Sequential clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin with intrauterine insemination: the effect of patient age on clinical outcome

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of female and male patient age on pregnancy rates with sequential clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination (IUI) therapy after previous CC and IUI treatment failure. A total of 208 patients previously unable to conceive with CC/IUI therapy underwent 416 treatment cycles of sequential CC/HMG with IUI at a university fertility centre between May, 1991 and August, 1995. Clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and the effect of female and male partner chronological age were retrospectively examined. Treatment with sequential CC/HMG with IUI resulted in clinical pregnancy rates ranging from 5.9 to 23.1% despite previous CC/IUI treatment failure. Clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and cumulative pregnancy rates declined significantly in female patients > or = 35 years of age compared to those < 35 years of age. A statistically significant decline in clinical pregnancy rates could not be demonstrated as a function of increasing male partner age. Pregnancy rates in patients undergoing ovulation induction with sequential CC/HMG with IUI decline significantly with increasing female partner age.