Questions about Prometrium

[m0xxie]

When I told my doctor that I wanted to do everything possible to prevent another miscarriage, she proscribed Prometrium (progesterone) 1 x 200mg vaginally at bedtime, for the next three months (I started taking it 1 month after LMP). She said it was not conclusive that it would help, but at least it would not hurt my chances. So far so good, I'm now past 11 weeks and as far as I know everything is fine.

I've always been one to avoid medications if I can, hormones especially, but this may be my last chance at motherhood so I'm more willing to do whatever it takes. I've got another whole month or more before the pills run out, and I was wondering about other peoples' experiences.... how long did you take it for, did you experience any side effects, any signs of withdrawal when you stopped? I'm probably just over-anxious, but I'd love to hear if you have any experiences you'd like to share. Thanks!!

[AmyKT]

I tried to stop at about 12 weeks but noticed some cramping so I ended up staying on it for another 2 weeks, just to be safe. I think the cramping was just my body adjusting and the baby was fine and strong, but I understand the paranoia. In the last two weeks I took one just every other day so that my body could adjust a little more slowly. I felt soooo much better after I finished them. A lot of the fatique and tummy troubles of the first trimester are made worse with prometrium, but like you, I felt it was worth it for the extra reassurance.

[m0xxie]

Originally Posted by AmyKT

A lot of the fatique and tummy troubles of the first trimester are made worse with prometrium, but like you, I felt it was worth it for the extra reassurance.

I have always suspected that my nausea and tiredness were more extreme because of the pills, it's nice to have that theory validated! Also, very nice and reassuring to see you are so close to your due date now... best of luck to you!!

[MaerynPearl]

I would not worry about it as medicating yourself but rather supplementing your bodies own progesterone production. The amount you are using (200mg) seems like a lot but for most women its only enough to raise their progesterone by 5-20ng. While that is more than enough to put almost anyone at a healthy progesterone level (most doctors like to see it above 10 when not medicated and above 15 when medicated), its nowhere near as much as your body is/will be producing on its own... it just basically tops it all off... Here soon, if you are not already, your body will be producing in excess of 100ng of progesterone itself.

I would only worry if it were synthetic progestins (not natural progesterone) however prometrium is indeed progesterone.

And yes, it can make the early symptoms worse but as the days pass and your natural progesterone ups itself... a lot of the symptoms are just your bodies response to your own progesterone.

[kythryne]

I was on Endometrin (a different progesterone suppository) from the day of my egg retrieval through 12 weeks. My reproductive endocrinologist wanted me to stop cold-turkey at 10 weeks, but my midwife and I weren't comfortable with that, so I did a long slow taper, ending right around 12 weeks. I also had my midwife re-check my progesterone levels as I was tapering.

I did have a little cramping as I was tapering down, but no spotting or bleeding. My energy levels went up after I stopped taking it, but I'm not sure if that was a coincidence, since it was also right around the start of the second trimester and I'd been slowly starting to feel better for a few weeks at that point.

I was very nervous about stopping as my progesterone levels have always been very low, but everything was fine.

[MacKinnon]

I was on 200mg progesterone orally for the first 10 weeks. Again as a "won't do any harm" measure of precaution following early losses. At 10 weeks, I just stopped! I was sure they would want me to taper down or something, but no. I was very nervous the day I took that last pill. But other than feeling like a huge fog lifted off of me, I felt fine. I didn't notice any uptick in cramping or anything.

[mistymama]

I was on prometrium for the first 11 weeks of this pregnancy. I had a previous m/c and my numbers were on the very low side of normal, so I took it to be on the safe side.

I had a day around 9 weeks where I forgot my am pill and by the time I got home late in the evening, I was pretty crampy. That had me worried to just stop at 11 weeks, but my dr. assured me it would be ok. He said I could taper the pills if necessary, but he suggested I try just going off them and see what happens.

I quit taking them at 11 weeks and was just fine, no cramping at all.

Like everyone else, I believe being on the extra progesterone during the first trimester made my symptoms worse - esp the very sore breasts & tummy troubles. But so worth it!!!

I'm now 25 weeks and doing great.