Matched-samples comparison of intramuscular versus vaginal progesterone for luteal phase support after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate vaginal compared to intramuscular (IM) progesterone supplementation for luteal phase support after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).


METHODS
Retrospective matched-samples comparative study.


METHODS
Private infertility center.


METHODS
Two hundred forty patients undergoing IVF-ET.


METHODS
Patients received either vaginal progesterone supplementation in the form of Endometrin 100 mg twice a day (n = 12), Endometrin 100 mg three times a day (n = 11), or Crinone 8% gel 90 mg every day (n = 17), or 50 mg every day IM progesterone in oil (n = 200).


METHODS
Clinical intrauterine pregnancy rates, pregnancy loss, and live birth rates.


RESULTS
Among patients using vaginal progesterone, there were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, regardless of the type of vaginal progesterone used. There were no differences in outcomes between the vaginal and IM progesterone treatment groups. There were 20 pregnancies (50.0%) among patients treated with vaginal progesterone and 103 pregnancies (51.5%) among matched IM progesterone patients. The live birth rates were 47% in the IM versus 47.5% in the vaginal progesterone groups. There were no statistically significant differences in miscarriage rates between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant differences in treatment outcomes between vaginal and IM progesterone supplementation, yielding similar clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates.
Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Naveed
N
Khan
Kevin S
KS
Richter
Tasha L
TL
Newsome
Emily J
EJ
Blake
Vladimir I
VI
Yankov
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D001723:Birth Rate; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007267:Injections; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014621:Vagina
D011374:Progesterone