The objective of this study was to compare letrozole-stimulated cycles to natural cycles in 208 patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) between July of 2004 and January of 2007. Group I (n = 47) received cycle monitoring only (natural group), Group II (n = 125) received letrozole 2.5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven, and Group III (n = 36) received letrozole 5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven. There were no differences between the groups in endometrial thickness or P4 on the day of hCG. Estradiol levels had higher variation in the second half of the follicular phase in both letrozole-treated groups compared to the control group. Estradiol per preovulatory follicle was similar in both letrozole cycles to that observed in the natural cycles. LH was lower on the day of hCG administration in the letrozole 2.5 mg/day group vs. the natural group. In summary, letrozole results in some minor changes in follicular, hormonal and endometrial dynamics compared to natural cycles. Increased folliculogenesis and pregnancy rates were observed in the letrozole-treated groups compared to the natural group. These findings need to be confirmed in larger, prospective studies.

The objective of this study was to compare letrozole-stimulated cycles to natural cycles in 208 patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) between July of 2004 and January of 2007. Group I (n = 47) received cycle monitoring only (natural group), Group II (n = 125) received letrozole 2.5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven, and Group III (n = 36) received letrozole 5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven. There were no differences between the groups in endometrial thickness or P4 on the day of hCG. Estradiol levels had higher variation in the second half of the follicular phase in both letrozole-treated groups compared to the control group. Estradiol per preovulatory follicle was similar in both letrozole cycles to that observed in the natural cycles. LH was lower on the day of hCG administration in the letrozole 2.5 mg/day group vs. the natural group. In summary, letrozole results in some minor changes in follicular, hormonal and endometrial dynamics compared to natural cycles. Increased folliculogenesis and pregnancy rates were observed in the letrozole-treated groups compared to the natural group. These findings need to be confirmed in larger, prospective studies.

The objective of this study was to compare letrozole-stimulated cycles to natural cycles in 208 patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) between July of 2004 and January of 2007. Group I (n = 47) received cycle monitoring only (natural group), Group II (n = 125) received letrozole 2.5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven, and Group III (n = 36) received letrozole 5 mg/day on cycle days three to seven. There were no differences between the groups in endometrial thickness or P4 on the day of hCG. Estradiol levels had higher variation in the second half of the follicular phase in both letrozole-treated groups compared to the control group. Estradiol per preovulatory follicle was similar in both letrozole cycles to that observed in the natural cycles. LH was lower on the day of hCG administration in the letrozole 2.5 mg/day group vs. the natural group. In summary, letrozole results in some minor changes in follicular, hormonal and endometrial dynamics compared to natural cycles. Increased folliculogenesis and pregnancy rates were observed in the letrozole-treated groups compared to the natural group. These findings need to be confirmed in larger, prospective studies.

Bckground: The main cause for discontinuation of DMPA use is irregular menstrual bleeding. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of irregular bleeding have remained unclear. Transvaginal Doppler is a non invasive method for studying changes of blood flow which may highlight the underlying pathology in those cases with irregular uterine bleeding. The aim of the study was to quantify the uterine and subendometrial microvasculature in DMPA users with irregular bleeding pattern in comparison to DMPA users with amenorrhea .Study design: This is a case control study. Forty users of DMPA were divided into two groups: one group included 20 users with irregular uterine bleeding and the second group included 20 amenorrheic users. Pulsatility Index (PI) and resistant Index (RI) of uterine and subendometrial blood vessels were determined. Power Doppler Energy (PWE) used to qunitify the subendometrial area signal percentage. Results: There is significant reduction of PI and RI in uterine artery and subendometrial microvasculature in cases with irregular uterine bleeding. Conclusion: Irregular uterine bleeding with DMPA associated with increased perfusion of uterine and subendometrial blood vessels. Key words: DMPA, PI, RI, subendometrial doppler

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 150 women using DMPA and 136 women using nonhormonal methods of contraception in rural Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socioeconomic scores were measured using the 1983 Fahmy and El Sherbeny system, model II. The mineral density of the left calcaneus was measured by ultrasonographically. Results: If the overall mean T score was significantly lower for the DMPA than for the control group, osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent among DMPA users only for participants of the lowest socioeconomic level. There was a mild negative correlation between duration of DMPA use and T score, and when contraception duration was considered the differences in T scores between the DMPA and control groups were significant. Conclusion: Prescribing DMPA only for the short term to women of a low socioeconomic level and counseling them about its effect on bone density may be a practical approach.