Adding Prednisolone to Clomiphene Citrate may Improve Ovulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Patients: randomized clinical trial

Abstract

espite the progress in treatment of infertility by using Invitro fertilization and ICSI, remains the induction of ovulation the cornerstone and the first step taken for infertility treatment. Clomid is still the first choice for induction of ovulation in patients with PCOS with associated infertility. Many studies have been performed to know the efficacy of additive therapy to clomid for induction of ovulation; however, the use of steroids showed significant improvement in induction of ovulation when added to Clomid; there were some side effects to the use of steroids in the form of Dexamethasone including adrenal gland suppression and other known side effects of steroids. This study aimed at assessing whether the use of prednisolone in addition to Clomid for induction of ovulation in PCOS patients with associated infertility improves ovulation. Prednisolone has a shorter pharmacologic duration and about one fifth the potency of Dexamethasone. Prednisolone 10 mg daily dose administered during the cycle and continued until confirmation of pregnancy suppresses adrenal androgens with minimal effects on adrenal corticosteroid reserve. This is because the desired effect is reduction of adrenal andr