According to researchers in the Netherlands, women with PCOS undergoing fertility treatments may need to have tubal patency testing and partners may need to submit to a semen analysis to improve pregnancy rates. The study, completed using a systematic review of previously completed studies, was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
Researchers evaluated four studies with more than 3,000 women utilizing Clomiphene citrate as the first fertility treatment. Male infertility was associated with 10% of the cases. Azoospermia was found in just 0.3% of cases. Tubal disease was reported in 4% of cases.
When researchers looked into three additional studies reporting on women receiving second-line treatment due to the failure of Clomiphene citrate, the rate of tubal disease increased to 8% of cases.
The largest of the study reviews reported a 10% rate of male infertility and tubal disease appeared in a significant percentage of infertility cases across all studies. Researchers believe semen analysis and tubal patency testing should be part of the basic PCOS infertility workup.
Source: Nahuis MJ, Oosterhuis GJ, Hompes PG, van Wely M, Mol BW, van der Veen F. The basic fertility workup in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Fertil Steril. 2013 Apr 12. pii: S0015-0282(13)00416-0. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.03.015.