11 replies to this topic

[RedEmber]

Hi,

The fertility clinic I go to only gives you Prometrium (Progesterone Supositories) until the baby is 10 weeks gestation (so about 8 weeks since ER). I am due to stop my Prometrium on Monday Aug 6. My clinics policy is not to give you any more unless you start bleeding. I have been doing some research online and it seems like 12 weeks seems a more common duration for progesterone in pregnancy. Though I've also heard of people taking it upto 14 weeks, and even 16 weeks, and one woman who previously had low progesterone in the luteal phase took it into week 20. My naturopath said she would prefer to see me on the Prometrium until 12 weeks, and suggested I use progesterone cream from week 10 when I run out of capsules (though she said it would not be as effective as the supositories).

Since my clinic wouldn't give me any more and I was worried as I too had luteal phase issues (thought they were not major issues, our real diagnosis was male factor), I went along to my family doctor this morning who kindly wrote me a prescription for another 180 x 100mg capsules (2 capsules, 3 x per day), so will give me an extra 30 days. This does make me feel better.

However, since I'm not really following the clinics advice here I am just wondering how long other women took their Prometrium (or other progesterone) for in pregnancy? And also, I've heard about people weaning off them. So I was thinking at 14 weeks moving to 2 capsules twice per day, and at 15 weeks going to 2 capsules once per day. Did you stop abruptly or did you gradually reduce your dose?

Thanks in advance,

[alison]

I stopped at 10 weeks as well, and I stopped completely, I didn't wean myself off of them. But if taken them for a little longer makes you feel better and your family doctor says it's okay, then you should do that.

[Laura1976]

I took 600 - 800mg daily until 16 weeks and then I weaned down to 200mg daily and I am still on that at 26 weeks. My OBGYN (who is a Perinatologist) said that it doesn't do harm and that there is research that supports continuing with 200mg daily to help prevent preterm labour.

Go with your gut and if you feel you need more take it... I doubt stress helps any pregnancy.

[smurfette_wong]

i only took it until beta #1 at about 12dp5dt. My clinic said I can stop after that.

[laura02]

I believe that the placenta takes over from the corpus luteum in progesterone production at about 8 weeks. I myself took it until 12 weeks (but started to wean at 10 weeks). I know it's difficult to stop, but you probably don't need it anymore.

I also had luteal phase issues and DH has MFI.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[RedEmber]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It really does appear that the RE's have very different opinions on how long to prescribe it and whether it's effective.

Unless my midwife tells me something else I think I'll continue with the full dose until 13 Weeks, and then wean over 14 and 15 weeks until I almost run out. I'll keep a couple of doses in case I start to bleed after I'm of them.

[SunnyS]

I stopped at 10 weeks. I couldn't wait to stop actually... I know, I know, it has it benefits, but I HATED the goopy crotch feeling, and couldn't wait for it to be over!! I finally felt like I could enjoy the pregnancy once that was over.

[thedessmans]

I'm also quite nervous about going off prometrium cold turkey but after talking to my gp today I don't think she'll be extending it for me. She thinks that 10 weeks is enough...I just worry because our brains have been turned off and how do we know that they are producing enough of the hormones naturally?? I just don't want to take any chances.

[RedEmber]

SunnyS - I hate the goopy stuff too, and will be glad when I don't take it any more, but I'd rather put up with the goopiness than the worry.

thedessmans - That's a shame your GP won't give you any more. Although I don't have a great family doctor, he is good at writing me requisitions for blood work (I take the results to the Naturopath) and kindly wrote this prescription even though he said 10 weeks should be enough. While I was worrying about finishing the Prometrium I spoke to my Naturopath and Acupuncturist for solutions. The Naturopath suggested using progesterone cream from weeks 10 to at least 12. The acupuncturist (Ciara at Body an Balance) also suggested eating lots of butter - she said the cholesterol carries the hormones so helps promote progesterone production. The acupuncturist also told me about a Chinese herb I could take to help support the placenta, by supporting the placenta progesterone is increased but that is not the only benefit. The herb is called An Tai Yin, and can be used with Prometrium so 'probably' (my opinion) could be used with the progesterone cream. Just some alternative suggestions if you are still worried by 10 weeks.

[RedEmber]

thedessmans - Oh I forgot to say. At the RFP clinic they will have so far given you enough Prometrium to last you until just after BFP. Then when you go back they'll give you enough to last you until 10 weeks. However, I noticed with this second batch of Prometrium that they gave me 200 (2 x 100 bottles), and the bottles said 100 remaining on the prescription. When I was nearing the 10 week mark I called the pharmacy to ask if I could get these extra 100. They told me I couldn't as I was almost 10 weeks and didn't need it any more. So I asked why the prescription had an extra 100 and the pharmacist said in case you drop them. So what you could do if you are crafty is tell them when you are around 6 weeks, that you spilt a full bottle on the floor of a public washroom , and they should give you the extra 100. That 100 would take you from 10 weeks, to just over 12.

[judes]

RedEmber - I also stopped at 10 weeks. I was taking 1.5cc PIO everyday from ER till the week 10 ultrasound. I spotted a bit the day after, but apparently that can happen because of the change in progesterone levels in your body. It then stopped and everything was fine. However, if you do feel like you need to continue and your doc or midwife is ok with it, I don't think it will do any harm, so keep going for your peace of mind. Good luck!

[thedessmans]

haha, thanks Red, that's a really good tip, I appreciate it! I also go to Body in Balance, so I'll have a chat with Leslie next week too. Ciara did mention some herbs but we didn't go into detail.... it's funny, I feel more comfortable talking to them about this then my GP! I'll ask them about the butter too!