Effects of chronic urticaria on ovarian reserve

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the ovarian reserve in women with chronic urticaria (CU). Methods: Thirty women with CU and twenty nine healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured on cycle day 2. All patients underwent transvaginal ultrasonographic examination on the second day of their menstrual cycle to assess Antral Follicle Count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV). The disease activity of CU was measured with the urticaria control test (UCT) and urticaria activity score (UAS). Results: Women with CU had significantly lower concentrations of AMH, AFC, and E2 than controls. Additionally, total AFC and ovarian volume were significantly lower in women with CU than in the control group. UAS and UCT were positively associated with FSH and negatively associated with AMH, AFC, and OV. Conclusion: This is the first prospective controlled study to examine ovarian reserve in women with CU. In this study, we found that ovarian reserve was significantly reduced in women with CU. CU may negatively affect the ovarian reserve but the mechanism of this effect is unclear.