The type of catheter has no impact on the pregnancy rate after intrauterine insemination: a randomized study.
Hum Reprod 2006;
21:2364-7. [PMID:
16704994 DOI:
10.1093/humrep/del154]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study was done to test the hypothesis that intrauterine insemination (IUI) using a soft-tip catheter results in a higher live birth rate than IUI using a hard-tip catheter.
METHODS
Five hundred and forty patients were randomized into those inseminated with a soft-tip catheter (group 1, n = 267) and those inseminated with a hard-tip catheter (group 2, n = 269). Four patients were excluded. Main outcome measures included pregnancy rate and live birth rate per cycle.
RESULTS
Both groups were similar with regard to female age, duration of infertility, ovarian stimulation and sperm quality. No significant differences were observed between group 1 and group 2 regarding clinical pregnancy rate per cycle (20 versus 19%), live birth rate per cycle (15 versus 14%), multiple live birth rate per cycle (4 versus 6%) and multiple live birth per total of live births (5 versus 8%, overall 6%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our hypothesis that IUI using a soft tip catheter results in a higher live birth rate per cycle than IUI using a hard-tip catheter was not confirmed in this study. Multiple live birth rate after treatment with low-dose gonadotrophins and IUI can be kept low (6%).
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