Aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of unexplained female infertility

Abstract

When considering treatment options for couples with unexplained infertility the initial approach often involves intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with ovulation induction. Aromatase inhibition is a newer method of ovulation induction that has been used and studied as an alternative to clomiphene citrate (CC) to treat patients with unexplained infertility. Letrozole has been studied for its use as an adjunct to assisted reproductive technologies in an attempt to minimize the dose of costly gonadotropins needed and to overcome the adverse peripheral effects of clomiphene on the endometrium. Use of letrozole may eventually supersede that of clomiphene if the results of ongoing multicenter trials provide definitive evidence that letrozole has similar efficacy to gonadotropins or CC with a favorable side-effect profile and reduced cost.