Abstract
The pharmacological and physiological profiles of progestogens used for luteal phase
support during assisted reproductive technology are likely to be important in guiding
clinical choice towards the most appropriate treatment option. Various micronized
progesterone formulations with differing pharmacological profiles have been investigated
for several purposes. Dydrogesterone, a stereoisomer of progesterone, is available
in an oral form with high oral bioavailability; it has been used to treat a variety
of conditions related to progesterone deficiency since the 1960s and has recently
been approved for luteal phase support as part of an assisted reproductive technology
treatment. The primary objective of this review is to critically analyse the clinical
implications of the pharmacological and physiological properties of dydrogesterone
for its uses in luteal phase support and in early pregnancy.
KEYWORDS
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Biography
Georg Griesinger is a Professor at Lübeck University and chair at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine at University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany. His research interests include endocrinology of ovarian stimulation, evidence-based medicine in reproductive health care, epidemiological studies in IVF, folliculogenesis and cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.Key message
Dydrogesterone is a selective progesterone receptor agonist with high oral bioavailability. These key pharmacokinetic features allow for effective oral administration and may limit the risk of side-effects. Clinical studies have shown that oral dydrogesterone has a good benefit–risk profile, comparable to that of micronized vaginal progesterone, during luteal phase support.
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: December 15, 2018
Accepted:
November 7,
2018
Received in revised form:
August 15,
2018
Received:
June 6,
2018
Declaration: Funding for editorial support was provided by Abbott Established Pharmaceuticals. GG has received investigator fees from Abbott during the conduct of the study; outside of this submitted work, GG has received non-financial support from MSD, Ferring, Merck Serono, IBSA, Finox, TEVA, Glycotope and Gedeon Richter, as well as personal fees from MSD, Ferring, Merck Serono, IBSA, Finox, TEVA, Glycotope, Vitrolife, NMC Healthcare, ReprodWissen, Biosilu, Gedeon Richter and ZIVA. HT's institution has received grants from Merck, MSD, Goodlife, Cook, Roche, Origio, Besins, Ferring, and Mithra (now Allergan) and H.T. has received consultancy fees from Finox-Gedeon Richter, Merck, Ferring, Abbott and ObsEva. NM has received consultancy fees from Abbott, Anecova, Ferring, MSD, Merck Serono, SPD, research funding from Ferring, Gedeon Richter, Merck Serono, MSD and Anecova, and speaker fees from Merck Serono, Ferring, MSD, Besins and IBSA. FP has received fees as an advisor from Abbott. PA has received fees as an advisor from Abbott. CB Is the President of the Belgian Society of Reproductive Medicine (unpaid) and Section Editor of Reproductive BioMedicine Online. CB has received grants from Ferring, participated in an MSD sponsored trial, and has received payment from Ferring, MSD, BioMérieux, Abbott and Merck for lectures. PvA is an employee of Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Weesp, Netherlands and owns shares of Abbott. CP-F is an employee of Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Wiesbaden, Germany and owns shares of Abbott. BCJMF has received fees or grant support from the following organizations (in alphabetical order): Actavis/Watson/Uteron, Controversies in Obstetrics & Gynecology (COGI), Dutch Heart Foundation, Dutch Medical Research Council (ZonMW), Euroscreen/Ogeda, Ferring, Merck Serono (GFI), Myovant, Netherland Genomic Initiative (NGI), OvaScience, Pantarhei Bioscience, PregLem/Gedeon Richter/Finox, Reproductive Biomedicine Online (RBMO), Roche, Teva, The London Women's Clinic (LWC), World Health Organization (WHO).Identification
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