Expert: Scott Roseff, MD, FACOG - 5/10/2007

Question
I was diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea after much testing. I have extremely low estradiol levels (below 20) and obviously do not respond to clomid. My endocrinologist is about to start me on follistim. Because of financial concerns, we are very limited on the number of cycles we can do. Can you tell me roughly what the success rate (pregnancy rate) is for a woman with hypothalamic amenorrhea with otherwise no other problems? Also, how common is it for a woman with hypothalamic amenorrhea to have estradiol levels THAT low? Thanks.

Answer
Hi,

That estradiol level is common in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea.  The success rate of Follistim/IUI depends very much on the expertise of the fertility doctor -- Are you seeing a board certified reproductive endocrinologist?  It also depends on the woman's age.

As a broad generalization, under age 35, the success rate for one cycle is about 25% (at least it is in my practice).

Good luck!
Dr. Roseff, Director - Palm Beach Center for Reproductive Medicine
PERSONALIZED/Individualized Successful care by a Board Certified Reproductive Medicine specialist in a warm and caring setting....  Visit us in Wellington, Florida!
www.reproendo.com/different.htm
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