TY - JOUR
T1 - Patient attitudes towards and satisfaction with subcutaneous injection of progesterone versus vaginal administration in assisted reproductive technology treatment
AU - Buhl Borgstrøm, Maria
AU - Willum Adrian, Stine
AU - Nøhr, Bugge
AU - Peters Michaelsen, Mette
AU - Cæcilie Nielsen, Laura
AU - Bruun Gyldenvang, Mona
AU - Schiøler Kesmodel, Ulrik
N1 - Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - The hormones used in fertility treatment come in various forms. Progesterone used for luteal phase support is often administered vaginally as either suppositories, tablets or gel. However, in Denmark the administration of progesterone as a subcutaneous injection has newly been introduced. The aim of the study was to explore patient attitudes towards and satisfaction with subcutaneous injection of progesterone versus vaginal administration of progesterone in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments. Methods and analysis: A qualitative study with online and face to face interviews with a total of 19 women undergoing an ART treatment. Only women with at least one previous blastocyst transfer using vaginal progesterone or subcutaneous progesterone could be recruited. All participants were included from either the Fertility Clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital – Herlev and Gentofte or from the Fertility Unit at Aalborg University Hospital. Results: The analysis resulted in four themes: (1) medication, (2) everyday life, (3) bodily experiences and (4) infertility or hope. Most informants highlighted the administration of subcutaneous progesterone only once a day and avoidance of the vaginal discharge as clear advantages. Reasons for preferring the vaginal administration were inconvenience of bringing the subcutaneous medication along and resistance to inject oneself. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the satisfaction with the subcutaneous progesterone is generally positive. However, valuable thoughts have given insights into possible areas, which could be improved. Further, that some women prefer vaginal progesterone. The results show that the women are interested in being included in the decision-making when choosing the administration form of progesterone.
AB - The hormones used in fertility treatment come in various forms. Progesterone used for luteal phase support is often administered vaginally as either suppositories, tablets or gel. However, in Denmark the administration of progesterone as a subcutaneous injection has newly been introduced. The aim of the study was to explore patient attitudes towards and satisfaction with subcutaneous injection of progesterone versus vaginal administration of progesterone in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments. Methods and analysis: A qualitative study with online and face to face interviews with a total of 19 women undergoing an ART treatment. Only women with at least one previous blastocyst transfer using vaginal progesterone or subcutaneous progesterone could be recruited. All participants were included from either the Fertility Clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital – Herlev and Gentofte or from the Fertility Unit at Aalborg University Hospital. Results: The analysis resulted in four themes: (1) medication, (2) everyday life, (3) bodily experiences and (4) infertility or hope. Most informants highlighted the administration of subcutaneous progesterone only once a day and avoidance of the vaginal discharge as clear advantages. Reasons for preferring the vaginal administration were inconvenience of bringing the subcutaneous medication along and resistance to inject oneself. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the satisfaction with the subcutaneous progesterone is generally positive. However, valuable thoughts have given insights into possible areas, which could be improved. Further, that some women prefer vaginal progesterone. The results show that the women are interested in being included in the decision-making when choosing the administration form of progesterone.
KW - ART
KW - Fertility treatment
KW - Luteal phase support
KW - Progesterone
KW - Prolutex
KW - Subcutaneous injection
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85160704942&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.05.032
DO - 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.05.032
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37269751
SN - 0301-2115
VL - 287
SP - 1
EP - 7
JO - European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
JF - European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
ER -