Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
WITHDRAWN: Bromocriptine for unexplained subfertility in women
E Hughes1, J Collins, P Vandekerckhove
1McMaster University, Rm HSC-4F7, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecol, 1200 Main St West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5. hughese@mcmaster.ca
Background:
Bromocriptine improves hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea and so could also be helpful in the treatment of unexplained subfertility in women.
Objectives:
To assess the effects of bromocriptine in women with unexplained subfertility.
Search Strategy:
The Cochrane Subfertility Review Group specialised register of controlled trials was searched.
Selection Criteria:
Randomised trials comparing bromocriptine with placebo or no treatment in women with unexplained subfertility.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two reviewers applied the eligibility criteria and assessed trial quality independently.
Main Results:
Three trials involving of 127 women were included. All trials were double-blind comparisons with placebo, and one was of crossover design. Conception rates with bromocriptine treatment did not improve compared with placebo (odds ratio was 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 2.57).
Authors' Conclusions:
There is not enough evidence to evaluate bromocriptine use in women with unexplained subfertility. However trials for women with unexplained subfertility who also have expressible galactorrhea may be worthwhile.
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Infertility in Males
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.