Comparison of Oral Dydrogesterone with a Micronized Vaginal Progesterone in Fresh Embryo Transfer in IVF ± ICSI
Abstract Introduction: Luteal insufficiency corresponds to a progesterone deficiency affecting women who receive treatment for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Different routes of progesterone administration exist and have varying degrees of acceptability to patients. The aim of this study was to compare two luteal phase support (LPS) treatments: oral dydrogesterone versus micronized vaginal progesterone on the clinical pregnancy rates after fresh embryo transfert. Material and Methods: This study was a retrospective, monocentric and observational study carried out in the reproductive medicine department at the University Hospital, Femme Mère Enfant in Lyon. 580 consecutive women between 18 and 43 years old, who completed an IVF cycle with or without ICSI, followed by fresh embryo transfer on the second or third day after oocyte retrieval (D2 or D3) or at the blastocyst stage (D5 or D6) between July 2019 and July 2020 were included.Results: In the univariate analysis, the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer was comparable between the MVP and OD groups (29.7% and 27.6% respectively with p = 0.6460). In the multivariate analysis, OD also appeared to be associated with a similar pregnancy rate compared to MVP, with a non-significant difference (p > 0.05) (OR [95% CI]): 0.922 [0.626; 1,358] with p = 0.6817. The use of OD compared to MVP did not significantly influence the clinical pregnancy rate in any age group (p > 0.05) (OR [95% CI]): 0.954 [0.657; 1.386] with p = 0.8057. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the clinical pregnancy rate, whether the patients belonged to the reference population of the center or not (p > 0.05) (OR [95% CI]): 2.367 [0.568; 3.568] with p < 0.0001. Conclusion: This is the largest retrospective study comparing these two routes of progestogens in LPS during IVF and it reinforces the use of the oral form to improve patients’ comfort.