Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively the appropriateness of follicular sonography alone for monitoring ovarian stimulation and to compare it to ovarian monitoring with both follicular sonography and hormone level determinations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blind, clinical study in which the investigator made cycle management decisions based on follicular sonography only. RESULTS: Follicular sonography alone predicted 88% of the decisions made by the combination of follicular sonography, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E 2) and progesterone measurements. Follicular sonography was unable to predict abnormal E 2 patterns in eight (8%) of the patients' scans. Follicular sonography did not detect three (3%) patients with a premature LH surge. CONCLUSION: Follicular sonograms alone performed during ovarian stimulation predicted 88% of cycle decisions. One could argue that hormone measurements could be either reduced or eliminated during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology and that follicular sonography only would be a cost-effective compromise. The effect of such simplified monitoring on pregnancy rates would require further prospective evaluation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 7-10 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- reproduction techniques
- ultrasonography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology