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Fertility outcomes in women with hypopituitarism
Author(s) -
Hall R.,
ManskiNankervis J.,
Goni N.,
Davies M. C.,
Conway G. S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2006.02550.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , hypopituitarism , medicine , fertility , anovulation , ovulation , ovulation induction , obstetrics , miscarriage , pregnancy rate , gynecology , live birth , hormone , population , biology , polycystic ovary , insulin resistance , genetics , environmental health , insulin
Summary Background Women with hypopituitarism are known to have a poor outcome once pregnancy has been achieved by ovulation induction. There are no data, however, recording the efficacy of ovulation induction and pregnancy rates in this group of subfertile women. Methods The outcome of fertility treatments in all 19 women with hypopituitarism attending the fertility clinics of University College London Hospitals over the past 20 years was audited. Results Ovulation was achieved in almost all women (95%) but occurred in only 60% of treatment cycles. Pregnancy was achieved in 47% of women or 11% of cycles resulting in a live birth rate of 6·7% per cycle. Seven of the 18 pregnancies (39%) miscarried. Only 42% of women treated achieved a live birth. Conclusion Ovulation induction in women with hypopituitarism yields relatively low pregnancy rates in comparison to other causes of anovulation and a high miscarriage rate. Pituitary hormone deficiency beyond gonadotrophins has a major adverse effect on achieving pregnancy.