OVULATION INDUCTION IN CLOMIPHENE-RESISTANT ANOVULATORY WOMEN WITH NORMAL DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE LEVELS - BENEFICIAL-EFFECTS OF THEADDITION OF DEXAMETHASONE DURING THE FOLLICULAR PHASE

Objective: To evaluate the effect on ovulation of a 10-day course of d examethasone (DEX) initiated concurrently with a 5-day course of clomi phene citrate (CC) in CC-resistant patients with normal DHEAS levels. Design: Retrospective review. Settings: Patients from the clinical pra ctice of the authors at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georg ia. Patients: Thirteen oligomenorrheic women with normal DHEAS levels who failed to ovulate on a graduated regimen of CC up to a dose of 150 mg for 5 days. Interventions: Ten-day course of DEX initiated concurr ently with a 5-day course of CC; ovulation and pregnancy outcomes reco rded. Main Outcome Measure: Pregnancy. Results: Eleven of 13 women bad evidence of ovulation. Five clinical pregnancies were achieved. Concl usion: These initial data support improvements in follicular developme nt with an overlapping follicular phase regimen of CC and DEX in patie nts with normal DHEAS levels and a previous poor response.