Predictors of pregnancy and live birth after insemination in couples with unexplained or male-factor infertility

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors for pregnancy outcomes in couples treated with intracervical or intrauterine insemination, with or without superovulation for unexplained or male-factor infertility.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized superovulation and intrauterine insemination trial.

Setting: Academic medical centers.

Intervention(s): Treatment continued for four cycles unless pregnancy was achieved.

Patient(s): Out of 932 couples randomized to four treatment groups, 664 couples who had completed the lifestyle questionnaires were assessed for occurrence of pregnancy and live birth.

Main outcome measure(s): Pregnancy and live birth.

Result(s): The pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in couples in which the female partners reported that they had consumed coffee or tea in the past or drank alcoholic beverages in the past (past users) compared with those who had never consumed coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages. Past users also had significantly higher pregnancy and live birth rates than those currently consuming coffee or tea or alcoholic beverages. Demographic, occupational exposure, and other lifestyle factors were not significant.

Conclusion(s): Couples in which the female partners drank coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages in the past had higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared with never or current users. When discontinuing these habits, they might have made other lifestyle changes to improve the pregnancy outcome.