Oral progesterone as an effective alternative in donation cycles: Instituto Bernabeu presents its findings at ESHRE 2025.

Instituto Bernabeu will present at ESHRE 2025 the study: ‘Oral micronized progesterone (MP) vs GnRH-antagonists for LH surge prevention during controlled ovarian stimulation in oocyte donation: a randomized controlled trial’, led by Dr María Martínez, medical coordinator of Instituto Bernabeu Elche. The research has been selected as an oral communication at the annual congress of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), one of the most prestigious international scientific forums in the field of reproductive medicine.

The study focuses on one of the key steps in fertility treatments: controlled ovarian stimulation in egg donation cycles. More specifically, it examines whether orally administered micronized natural progesterone (MNP) can effectively replace GnRH antagonists, which are commonly used to prevent the premature increase in luteinising hormone (LH), responsible for triggering ovulation early.

For this purpose, a randomised clinical trial was conducted with 150 patients, comparing two protocols: one based on oral administration of MNP from the start of stimulation, and the other following a conventional schedule with GnRH antagonists. Both groups had similar results in terms of number of mature oocytes (MII), duration of treatment and total gonadotropin dose.

Among the most notable findings, the MNP-treated group had lower LH suppression, as well as higher oestradiol levels and a higher number of follicles ≥17 mm on the day of trigger. These indicators did not translate into significant differences in oocyte quality, but a higher rate of blastocyst formation was observed in the MNP-treated group, suggesting a possible benefit in terms of cumulative pregnancy rates.

These results reinforce the potential value of oral progesterone as a more convenient and less invasive option for patients, without compromising treatment efficacy. Although further studies are needed to confirm its long-term clinical impact, the initial data are encouraging.

With this research, Instituto Bernabeu continues its commitment to clinical innovation and the development of personalised treatments, reaffirming its commitment to scientific progress and continuous improvement in the field of assisted reproduction.