title: Comparison of the efficacy and safety of two formulations of micronized progesterone (Ellios and Utrogestan) used as luteal phase support after in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and the tolerability of two different vaginal formulations of micronized progesterone, Ellios and Utrogestan, used for luteal phase support after an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fertility center in a university hospital. PATIENT(S(: One hundred twenty-three women who underwent IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) stimulated cycles from October 1998 to March 2000, who had at least six follicles of > or =14 mm on the day of hCG administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received Ellios pessaries (2 times 200-mg pessary/day) or Utrogestan capsules (2 x 100-mg capsules, two times a day). Progesterone was administered from the day of oocyte pickup (day 0) until menses or up to 10 weeks in pregnant patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Progesterone levels, pregnancy rate, and tolerability tested by patient questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The progesterone levels on days 0, 9, 16 were not statistically different between the two formulations. The pregnancy rate were similar in groups 1 and 2 (25.5% vs. 18.6%), whereas tolerance was significantly better in group 1 versus group 2 (vaginal discharge: 43% vs. 82%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The efficacy of the two formulations of progesterone is comparable, although the patient tolerance for Ellios is better.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Maternité du CHUV, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. marc.germond@chuv.hospvd.ch
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Germond
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vesnaver
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Senn
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rouge
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biollaz
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone