Is follicle size important in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing intrauterine insemination?

This study explored the impact of follicle size and endometrial thickness on pregnancy rates in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination (a fertility treatment). The study concluded that pregnancy rates were not affected by follicle size or endometrial thickness.

PCOS is a condition where a woman’s hormones are out of balance. This can lead to infertility, as many women with PCOS do not ovulate normally. Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) is effective at inducing ovulation, but pregnancy rates are low following this treatment. Pregnancy success rates also vary in women with PCOS undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). IUI is a fertility treatment where sperm is placed inside the woman’s uterus to help fertilization.

Some studies have shown that different body signs, such as follicle size and the thickness of the endometrial layer, influence pregnancy rates. The follicle is the structure that holds the egg before it is released to the uterus. It has been thought that a larger follicle improves the chances of pregnancy. Endometrial thickness is the thickness of the internal layer lining the uterus. A thicker endometrial layer has been considered to be more beneficial for pregnancy. However the association between follicle size or endometrial thickness in women with PCOS is not clear.

This study examined the association between follicle size and endometrial thickness on pregnancy rates in women with PCOS. This study included 358 women treated with clomiphene citrate prior to IUI. Follicle size and endometrial thickness were measured on the day hCG (a hormone used to trigger ovulation) was administered. 

Pregnancy rates were not significantly different for women with smaller follicles (8.5%) compared to larger follicles (9.2%). Pregnancy rates were also not significantly different for women with differing levels of endometrial thickness.

The study concluded that pregnancy rates did not differ based on follicle size or endometrial thickness in PCOS patients treated with clomiphene citrate and IUI.