Progesterone supplementation during early gestation after in vitro fertilization has no effect on the delivery rate.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the delivery rate with IVF or ICSI in women who did and did not receive progesterone supplementation in the first 3 weeks after a positive hCG test result.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.


METHODS
200 pregnant women who did not receive progesterone (intervention group) and 200 pregnant women who received progesterone for 3 weeks after a positive hCG result.


METHODS
In the study group, vaginal progesterone therapy was withdrawn on the day of positive hCG result. In the control group, treatment with progesterone, 600 mg/d, was continued for 3 weeks after a positive hCG result. Both groups received 600 mg of progesterone starting on the day of embryo replacement until testing positive for pregnancy 14 days after embryo transfer.


METHODS
Delivery rate.


RESULTS
The number of deliveries was 126 in the study group and 128 in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The delivery rate was the same in pregnant women who received and those who did not receive progesterone for 3 weeks after a positive hCG result. Progesterone supplementation for more than 2 weeks after embryo transfer may therefore yield no benefit in terms of pregnancy.
Schmidt
K L
KL
The Fertility Clinic 4071, The Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ziebe
S
S
Popovic
B
B
Lindhard
A
A
Loft
A
A
Andersen
A N
AN
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone