ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of sildenafil citrate in improving ovulation induction success rate in women with unexplained infertility. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial from January to December 2018 of 80 women with unexplained infertility randomized into two groups. Both groups received 100 mg clomiphene citrate once daily from days 3-7 of the menstrual cycle. The study group also received 25 mg oral sildenafil citrate twice daily from days 8-12 of the same cycle. Transvaginal ultrasound assessed ovulation, endometrial thickness, and number of follicles. Pregnancy was assessed 2 weeks after ovulation. Primary outcome measures were endometrial thickness, number of mature follicles, and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Pregnancy rates (26 (65%) and 16 (40%), P=0.043) and endometrial thickness (10.4 ± 1.4 and 9.2 ± 1.9, P=0.007) were significantly higher in the study group. More women in the study group reported adverse effects compared with the control group (17 [42.5%] vs 9 [22.5%]; P=0.034), with headache the most common adverse effect in the study group, reported by 8 (20.0%) patients. CONCLUSION: Adding sildenafil citrate improved ovulation success rate and increased pregnancy rate. PAN AFRICAN CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: PACTR201907658492123.
