Hormonal Profiles And Aetiologies Of Infertility Among Women Attending The Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit At Douala GynaecoObstetric And Paediatric Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Hormonal assessment is essential for ovulation and ovarian reserve evaluation, but data from Cameroon's infertility services remain limited.The study described hormonal profiles in women receiving infertility care at HGOPED, compared distributions by age, body mass index (BMI), and aetiology, and described infertility types and indications for assisted reproductive technology (ART).Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study using records dated January 2024 to December 2025.Women aged >18 years with infertility and at least one valid luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol, or anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) result were eligible.Quantitative variables were summarised using means or medians, and qualitative variables as n/N (%).Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman correlations were applied with Benjamini-Hochberg correction.Results: Mean age was 34.0 ± 7.2 years (n = 24).Secondary infertility accounted for 13/24 (54.2%) of cases, and irregular cycles for 14/22 (63.6%).Median hormone concentrations were 10.42 IU/L for LH (n = 23), 60.00 pg/mL for oestradiol (n = 20), 1.70 ng/mL for AMH (n = 21), and 8.90 IU/L for FSH (n = 24).The leading standardised aetiology was ovarian/ovulatory (24.0%).Differences in AMH and oestradiol concentrations across age groups were not statistically significant after adjustment (adjusted P = 0.058).Age was inversely correlated with AMH (ρ = -0.628;adjusted P = 0.011) and positively correlated with oestradiol (ρ = 0.595; adjusted P = 0.011).Conclusion: Secondary infertility, irregular cycles, and ovarian/ovulatory aetiologies predominated at HGOPED.