title: Early progesterone cessation after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of stopping progesterone (P) support at week 5 versus week 8 on ongoing pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated infertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 220 patients with intrauterine pregnancy demonstrated by transvaginal ultrasound after IVF/ICSI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Luteal phase support with micronized vaginal P was suspended at week 5 or at week 8.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ongoing pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and number of bleeding episodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Progesterone levels were similar on the day of the first pregnancy ultrasound exam (149 ± 108 vs. 167 ± 115 ng/mL). Significantly more bleeding episodes were observed in the first trimester in the group with early cessation of P supplementation (18.0 ± 2.6 vs. 7.2 ± 1.3 episodes). Miscarriage rates among singleton pregnancies were similar in the two groups (5/80 vs. 6/79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal P supplementation after IVF/ICSI can be safely withdrawn at 5 weeks' gestation, because cycle outcome was similar to conventional luteal phase support up to 8 weeks of pregnancy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01177904.
authors: IVI Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Graciela
authors: G
authors: Kohls
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Ruiz
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Martínez
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Hauzman
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: de la Fuente
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pellicer
authors: Juan A
authors: JA
authors: Garcia-Velasco
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins; D011374:Progesterone