Outlining the practical options for coping with the shortcomings of vaginal progesterone recently unveiled in frozen embryo transfers: a story drafted in Turkey

Comparison of the effect of dydrogesterone and natural micronized progesterone for luteal-phase support in assisted reproductive technology cycles: A single-blind randomized clinical trial study

Background and Aims

One of the causes of preterm labor and recurrent abortion is progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase. The aim of the study was a comparison of the effect of oral dydrogesterone and vaginal progesterone for luteal-phase support (LPS) in assisted reproductive technology cycles (ART).

Methods

This randomized clinical control trial study was conducted on 207 infertile women. Samples were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received a natural micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) of 400 mg once daily and the second group received dydrogesterone (Duphestone) 20 mg twice daily. Then chemical pregnancy, abortion, and live births were compared in two groups.

Results

The results of the study showed that the vaginal form of the drug could increase the chance of pregnancy (positive β-human chorionic gonadotropin) versus the oral form. According to the results of multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for other variables, the live birth rate in the vaginal group was more than five times that of the oral group (odds ratio = 5.07; 95% confidence interval = 1.24-20.65; p = 0.023).

Conclusion

The vaginal form of the progesterone could increase the chance of pregnancy and the outcome of fertility (live birth). Thus, vaginal progesterone is effective for LPS in women undergoing fresh embryo transfer.