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Kastora SL, Gkova G, Stavridis K, Balachandren N, Kastoras A, Karakatsanis A, Mavrelos D. Comparison of luteal support protocols in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles: a network meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14492. [PMID: 38914570 PMCID: PMC11196689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64804-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the proven superiority of various luteal phase support protocols (LPS) over placebo in view of improved pregnancy rates in fresh cycles of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles, there is ongoing controversy over specific LPS protocol selection, dosage, and duration. The aim of the present study was to identify the optimal LPS under six core aspects of ART success, clinical pregnancy, live birth as primary outcomes and biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, multiple pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) events as secondary outcomes. Twelve databases, namely Embase (OVID), MEDLINE (R) (OVID), GlobalHealth (Archive), GlobalHealth, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, Maternity & Infant Care Database (MIDIRS), APA PsycTests, ClinicalTrials.gov, HMIC Health Management Information Consortium, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus and two prospective registers, MedRxiv, Research Square were searched from inception to Aug.1st, 2023, (PROSPERO Registration: CRD42022358986). Only Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included. Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) model was employed for outcome analysis, presenting fixed effects, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credibility intervals (CrIs). Vaginal Progesterone (VP) was considered the reference LPS given its' clinical relevance. Seventy-six RCTs, comparing 22 interventions, and including 26,536 participants were included in the present NMA. Overall CiNeMa risk of bias was deemed moderate, and network inconsistency per outcome was deemed low (Multiple pregnancy χ2: 0.11, OHSS χ2: 0.26), moderate (Clinical Pregnancy: χ2: 7.02, Live birth χ2: 10.95, Biochemical pregnancy: χ2: 6.60, Miscarriage: χ2: 11.305). Combinatorial regimens, with subcutaneous GnRH-a (SCGnRH-a) on a vaginal progesterone base and oral oestrogen (OE) appeared to overall improve clinical pregnancy events; VP + OE + SCGnRH-a [OR 1.57 (95% CrI 1.11 to 2.22)], VP + SCGnRH-a [OR 1.28 (95% CrI 1.05 to 1.55)] as well as live pregnancy events, VP + OE + SCGnRH-a [OR 8.81 (95% CrI 2.35 to 39.1)], VP + SCGnRH-a [OR 1.76 (95% CrI 1.45 to 2.15)]. Equally, the progesterone free LPS, intramuscular human chorionic gonadotrophin, [OR 9.67 (95% CrI 2.34, 73.2)] was also found to increase live birth events, however was also associated with an increased probability of ovarian hyperstimulation, [OR 1.64 (95% CrI 0.75, 3.71)]. The combination of intramuscular and vaginal progesterone was associated with higher multiple pregnancy events, [OR 7.09 (95% CrI 2.49, 31.)]. Of all LPS protocols, VP + SC GnRH-a was found to significantly reduce miscarriage events, OR 0.54 (95% CrI 0.37 to 0.80). Subgroup analysis according to ovarian stimulation (OS) protocol revealed that the optimal LPS across both long and short OS, taking into account increase in live birth and reduction in miscarriage as well as OHSS events, was VP + SCGnRH-a, with an OR 2.89 [95% CrI 1.08, 2.96] and OR 2.84 [95% CrI 1.35, 6.26] respectively. Overall, NMA data suggest that combinatorial treatments, with the addition of SCGnRH-a on a VP base result in improved clinical pregnancy and live birth events in both GnRH-agonist and antagonist ovarian stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavroula L Kastora
- UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Medical School Building, Room G15, 86-96 Chenies Mews, 74 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6HX, UK.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Barnet Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Grigoria Gkova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Barnet Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Konstantinos Stavridis
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, "Aretaieion" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Neerujah Balachandren
- UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Medical School Building, Room G15, 86-96 Chenies Mews, 74 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
| | - Athanasios Kastoras
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, "Leto" Maternity Hospital, Mouson Str. 7-13, 11524, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Karakatsanis
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Section for Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital (Akademiska), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dimitrios Mavrelos
- UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Medical School Building, Room G15, 86-96 Chenies Mews, 74 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
