Document Detail


Infertility associated with precoital ovulation in observant Jewish couples; prevalence, treatment, efficacy and side effects.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22693790     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Religious (halachic*) infertility' results from precoital ovulation prior to immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh) 7 days after menstruation, as mandated by Jewish religious law. Previous authors recommended treatment with estradiol to postpone ovulation and enhance pregnancy rates.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of halachic infertility in an ultra-Orthodox jewish community, and assess the efficacy of estradiol treatment in postponing ovulation and increasing pregnancy rates.
METHODS: We reviewed 88 cycles, of which 23 were control cycles and 65 estradiol-treated cycles, and analyzed the files of 23 women who were treated with 6 mg estradiol/day from day 1 for 5 days of the cycle.
RESULTS: The prevalence of precoital ovulation in the infertile population was 21%. Most of the patients (94%) ovulated before day 13 of the cycle. A short follicular phase due to low ovarian reserve orthyroid endocrinopathy was noted in 12% of the patients. While 64% of the women reported consultation with a Rabbinate authority, 68% of the patients sought medical therapy. Estradiol postponed ovulation for at least one day in 89% of the treatment cycles. Ovulation post-mikveh occurred in 73% of estradiol-treated cycles. The pregnancy rate was 12.5% per cycle and the cumulative pregnancy rate 35% per woman. Half the patients reported spotting during estradiol-treated cycles, and this postponed coitus.
CONCLUSIONS: Precoital ovulation is a major reason for infertility among observant couples attending fertility clinics. Estradiol treatment is effective in delaying ovulation and restoring fecundity; however, it causes some adverse effects that may decrease its effectiveness.
Authors:
Ronit Haimov-Kochman; Chana Adler; Eliana Ein-Mor; Daniel Rosenak; Arye Hurwitz
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ     Volume:  14     ISSN:  1565-1088     ISO Abbreviation:  Isr. Med. Assoc. J.     Publication Date:  2012 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-06-14     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100930740     Medline TA:  Isr Med Assoc J     Country:  Israel    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  100-3     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel. kochman@hadassah.org.il
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