LUTEAL PHASE SUPPORT

LUTEAL PHASE SUPPORT

Luteal phase support should be started on the day of egg retrieval or the next day.

After ovulation occurs in a natural cycle, the follicles in the ovary turn into the corpus luteum and the corpus luteum secretes the hormone progesterone under the influence of the LH hormone. Progesterone hormone is necessary for the implantation (holding to the uterus) and continuation of the pregnancy. Since GnRH analogs or GnRH antagonists are used in IVF patients, LH secretion is insufficient in the luteal period, so progesterone hormone cannot be secreted. In these patients, the hormone progesterone should be given externally or the ovaries should be provided with the hormone progesterone to be given externally.

Gels or ovules (suppositories) containing progesterone hormone are applied vaginally for luteal phase support. There are also progesterone hormones used in the form of injections (injection).

In cases where progesterone hormone is used for luteal phase support, estrogen hormone can be started together with the progesterone hormone.

Another alternative is to make the ovaries secrete progesterone hormone by making HCG at certain intervals. However, when luteal support is provided with HCG in this way, it is not preferred because the risk of hyper-stimulation syndrome will be high.

Luteal phase support, which is started on the day of egg collection or the next day, is continued until at least the eighth week of pregnancy in patients who become pregnant.