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Tetruashvili N, Domar A, Bashiri A. Prevention of Pregnancy Loss: Combining Progestogen Treatment and Psychological Support. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051827. [PMID: 36902614 PMCID: PMC10003391 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy loss can be defined as a loss before either 20 or 24 weeks of gestation (based on the first day of the last menstrual period) or the loss of an embryo or fetus less than 400 g in weight if the gestation age is unknown. Approximately 23 million pregnancy losses occur worldwide every year, equating to 15-20% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. A pregnancy loss is usually associated with physical consequences, such as early pregnancy bleeding ranging in severity from spotting to hemorrhage. However, it can also be associated with profound psychological distress, which can be felt by both partners and may include feelings of denial, shock, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide. Progesterone plays a key part in the maintenance of a pregnancy, and progesterone supplementation has been assessed as a preventative measure in patients at increased risk of experiencing a pregnancy loss. The primary objective of this piece is to assess the evidence for various progestogen formulations in the treatment of threatened and recurrent pregnancy loss, postulating that an optimal treatment plan would preferably include a validated psychological support tool as an adjunct to appropriate pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Tetruashvili
- V.I. Kulakov Obstetrics, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 117977 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alice Domar
- Inception Fertility, Houston, TX 77081, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Asher Bashiri
- Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er-Sheva 84101, Israel
- Maternity C Ward & Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Prevention Clinic, Maternal Fetal Medicine and Ultrasound, Soroka University Medical Center, Be’er-Sheva 84101, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-08-6400842
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Ikechebelu JI, Dim CC, Eleje GU, Joe-Ikechebelu N, Okpala BC, Okam PC. A randomised control trial on oral dydrogesterone versus micronized vaginal progesterone pessary for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization cycles. J Med Life 2023; 16:62-69. [PMID: 36873122 PMCID: PMC9979184 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rates, adverse reactions, and medication costs of two luteal phase support regimens: oral dydrogesterone and micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) pessary in in vitro fertilization cycles. A randomized open-label trial with participants randomly assigned to either 400 mg MVP twice daily or 10 mg dydrogesterone three times daily. The primary endpoints were pregnancy rates, and the secondary endpoints included tolerance, miscarriage rates, and medication cost. Per-protocol principle analysis was performed. The baseline characteristics of the 162 participants were similar. Dydrogesterone had statistically similar (p>0.05) positive pregnancy test rates fifteen days post embryo transfer (35.8% vs. 32.7%), clinical pregnancy rates at the gestational age of 6 weeks (32.1% vs. 28.8%), ongoing pregnancy rates (26.4% vs. 23.1%) and miscarriage rates at 14 weeks of gestation (9.2% vs. 9.4%) and safety profile to MVP. Dydrogesterone was better tolerated as vaginal itching was significantly more prevalent in the MVP arm (p=0.008). Dydrogesterone is significantly less expensive than MVP pessary. Oral dydrogesterone and MVP pessary had similar pregnancy rates and adverse effects. Dydrogesterone appears more user-friendly and less expensive in cases of luteal-phase support in in vitro fertilization cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.,Life Fertility Centre, Life International Hospital, Awka, Nigeria.,Institute of Maternal and Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Cyril Chukwudi Dim
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - George Uchenna Eleje
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.,Institute of Maternal and Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu
- Life Fertility Centre, Life International Hospital, Awka, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria
| | - Boniface Chukwuneme Okpala
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.,Life Fertility Centre, Life International Hospital, Awka, Nigeria
| | - Princeston Chukwuemeka Okam
- Life Fertility Centre, Life International Hospital, Awka, Nigeria.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
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A critical appraisal of safety data of dydrogesterone for the support of early pregnancy: a scoping review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:365-373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide an evidence-based safety and tolerability overview of dydrogesterone under various progesterone-deficient conditions as a commemoration of its role in managing women's reproductive health over the past 60 years. METHODS To identify relevant publications, we used a semi-systematic approach, which included performing a structured search through the PubMed and Cochrane central databases as well as an unstructured search for publications published in English from 2010 onward with human clinical data. RESULTS A total of 32 relevant clinical studies were identified. Results were reported in the context of overall adverse events (AEs) and