Use of phenazopyridine for reducing discomfort during embryo transfer.

Author(s): Frishman GN, Allsworth JE, Gannon JB, Wright KP.

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants' Hospital, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02905, USA. Gary.Frishman@brown.edu

Publication date & source: 2007, Fertil Steril. , 87(5):1010-4

OBJECTIVE: The embryo transfer is a critical part of in vitro fertilization. When performed under abdominal ultrasound guidance, the embryo transfer procedure requires a full bladder. Patients often state that the discomfort of the distended bladder causes more pain than the actual transfer procedure. Phenazopyridine HCl is a bladder analgesic. The objective of this study was to determine if a single dose of phenazopyridine prior to embryo transfer reduces patient discomfort during that procedure. DESIGN: Prospective randomized double-blinded clinical trial. SETTING: University-based Reproductive Medicine practice. PATIENT(S): Eighty-five reproductive age infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization. INTERVENTION(S): Phenazopyridine (200 mg) or placebo taken 1 hour prior to embryo transfer utilizing transabdominal sonography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pain as assessed by visual analogue pain scale and physician and nurse assessment of patient discomfort. RESULT(S): Study groups were similar in their demographic background. Mean pain score as assessed by a visual analogue pain scale during the procedure was 2.95 +/- 2.4 in the placebo group, and 3.03 +/- 2.6 in the active medication group (NS). There were also no significant differences in the observations of pain assessments. CONCLUSION(S): Phenazopyridine used in a single dose prior to embryo transfer does not alleviate patient discomfort.