Coasting may reduce the severity of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of postponing administra tion of human chorionic gonadotropin while continuing daily gonadotropin-re leasing hormone agonist therapy ('coasting') to prevent the occurrence of s evere ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) for patients with polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome. Five patients with PCO who had been hospitalized due to severe OHSS in previous in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer or i ntrauterine insemination cycles at the Tottori University Hospital were inc luded in the study. The rates of mature oocytes and fertilization were comp arable between the cycles, A singleton pregnancy was achieved in a patient during the coasting cycle, and none of the women developed severe OHSS in c oasting cycles. The results suggest that coasting may be an alternative met hod for reducing the severity of OHSS in patients with PCO. Copyright (C) 2 000 S. Karger AG, Basel.