segregated according to various progesterone-deficient conditions. AEs concerning breasts (breast cancer risk), the endometrium (endometrial cancer risk), venous thromboembolism risk, and cardiovascular risk were found to be minimal when dydrogesterone was used as part of a menopausal hormone therapy regimen lasting ≤260 weeks. Vagina-related AEs, such as bleeding, discharge, irritation, and difficult coitus, occurred less frequently with dydrogesterone when used as luteal phase support in the context of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). However, other common AEs, such as headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, flatulence, and nausea, occurred more frequently with dydrogesterone. No maternal complications or congenital anomalies could be linked to dydrogesterone usage during ARTs or during early pregnancy to prevent recurrent miscarriages. Studies on dydrogesterone in endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome remain scarce. CONCLUSIONS Post-approval, dydrogesterone has displayed a favorable safety and tolerability profile during its 60-year use, which is reassuring, considering its important role in managing women's reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Ott
- Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Egarter
- Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Dashti S, Eftekhar M. Luteal-phase support in assisted reproductive technology: An ongoing challenge. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021; 19:761-772. [PMID: 34723055 PMCID: PMC8548747 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i9.9708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that in controlled ovarian hyper stimulation cycles, defective
luteal phase is common. There are many protocols for improving pregnancy
outcomes in women undergoing fresh and frozen in vitro fertilization cycles.
These approaches include progesterone supplements, human chorionic gonadotropin,
estradiol, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, and recombinant luteinizing
hormone. The main challenge is luteal-phase support (LPS) in cycles with
gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist triggering. There is still controversy
about the optimal component and time for starting LPS in assisted reproductive
technology cycles. This review aims to summarize the various protocols suggested
for LPS in in vitro fertilization cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeideh Dashti
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Maryam Eftekhar
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Xu H, Zhang XQ, Zhu XL, Weng HN, Xu LQ, Huang L, Liu FH. Comparison of vaginal progesterone gel combined with oral dydrogesterone versus intramuscular progesterone for luteal support in hormone replacement therapy-frozen embryo transfer cycle. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2021; 50:102110. [PMID: 33727207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2021.102110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains under subject of debate regarding the optimal route of luteal support for hormone replacement therapy- frozen embryo transfer (HRT-FET) cycles. We compared efficacy of vaginal progesterone gel combined with oral dydrogesterone and intramuscular progesterone for HRT-FET lutein support. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study. After matching for propensity score of getting vaginal + oral treatment, a total of 208 FET cycles in the vaginal progesterone combined with oral dydrogesterone and 624 cycles in the intramuscular progesterone group were enrolled. Pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes including chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, spontaneous abortion rate, live birth rate, gestational weeks, pre-term delivery, birth weight, and congenital anomalies rate were compared. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in patient characteristics such as age, duration of infertility, type of infertility, or hormone level after matching. Chemical pregnancy rate (68.3 % versus 70.5 %), clinical pregnancy rate (64.9 % versus 64.4 %), implantation rate (52.3 % versus 50.2 %), spontaneous abortion rate (21.5 % versus 18.4 %), and live birth rate (49.0 % versus 51.3 %) were similar in both group without statistically significant difference. No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION We observed similar pregnancy outcomes in both vaginal progesterone gel combined with oral dydrogesterone and intramuscular progesterone protocol. Vaginal progesterone gel combined with oral dydrogesterone can be substituted for intramuscular progesterone given that vaginal plus oral use has good safety and is more convenient and may be associated with less side effect caused by intramuscular injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Xi-Qian Zhang
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Xiu-Lan Zhu
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Hui-Nan Weng
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Li-Qing Xu
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Li Huang
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Feng-Hua Liu
- Reproductive Health and Infertility Department, Guangdong Woman and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China.
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