Dehydrogesterone versus vaginal progesterone in the treatment of the endometrial luteal phase deficiency

Forty-four infertile patients with inadequate luteal phase histologically documented in at least two separate cycles and normal plasma levels of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL) were entered into treatment plans on a random basis involving at least 3 months of each of the following: P vaginal suppositories, dehydrogesterone, and no treatment. Success rates were similar for P (62.5%) and dehydrogesterone (68.7%), based on a corrected endometrial defect during the fourth treated cycle or when a term pregnancy was achieved. However, these figures are significantly different (P less than 0.001) when compared with 16.6% of the control group. In ten additional infertile patients with normal luteal function as assessed by endometrial histologic study and hormone measurements, a second biopsy was performed in a consecutive cycle under dehydrogesterone administration. In no case was the normal secretory pattern impaired. It is concluded that (1) both P and dehydrogesterone can be used to advantage in the treatment of luteal phase defects, and (2) therapy with dehydrogesterone does not alter the normal pattern of endometrial secretion.