The effect of luteal phase vaginal estradiol supplementation on the success of in vitro fertilization treatment: a prospective randomized study

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the use of luteal phase vaginal E(2) supplementation improves clinical pregnancy rates in patients undergoing IVF treatment.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University-based tertiary fertility center.

Patient(s): One hundred sixty-six patients undergoing their first cycle of IVF treatment.

Intervention(s): Patients underwent three different protocols for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF treatment with long GnRH agonist suppression, use of GnRH antagonist, or a microdose GnRH agonist protocol. Luteal phase support was in the form of IM P. Patients randomized into the study group (n = 84) received E(2) supplementation in the form of vaginal estrace 2 mg twice a day starting on the day of ET. Patients randomized to the control group (n = 82) received no E(2) supplementation.

Main outcome measure(s): Clinical pregnancy rates.

Result(s): There were no significant differences in the implantation (56/210 [26.7%] vs. 64/203 [31.5%]), clinical pregnancy (42/84 [50%] vs. 52/82 [63.4%]), and ongoing pregnancy rates (40/84 [47.6%] vs. 46/82 [56.1%]) between the study and control groups, respectively. In the subgroup of patients who used the long GnRH agonist suppression protocol, there was a lower clinical pregnancy rate in the study group compared with the control group (27/55 [49.1%] vs. 42/59 [71.2%]). There were, however, no differences in clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups in patients who used either the GnRH antagonist or microdose GnRH agonist protocols.

Conclusion(s): The addition of vaginal E(2) supplementation to routine P supplementation for luteal support does not improve the probability of conception after IVF treatment.