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Danazol for unexplained subfertility
1McMaster University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1200 Main St West, Room HSC-4F7, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaL8N 3Z5. hughese@mcmaster.ca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|January 27, 2007
Summary
Danazol offers no proven benefit for unexplained subfertility, despite its initial development for endometriosis. Its use is not recommended due to side effects and costs.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Danazol, a synthetic androgen, was developed in the 1970s for endometriosis treatment.
- Its application was later extended to women experiencing unexplained subfertility.
- Two randomized trials were conducted to evaluate danazol's efficacy in this patient group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of danazol on live birth rates in women with unexplained subfertility.
- To review existing randomized trials concerning danazol's effectiveness for subfertility.
Main Methods:
- Searched specialized trial registers including Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to November 2006.
- Included randomized trials comparing danazol with placebo or no treatment for unexplained subfertility.
- Data extraction performed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Two trials with 71 women were analyzed.
- No statistically significant difference in live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates was observed between danazol and placebo groups.
- While clinical pregnancies during follow-up were higher with danazol, this did not translate to live births; multiple side effects were reported.
Conclusions:
- Current data do not support the use of danazol for unexplained subfertility.
- The adverse effects, costs, and need for contraception during treatment outweigh potential benefits.
- Long-term pregnancy rate increases may be linked to other therapies, not danazol itself.
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