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Combined oestrogen and progesterone for preventing miscarriage
Chi Eung Danforn Lim1, Karen K W Ho, Nga Chong Lisa Cheng
1South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, PO BOX 3256, Blakehurst, New South Wales, Australia, 2221.
Limited evidence suggests combined oestrogen and progesterone therapy does not prevent miscarriage. Further research is recommended due to insufficient data from randomized controlled trials on this treatment for threatened pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Background:
- Historically, oestrogen and progesterone were used individually to manage threatened pregnancies.
- Combined therapy was proposed to be synergistic for miscarriage prevention.
- This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of combined hormone therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effectiveness of combined oestrogen and progesterone in preventing miscarriage.
- To assess the safety profile of this combined hormonal therapy.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL up to June 2013.
- Included one stratified and one quasi-randomized trial comparing combined hormones to placebo or no intervention.
- Two reviewers independently assessed trial eligibility, quality, and extracted data.
Main Results:
- Two trials (281 pregnancies) were included; meta-analysis was inappropriate due to heterogeneity.
- In women with diabetes history, no significant difference in miscarriage, perinatal death, or preterm birth was observed. Increased maternal reproductive cancer risk was noted.
- In IVF patients, no difference in miscarriage rates was found compared to no treatment.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient evidence exists from randomized controlled trials to support combined oestrogen and progesterone for miscarriage prevention.
- Further research is strongly recommended in this area.
- Current evidence does not support the use of combined hormone therapy for threatened pregnancies.
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