Is luteal phase support with hCG or vaginal micronised progesterone beneficial in non-IVF gonadotropin induction of ovulation?

Abstract

ObjectiveIt is still debated whether ovulation induction with gonadotropins is associated with luteal phase defect and whether supplementation alters outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of hCG and vaginal micronised progesterone in the luteal phase.DesignProspective, randomised, cross-over study in a tertiary health care hospital.Materials and methodsA total of 30 patients who were undergoing gonadotropin induction were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to: 400 mg. vaginal micronised progesterone; hCG 1500 IU on days 3, 6 and 9 or no luteal phase support in alternating ovulation induction cycles. In this way all patients served as their own control group. Luteal phase dynamics were evaluated for luteal phase length, mid luteal progesterone levels, side effects of the treatment and pregnancy rates.ResultsLuteal phase was longer and was associated with higher progesterone levels in hCG and progesterone supplemented cycles. Other parameters that were evaluated were not statistically significantly different (Table).Conclusion ObjectiveIt is still debated whether ovulation induction with gonadotropins is associated with luteal phase defect and whether supplementation alters outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of hCG and vaginal micronised progesterone in the luteal phase. It is still debated whether ovulation induction with gonadotropins is associated with luteal phase defect and whether supplementation alters outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of hCG and vaginal micronised progesterone in the luteal phase. DesignProspective, randomised, cross-over study in a tertiary health care hospital. Prospective, randomised, cross-over study in a tertiary health care hospital. Materials and methodsA total of 30 patients who were undergoing gonadotropin induction were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to: 400 mg. vaginal micronised progesterone; hCG 1500 IU on days 3, 6 and 9 or no luteal phase support in alternating ovulation induction cycles. In this way all patients served as their own control group. Luteal phase dynamics were evaluated for luteal phase length, mid luteal progesterone levels, side effects of the treatment and pregnancy rates. A total of 30 patients who were undergoing gonadotropin induction were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to: 400 mg. vaginal micronised progesterone; hCG 1500 IU on days 3, 6 and 9 or no luteal phase support in alternating ovulation induction cycles. In this way all patients served as their own control group. Luteal phase dynamics were evaluated for luteal phase length, mid luteal progesterone levels, side effects of the treatment and pregnancy rates. ResultsLuteal phase was longer and was associated with higher progesterone levels in hCG and progesterone supplemented cycles. Other parameters that were evaluated were not statistically significantly different (Table). Luteal phase was longer and was associated with higher progesterone levels in hCG and progesterone supplemented cycles. Other parameters that were evaluated were not statistically significantly different (Table). Conclusion