Progesterone - Massapequa,NY

I took it with both of my children after I had 3 miscarrages. The only effect that I had and still have is a little extra hair on my chin and chest.

Hi N.. I took progesterone shots when I was pregnant wirh my son, but I did it later in my pregnancy. My daughter had been born at 32 weeks and we were trying to prolong that pregnancy. I can understand it in the beginning if you had problems keeping a pregnancy. The progesterone itself did not bother me at all. (Well, maybe I was slightly moodier- extra hormones and all!) So good luck with everything! :)

I took it with my first beacuse my levels were low at 4 weeks and I was spotting. I had a beautiful healthy baby boy. I took one pill a day and it made me feel like my nose was running a lot and dripping down the back of my throat. however, I believe it is what saved the pregnancy.
I am now 6 weeks pregnant again and my prog levels are fine,so no pills this time! God luck!

Hi, it's perfectly safe. I took it with my son, all it does it help keep the uterine lining in place during the 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy so help prevent a miscarriage.

I did have to take progesterone with 3 of my 6 pregnancies. The first time, we discovered my levels were low with my initial bloodwork. My OB gave me suppositories to insert twice a day until week 13. I did this and everything was fine. My next pregnancy I began spotting at 6 weeks. I called and had bloodwork done right away, and my progesterone was low again. I went on the suppositories again until week 13. Unfortunately my baby passed away at 15 weeks and I delivered him at 17 weeks. It was unrelated to the low progesterone.

I decided to be proactive the next time, so my OB tested my progesterone at various stages in my cycle (while NOT TTC). He tested 7 and 11 days after ovulation. I chart my cycles thoroughly, so I knew when this was. Anyway, both times it was shown I had low progesterone, even during a normal cycle. Anything 5 or higher shows that ovulation has occured, but higher than 10 is healthy (not pregnant) Anything higher than 20 is a healthy pregnancy. I was showing in the 7's when not pregnant and between 8 and 9 when pregnant. I was determined to have "luteal phase defect" and was treated for it BEFORE conception. So, the next time we tried, my OB gave me oral progesterone to take from 3 days post ovulation for 10 days. Then I was to take a test. If it was negative, I stopped the pills (which were gone anyway) and my period should kick in in a few days after the levels dropped. If it was positive, I was to have blood drawn to test my levels and if low, then continue taking it. Here is a link about progesterone levels I found helpful. I know of no risks. Hope this helps! Good luck!
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/progesterone-levels-a...

Hi N.,

I assume your doctor wants you to take it because your own levels are a little low. If that's the case, you could end up miscarrying if you don't--if your body doesn't have enough progesterone, the egg doesn't implant properly. I suffered two miscarriages (after a perfectly normal and completely uneventful pregnancy with my son) before it was determined that my level was in the low range of normal. I was on progesterone for the first trimester of my pregnancy with my daughter, and it did the trick (pill form, but inserted not swallowed). There are very few side effects--the only one that I recall is an increased chance of hypospadia with a boy, but that's not really a big deal and is easily remedied. As long as there's a solid reason for your dr to be suggesting progesterone, I'd go ahead and do it. Good luck!

I conceived three healthy kids with no trouble (easy pregnancies, etc) - then had 3 miscarriages! Each time was the same thing, no heartbeat and no development, just a sac. My doctor did a whirlwind of blood work - literally everything under the sun as part of a "miscarriage workup." He said everything was normal. So after some independent internet research, I put myself on progesterone cream. I used it as soon as I found out I was pregnant and continued for about three months and gradually weaned (according to how it was to be utilized, etc.) My pregnancy was fine and uneventful and I now have a gorgeous 10 month old son. SO... I don't know if it was the progesterone that sustained the pregnancy or if this one was just meant to be. But I think it was the former... if your doctor recommends it, I would certainly go for it. I don't think there are many (if any) contraindications but there are a lot of success stories out there. Best of luck!

I'm almost 9 weeks pregnant and when I went in for my 1st visit at 2 weeks I was told I needed to take progesterone. I have a thyroid problem and had miscarried in July 2007 so I am being watched closesly but was told that without it I would not carry past the 1st trimester. I take it right before bed and so far so good. No side effects that I see or feel and it is 1 tablet once a day so its easy to remember. The doctors assured me it is safe and it is something our body makes naturally all the time but it increases during pregnancy. Good luck! A.

never heard of such a thing, is there a reason why your dr. suggested this?

