A comparison of luteal phase support in graduated estradiol/progesterone replacement cycles using intramuscular progesterone alone versus combination with vaginal suppositories on outcome following frozen embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To compare pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer according to type of progesterone (P) support given in the luteal phase.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis of frozen embryo transfer (ET) cycles in which ovulation was suppressed by graduated estradiol in the follicular phase. Two P regimens in the luteal phase were compared: P vaginal suppositories and intramuscular P vs intramuscular alone.


RESULTS
The clinical and viable pregnancy rates were significantly higher for the women receiving only intramuscular P (57.6% and 43.7%) vs those receiving combined therapy (45.9% and 35.6%, respectively). The implantation rates were not significantly different (22.6% vs 19.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased pregnancy rates with intramuscular P may have been related to a higher number of embryos transferred (3.69 vs 3.26). Nevertheless, intramuscular P alone is at least as effective, if not more effective, than combined therapy for frozen embryo transfers.
Graziano
V
V
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ, USA.
Check
J H
JH
Dietterich
C
C
Choe
J K
JK
Yuan
W
W
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013488:Suppositories
D013488:Suppositories; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol