Randomised trial, 1998
Does supplementing progesterone during the luteal phase increase progesterone levels?
Yes, both dydrogesterone alone and dydrogesterone with HCG injections increased progesterone in the middle of the luteal phase compared to placebo. However, progesterone returned to placebo levels by day 11 and did not affect the premenstrual period if pregnancy did not occur.
What they did
Randomized, placebo-controlled study of 56 infertile women with a short luteal phase (less than 11 days). Women received either 10 mg dydrogesterone twice daily, or 10 mg dydrogesterone twice daily plus HCG injections, or placebo from corpus luteum detection until menstruation. Progesterone levels were measured on days 3, 7, and 11.
What they found
On day 7 (midluteal phase), both treatment groups had significantly higher progesterone than placebo. The dydrogesterone plus HCG group had higher progesterone than dydrogesterone alone. By day 11, progesterone in both treatment groups had dropped to levels comparable with placebo.
What it means for you
These methods can briefly increase progesterone around implantation but do not affect the premenstrual period if pregnancy does not occur. The study was small and specific to infertile women with documented short luteal phase, so findings may not apply to PMS.
56
Participants
10 mg x2/day
Dydrogesterone dose
1500 IU / 4d
HCG injection dose
About the study
- Original title
- [The effect of various methods of luteal phase supplementation on serum progesterone level]
- Authors
- Jakiel G, Bokiniec M, Bakalczuk S et al.
- Journal
- Ginekologia polska
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 56
- What was tested
- Dydrogesterone (10 mg twice daily) with or without HCG injections (1500 IU every 4 days)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224805/
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