ObjectiveTo identify, appraise, and summarize the evidence from randomized controlled
trials (RCTs) comparing oral dydrogesterone to vaginal progesterone capsules
for luteal-phase support (LPS) in women offered fresh or frozen embryo
transfers following in vitro fertilization.MethodsTwo independent authors screened the literature for papers based on titles
and abstracts, then selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the
risk of bias. Dydrogesterone and progesterone were compared based on risk
ratios (RR) and the precision of the estimates was assessed through the 95%
confidence interval (CI).ResultsAn electronic search performed on June 7, 2017 retrieved 376 records, nine of
which were papers deemed eligible and included in this systematic review and
quantitative analysis. Good quality evidence indicates that oral
dydrogesterone provided at least similar results than vaginal progesterone
capsules on live birth/ongoing pregnancy (RR=1.08, 95%CI=0.92-1.26,
I2=29%, 8 RCTs, 3,386 women) and clinical pregnancy rates (RR
1.10, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.27; I2=43%; 9 RCTs; 4,061 women).
Additionally, moderate quality evidence suggests there is no relevant
difference on miscarriage rates (RR=0.92, 95%CI=0.68-1.26, I2=6%,
8 RCTs, 988 clinical pregnancies; the quality of the evidence was downgraded
because of imprecision).ConclusionsGood quality evidence from RCTs suggest that oral dydrogesterone provides at
least similar reproductive outcomes than vaginal progesterone capsules when
used for LPS in women undergoing embryo transfers. Dydrogesterone is a
reasonable option and the choice of either of the medications should be
based on cost and side effects.