Vaginal progesterone as luteal phase support in an IVF/GIFT programme

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 35 - 38
• Main Authors: Polson, D.W., Rogers, P.A.W., Krapez, J.A., Leeton, J.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 21.08.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Intravaginal; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Clomiphene - therapeutic use; Embryo Transfer - methods; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - methods; Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer - methods; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; IVF program; Luteal phase; Luteal Phase - drug effects; Medical sciences; Menotropins - therapeutic use; Pessaries; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Ectopic - prevention & control; Progesterone - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Vaginal progesterone; Vaginal progesterone; Luteal phase; IVF program; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Human; Chemotherapy; Vaginal route; Assisted procreation; Gamete intrafallopian transfer; Progesterone; Sex steroid hormone; Progestagen
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/0028-2243(92)90276-5

To determine whether luteal phase support with vaginal progesterone could improve pregnancy rates in our IVF/GIFT programme, we performed a prospective randomised controlled study. After stimulation with clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin, 123 women received no luteal support and 122 received progesterone pessaries 100 mg b.d. from 48 hours prior to embryo transfer and continued throughout the luteal phase. There was no difference in the pregnancy rate following IVF/ET ( 6 58 and 10 58 for the pessary and control group respectively), but a significantly higher rate was noted for GIFT ( 13 34 and 5 42 for the pessary and control group respectively; P < 0.05). Of interest, only one of the 19 pregnancies using luteal support was extra-uterine, compared with 6 15 in the control group.