourse (TI) was advised 24-48 h later or IUI was effected 36-48 h la ter, Both the cycle fecundities (21.8 and 8.5%) and the cumulative ong oing pregnancy rates after three cycles (42 and 20%) were significantl y higher (P < 0.03) in the IUI group than in the TI group respectively , This is a clear indication that ovulation induction with IUI is an e ffective treatment method for unexplained infertility, but ovulation i nduction with TI has a negligible impact in this large group of patien ts.