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Aromatase inhibitors for ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation
Author(s) -
Lee Vivian Chi Yan,
Ledger William
Publication year - 2011
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.1365-2265.2011.04006.x
Subject(s) - letrozole , ovulation induction , medicine , ovulation , aromatase , aromatase inhibitor , in vitro fertilisation , gynecology , ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome , endocrinology , anovulation , polycystic ovary , pregnancy , biology , hormone , breast cancer , cancer , diabetes mellitus , insulin resistance , genetics
Summary Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) were originally developed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Their use in reproductive medicine has been extensively studied in the past decade. We reviewed the current strategies for ovulation induction for anovulatory women, mostly women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and the scientific basis for use of AIs in reproductive medicine. The AI, letrozole, is effective in ovulation induction in women with PCOS resistant to clomifene citrate and ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Letrozole is an attractive option with its oral route of administration, cost, safety profile and effectiveness in ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation. Letrozole has the potential to be the first‐line treatment option for ovulation induction in PCOS women, while its use in ovarian stimulation for IVF deserves further study.