Is there a link between the use of ovulation induction drugs and ovarian cancer?
In recent years, a multitude of studies have been published, attempting to find an association between the risk of ovarian cancer and environment factors, hereditary factors, and reproductive history. However, conclusive studies are scarce for a number of reasons. All examined associations appear to be weak, and the etiology of ovarian cancer appears to be multifactorial. This requires a large number of patients to reach any firm conclusion, and, based on the small number of ovarian cancers in the general population, it is difficult to find enough cases to demonstrate that a certain factor increases the risk of developing cancer. Ovulation induction medications fall into two groups: • The first type of medication is clomiphene citrate (Clomid and Serophene). This medication stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete the hormones LH and FSH, which in turn stimulate the ovaries. It is not a natural compound, and is a relative of tamoxifen and DES. • The second group of ovulation inducing
