‘Letrozole’ Helps Improve Fertility in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Study
Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome can conceive by taking the breast cancer inhibiting drug 'Letrozole', finds a new study.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder affecting nearly 5 to 10 percent of women of reproductive age. Women with this condition suffer from infertility problems, irregular menstruation and acne and have too much facial hair and abdominal obesity. Researchers from the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine found intake of letrozole a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor drug, is more beneficial in improving fertility and reproductive health of women with PCOS than conventional fertility treatments. Letrozole is generally prescribed to women with estrogen-receptive breast cancer after surgery.
The current study examined 750 women with PCOS aged between 18 and 40 who were either given letrozole or clomiphene citrate, a common medication given to treat anovualtion. The participants received these drugs for five cycles and each time their dose levels were increased.
At the end of the trial, subjects who were on letrozole had 27.5 percent higher rate of live births compared to 19.1 percent in women who took clomiphene. During monthly checkups, the experts noted higher rate of ovulation in women after giving letrozole.
It was also observed that participants reported experiencing hot flashes on taking clomiphene and letrozole also caused fatigue and slight giddiness in PCOS patients.
"Clomiphene has its drawbacks. It's only 22 percent successful with up to six cycles of treatment in producing a successful birth, it has a high multiple-pregnancy rate in comparison to unassisted conception, and it has side effects including hot flashes and mood changes," said Richard Legro, study author and professor of obstetrics and gynecologist at the Pennsylvania State University, in a news release.
However, the study did not record any incidence of birth defects resulting from mothers' intake of infertility treatment medicines.
More information is available online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
© MD News Daily.