Luteal phase progesterone increases live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer

Abstract

Objective: To see if progesterone support has a beneficial effect on live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer in natural cycles.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University-based hospital.

Subject(s): Four hundred thirty-five women undergoing embryo transfer in natural cycles.

Intervention(s): The women received either vaginal progesterone, 400 mg twice a day from the day of embryo transfer in natural cycles, or no progesterone support.

Main outcome measure(s): Live birth rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, pregnancy rate, and spontaneous abortion rate.

Result(s): Live birth rate were significantly greater in women receiving vaginal progesterone as luteal phase support after frozen-thawed embryo transfer in natural cycles compared with those who did not take progesterone. There were no differences in biochemical pregnancy rate, pregnancy rate, or spontaneous abortion rate.

Conclusion(s): Progesterone supplementation improves live birth rate after embryo transfer in natural cycles.