Luteal phase support in intrauterine insemination cycles: a prospective randomized study of 300 mg versus 600 mg intravaginal progesterone tablet

Abstract

Vaginal progesterone (P) has been suggested to be used for luteal phase support (LPS) in controlled ovarian stimulation (COH)–intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, however, no concensus exists about the best P dose. Therefore, considering the fecundability rate as the primary end point, our main objective was to find the optimal dose of P in COH–IUI cycles, comparing the two groups of women, each of which comprised of 100 women either on 300 mg or 600 mg of intravaginal P tablets, in a prospective randomized study design. The mean age of the women, duration of infertility, basal and day of hCG injection hormone levels in the female and sperm parameters were similar in the two study groups. Also, duration and dose of gonadotropin given, number of follicles, endometrial thickness, the total, ongoing and multiple pregnancy rates were comparable in both groups. We, therefore, claim that 300 mg of intravaginal micronized P should be the maximum dose of LPS in IUI cycles.

Chinese abstract

在宫腔内人工授精周期（IUI）中，黄体酮（P）经阴道给药可用于控制性促排卵（COH）过程中的黄体支持（LPS）。然而，黄体酮的最佳剂量仍未达成共识。因此，以受孕率作为主要终点，我们首要的目的是设计一项前瞻性随机对照研究：每组各100名妇女，分别经阴道补充黄体酮300mg和600mg比较两组妇女的受孕率。找到COH—IUI周期中孕酮补充的最佳剂量。两组中妇女的平均年龄、不孕年限、基础激素水平、注射hCG日激素水平及男方精液质量无明显差异。同时比较促性腺激素使用剂量和作用时间、卵泡个数、子宫内膜厚度及总妊娠率、持续妊娠率和多胎妊娠率。我们发现300mg经阴道微粉化黄体酮应是IUI周期黄体支持的最大剂量。

• Controlled ovarian stimulation
• corpus luteum deficiency
• fecundability rate
• ongoing pregnancy rate
• unexplained infertility

Declaration of interest

None of the authors has any conflict of interest and relationship with any of the companies that may have a financial interest in the information contained in the manuscript.