Patterns of luteal phase bleeding in in vitro fertilization cycles supplemented with Crinone vaginal gel and with intramuscular progesterone--impact of luteal estrogen: prospective, randomized study and post hoc analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare patterns of luteal phase bleeding (LPB) in IVF cycles supplemented with Crinone and with intramuscular progesterone (IMP) and to evaluate the impact of luteal estrogen supplementation on LPB.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized trial and post hoc analysis.


METHODS
University-affiliated IVF unit.


METHODS
Women under age 40 with day 3 FSH <15 mIU/mL were randomized to receive either Crinone or IMP for luteal phase support. Luteal estrogen was prescribed according to clinical protocols. Three hundred sixty-five patients were queried about LPB after completion of their IVF cycles.


METHODS
Luteal phase supplementation with Crinone or IMP and with estrogen.


METHODS
Incidence of LPB in IVF cycles supplemented with Crinone and IMP and impact of luteal estrogen on the occurrence of LPB.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the overall incidence of LPB between patients treated with Crinone and those treated with IMP (33.2% vs. 25.7%). LPB occurred with equal frequency among pregnant patients in both arms (Crinone 21.9% vs. IMP 18.6%). Only nonpregnant women had a higher incidence of LPB when treated with Crinone compared with treatment with IMP (56.5% vs.38.1%). Estrogen supplementation decreased the occurrence of LPB among all participants but did not impact pregnancy rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Only nonpregnant women had a higher incidence of bleeding in the luteal phase when supplemented with Crinone compared with treatment with IMP. IMP delays menses in nonpregnant cycles without affecting pregnancy rates. Luteal estrogen decreases LPB without impacting cycle outcomes.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-6114, USA. eyanushpolsky@partners.org
Elena
E
Yanushpolsky
Shelley
S
Hurwitz
Louise
L
Greenberg
Catherine
C
Racowsky
Mark
M
Hornstein
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
C400424:Crinone; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol