Clinical use of progesterone in infertility and assisted reproduction

Abstract

Introduction. Progesterone is essential in establishing and maintaining early pregnancy. This article discusses the clinical applications of progesterone in reproductive medicine and in the management of infertile patients, focusing on the different available formulations of this drug. Material and methods. The literature of the last 20 years was reviewed and the most rilevant studies were critically analyzed. Conclusions. Intramuscular or vaginal progesterone administration is critical to support the luteal phase following in-vitro fertilization and is widely employed in intrauterine insemination cycles as well. Furthermore, this hormone is usually administered in many disorders of the first trimester of pregnancy, including threatened abortion and recurrent miscarriage, but the evidence supporting its clinical efficiency is inconsistent.