Yes, I did with my third. There were no side effects and as long as it is short term there are almost no risks. I wish you the best.

Did he suggest topically applied or to ingest it? I would insist on a bio-identical progesterone and think it over very hard before I would take it orally if that is what you meant. Topically is different, but again, try and get something bio-identical that is not made from yams that have been exposed to pesticides. Nature's Sunshine has a great progesterone cream. They are online. Also, go to Dr. Lee's sight for info or Ray Peat has a site, but I don't know how much info is on it. You produce over 400 times as much progesterone during pregnancy (from memory but I know it's a very high precentage). Again, blood tests do not give progesterone results all that well. I think that they progesterone binds to the corpusles and they check the serum of the blood. That is why a saliva test is done as it gives true results. You can see if Dr. Gina Dado has a website. She is in Arizona and I know she uses the cream in her OBGYN practice. If it was me, I would refuse any pharmacutical progesterone, it's synthetic and not recognized by the body as it's own. Just my 2 cents.

I have taken progesterone for the first trimester too. It's a little bit annoying, and a little messy to take. But, aside from that I was glad I took it. I am sure your doctor explained why progesterone is necessary, particularly in the first trimester. As for side effects, the only thing I noticed was bloating and breast tenderness. But, that could also be from the pregnancy, and maybe just enhanced with the progesterone.

Good luck!

N.,
I have and it worked great. One thing though, ask your doctor to order you the micronized progesterone that is compounded rather than the synthetic progesterone. The later one is known to cause some women to reject it as foreign and have a miscarriage, which is what happened to me. My doctor ordered it from Women's International Pharmacy (look them up on-line, they have a website I believe) and it is because of that one that I now have 2 more beautiful and totally miracle babies who are now 12 1/2 and 10 years old who make me laugh and smile each and every day. Let me know if you need anymore information on it, I have a lot and can give you the name of the doctor who figured out what was causing me to have so many miscarriages.
Hugs,
T.

Hi N.,

I did not personally take progesterone shots, although they were recommended to me due to a previous preterm birth. There is a website, www.sidelines.org, that is specifically for women who have high risk pregnancies. A lot of women on that website do receive the progesterone shots, and some of them will be able to share their experiences with you.

I wish you luck with your pregnancy!

I found this info on the internet.. hope it helps...

Why is progesterone even used during pregnancy? In addition to two studies that have found that progesterone is effective in reducing the risk of preterm delivery in a select group of women with a history of spontaneous preterm delivery, Dr. Ramin says that progesterone is also used in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology who have progesterone deficiency. It supports the implantation of the embryo and helps maintain the pregnancy up to 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. The placenta assumes this function at 7 to 9 weeks of gestation.

Side effects that have been reported with progesterone gel include breast enlargement, constipation, sleepiness, nausea, headache, bloating, dizziness and perineal pain, says Dr. Ramin. Reported side effects with 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate injections include local injection-site reactions (soreness, swelling, itching and bruising) or a lump at the injection site. The cost is $40 to $100, depending on the pharmacy, and is typically not covered by insurance.

I used it b/c my son was an IVF baby and it is common practice there, i used the injections and the big side effect was a sore butt for about 3- 4 months after we stopped the shots! My jobs involves moving quickly and my coworkers used to laugh at me b/c I couldnt run down the hall!! It was more of a weird limp since my but hurt so much!!!

Good luck!!

It's a naturally occuring hormone that is essential for sustaining a pregnancy, but some women don't make enough.

If your doc says you need it then you need it! The alternative is a possible miscarriage.

The only thing you will notice while on progesterone is pregnancy symptoms (sore boobs, etc.) if you are taking it before you concieve.

Don't skip this if prescribed - your natural progesterone levels may not be able to sustain a pregnancy.

I took progesterone in oil injections with my daughter because she was an IVF baby. It made me really nauseous and the injection site was quite sore. She was a very healthy baby and as far as I know it is safe but your doctor would have more info. Good luck!