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Assistive Reproductive Technology (ART)
Some people grow their families with the help of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Most people have heard of IVF (in vitro fertilization), but today the most commonly used technique in assisted reproduction is actually ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).1 Both can help individuals and couples facing fertility challenges, as well as same-sex couples or those using surrogacy or donor eggs.2
This alternative route to pregnancy is usually chosen due to fertility issues but may also be an appropriate route for same-sex couples, or for those choosing surrogacy. ART allows for couples to overcome fertility challenges, but it is a highly complex and evolving field of medicine.2
Why LPS is needed in ART
In many ART treatments, the body’s natural hormone patterns are changed by the medications used to stimulate the ovaries. These medications help produce more eggs, but they can also affect how much progesterone the body makes after ovulation.3
Progesterone is essential for preparing the uterine lining for implantation. In assisted reproduction treatments such as IVF or ICSI, the medications used to stimulate the ovaries can lower the body’s natural progesterone levels. When this happens, the uterine lining may not receive enough support on its own.3 For this reason, luteal phase support (LPS) with progesterone is routinely recommended in stimulated IVF/ICSI cycles.4
It is also essential in donor‑egg, surrogacy, and artificial frozen embryo transfer cycles, where no corpus luteum is present to produce progesterone.3,4
Luteal phase support usually involves giving progesterone to help create the right environment for an embryo to implant and grow. In some cases, progesterone may be combined with other medications that support the hormonal signals needed for early pregnancy.5
Progesterone is strongly recommended in stimulated IVF/ICSI cycles because research shows it improves the chances of successful implantation.4
ART methods that require LPS include:5
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) / intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles
- Embryo transfer (fresh and frozen)
ART success relies on high quality embryos in addition to an established endometrium (thick uterine lining).5