Dexamethasone in unexplained infertility

To determine if dexamethasone could be a suitable option in the treatment of patients with unexplained infertility. This study was carried out in the Obstetrics Department of Amir University Hospital, Semnan, Iran, from April 2001 to May 2008. One hundred and twenty-four cases of unexplained infertility that underwent ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) (only one cycle) were evaluated, and divided into 2 groups. Sixteen cases were excluded, as they were unresponsive to the induction ovulation regimen. Group I (n=42) received clomiphene citrate (CC) + dexamethasone, and the control group (group II, n=66) received CC alone. These groups were the same in age, duration of infertility, and body mass index. The clinical pregnancy rates were evaluated in 2 groups by using statistical tests. The clinical pregnancy rate was 21.4% in group I, and 4.5% in group II. There was a significant statistical difference between the groups (relative risk=4.71, 95% confidence interval=1.35-16.42, p=0.0085). The pregnancy rate in women with unexplained infertility that underwent ovulation induction with CC + dexamethasone + IUI was significantly higher than those who underwent ovulation induction with CC alone + IUI.