Hypothalamic-pituitary suppression with oral contraceptive pills does not improve outcome in poor responder patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles
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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery
Published on: May 9, 2021
1Department of OB/GYN, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Mazer Bldg. Rm. 316, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate and compare the use of OCP with GnRHa for hypothalamic-pituitary suppression in poor responder IVF patients.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of IVF-ET cycles of poor responders. Hypothalamic-pituitary suppression with OCP (Group I, n = 29) or GnRHa (Group II, n = 52), followed by stimulation with gonadotropin, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer. Baseline characteristics and cycle outcomes were compared.
Results:
73 women underwent 81 cycles from 1/1/1999 to 1/1/2000. Baseline characteristics were similar. 31/81 (38%) cycles were cancelled (Group I, 14/29 (48%) vs. Group II, 17/52 (33%), NS). Cycle outcomes including amount of gonadotropin, number of eggs retrieved, number of embryos transferred, and embryo quality were similar. Patients in Group I required fewer days of stimulation to reach oocyte retrieval. Pregnancy outcomes were similar in the two groups.
Conclusion:
Our retrospective analysis revealed no improvement in IVF cycle outcomes in poor responders who received OCPs to achieve hypothalamic-pituitary suppression instead of GnRHa.
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