Effect of Clomiphene Citrate Therapy on Postcoital Tests in Successive Treatment Cycles Including Response to Supplemental Estrogen Therapy

Abstract

Debate continues as to whether clomiphene citrate (CC) has an adverse effect on cervical mucus. Some researchers conclude that adverse effects maybe related to hormonal abnormalities, e.g., premature luteinization or improper timing. This study evaluated the initial and accumulative effects of CC on postcoital testing (PCT) and attempted to determine if supplemental estrogen (E) improves PCT and/or inhibits follicular maturation. The majority of patients taking CC had poor PCT tests even on the first treatment cycle. Good initial PCTs tended to remain so in subsequent cycles or at least to respond to subsequent supplemental E. Poor PCTs responding to E tended to continue to respond to the combination. PCTs not responding to E therapy continued this pattern in subsequent cycles. Supplemental E did not suppress follicular maturation.

Key Words:

• clomiphene citrate
• ethinyl estradiol
• follicular maturation
• postcoital test
• ovary