Conventional and sustained-release oral natural micronised progesterone
in luteal phase support, threatened miscarriage, preterm birth, and
high-risk pregnancy: a review
Abstract
Exogenous progesterone is used to manage obstetric indications
associated with reduced progesterone activity. This review examined
evidence for oral natural micronised progesterone (NMP) and NMP-SR, a
sustained-release formulation designed to overcome the limitations of
conventional oral NMP. Oral NMP was effective for luteal phase support
during assisted reproduction, and prevention of threatened spontaneous
miscarriage and preterm delivery. NMP-SR was comparable to
dydrogesterone for luteal phase support during assisted reproduction and
maintenance of high-risk pregnancies. By releasing progesterone
gradually and circumventing first-pass metabolism, NMP-SR elicits the
desired therapeutic effect with added benefits of better
bioavailability, once-daily dosing, and improved tolerability.