Progesterone and Miscarriage: Can Progesterone Supplementation Prevent Miscarriage?
Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses progesterone supplementation for those with recurrent pregnancy loss. This is a complicated topic and a lot of it has to do with timing and medical history.
Questions answered:
What happens in the luteal phase?
Why is the corpus luteum so important?
What is the importance of progesterone?
What do studies say about supplementing progesterone to prevent miscarriage?
When is the best time to start supplementing progesterone?
Resources:
Coomarasamy A, Devall AJ, Brosens JJ, Quenby S, Stephenson MD, Sierra S, Christiansen OB, Small R, Brewin J, Roberts TE, Dhillon-Smith R, Harb H, Noordali H, Papadopoulou A, Eapen A, Prior M, Di Renzo GC, Hinshaw K, Mol BW, Lumsden MA, Khalaf Y, Shennan A, Goddijn M, van Wely M, Al-Memar M, Bennett P, Bourne T, Rai R, Regan L, Gallos ID. Micronized vaginal progesterone to prevent miscarriage: a critical evaluation of randomized evidence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Aug;223(2):167-176. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.12.006. Epub 2020 Jan 31. PMID: 32008730; PMCID: PMC7408486.
Coomarasamy A, Williams H, Truchanowicz E, Seed PT, Small R, Quenby S, Gupta P, Dawood F, Koot YE, Atik RB, Bloemenkamp KW, Brady R, Briley A, Cavallaro R, Cheong YC, Chu J, Eapen A, Essex H, Ewies A, Hoek A, Kaaijk EM, Koks CA, Li TC, MacLean M, Mol BW, Moore J, Parrott S, Ross JA, Sharpe L, Stewart J, Trépel D, Vaithilingam N, Farquharson RG, Kilby MD, Khalaf Y, Goddijn M, Regan L, Rai R. PROMISE: first-trimester progesterone therapy in women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriages - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international multicentre trial and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2016 May;20(41):1-92. doi: 10.3310/hta20410. PMID: 27225013; PMCID: PMC4904188.
Coomarasamy A, Harb HM, Devall AJ, Cheed V, Roberts TE, Goranitis I, Ogwulu CB, Williams HM, Gallos ID, Eapen A, Daniels JP, Ahmed A, Bender-Atik R, Bhatia K, Bottomley C, Brewin J, Choudhary M, Crosfill F, Deb S, Duncan WC, Ewer A, Hinshaw K, Holland T, Izzat F, Johns J, Lumsden MA, Manda P, Norman JE, Nunes N, Overton CE, Kriedt K, Quenby S, Rao S, Ross J, Shahid A, Underwood M, Vaithilingham N, Watkins L, Wykes C, Horne AW, Jurkovic D, Middleton LJ. Progesterone to prevent miscarriage in women with early pregnancy bleeding: the PRISM RCT. Health Technol Assess. 2020 Jun;24(33):1-70. doi: 10.3310/hta24330. PMID: 32609084; PMCID: PMC7355406.
Stephenson MD, McQueen D, Winter M, Kliman HJ. Luteal start vaginal micronized progesterone improves pregnancy success in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):684-690.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.11.029. Epub 2017 Jan 9. PMID: 28081870.
McLindon LA, James G, Beckmann MM, Bertolone J, Mahomed K, Vane M, Baker T, Gleed M, Grey S, Tettamanzi L, Mol BWJ, Li W. Progesterone for women with threatened miscarriage (STOP trial): a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Hum Reprod. 2023 Apr 3;38(4):560-568. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead029. PMID: 36806843; PMCID: PMC10069850.
Stephenson MD, McQueen D, Winter M, Kliman HJ. Luteal start vaginal micronized progesterone improves pregnancy success in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):684-690.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.11.029. Epub 2017 Jan 9. PMID: 28081870.