Vaginal Versus Combined Use of Progesterone in Fresh IVF/ICSI Cycles

In ART (IVF/ICSI), most of the studies have shown a deficiency of progesterone during the luteal phase, especially due to the use of GnRH analogs. The lack of progesterone leads to abnormal endometrial development and consequently to desynchronization between the latter and the blastocyst implantation. Therefore, it is a standard of care to use progesterone for luteal phase support after embryo transfer and during the first trimester, in case of pregnancy.

According to ESHRE guidelines, either of vaginal, oral, subcutaneous or intramuscular route is advisable.

But, until now, there is no robust evidence on the effect on pregnancy outcome of the combined route of progesterone administration compared to the standard of care (single route).

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the combined route of progesterone administration to the single route.

The study is a prospective cohort study. Participants will receive either standard treatment with single route (vaginal) progesterone administration according to the ESHRE guidelines, or combination of more than one routes of administration, that is vaginal plus oral or subcutaneous progesterone, starting afterthe fresh embryo transfer until 12 weeks of gestation or a negative pregnancy test.