OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of superovulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (r-FSH) therapy and intrauterine insemination in the treatment of idiopathic infertility.

METHODSSuperovulation with r-FSH therapy and intrauterine insemination were used in 202 cycles of 88 couples in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Monash Medical Centre.

RESULTSThe per cycle ovulation rate and in-ovulation rate were 95.7% and 4.3% respectively, and the per cycle pregnancy rate was 11.6% with no cases of hyperstimulation. The cancelling rate was 7.4% because of the development of multiple follicles. The overall cumulative conception rate was 22.7% per patient, with 15% of twin pregnancies. There were no differences between pregnancy group and non-pregnancy group in age, BMI, treatment days, number of mature follicles, endometrial thickness and number of treatment cycles. The only significant parameter observed between the two groups was infertility time (P < 0.05), which was longer in non-pregnancy group [(30.52 +/- 13.08) months] than in pregnancy group [(24.25 +/- 6.45) months].

CONCLUSIONSSuperovulation and intrauterine insemination is a safe and more cost-effective method in treatment of idiopathic infertility.