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Because prostaglandins play an important role in ovulation, there has been concern that treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might delay or inhibit ovulation. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover study of 12 healthy, menstruating women (age range, 20 to 40), Illinois researchers examined the effect of oral ibuprofen on indicators of ovulation: urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, follicular collapse (assayed by transvaginal ultrasonography), and midluteal serum progesterone levels.
Participants were randomized to receive either ibuprofen (800 mg 3 times daily) or placebo when the maximal diameter of their largest follicle reached 16 mm on ultrasound (i.e., close to ovulation); medication was co…