anyone taking progesterone?

[BellaLuv]

Has anyone had any experience with this? A couple people have told me that I should consider taking progesterone b/c of my history. Anyone know how it works? Or when you should start taking it? I'm almost 5 weeks, is it too late to start? And, do you take it through the whole pregnancy? Any negative side effects?

I don't have my dr. appt. for another 2 weeks, but I've put a call in to my dr. so I can ask her about this, too, before I come in.

Thanks,
Bella

[LisainCalifornia]

Hi Bella,
I am not now, but I wanted to poke in and say I did. My first two kids are here in part thanks to progesterone suppositories. I actually took Clomid (50mgs. days 5-9) and then used progesterone suppositories from day 18ish (can't remember exactly now!) on until the end of the first trimester--as that is when the placenta takes over nurishing your babe. The first trimester your baby is nurished with the help of progesterone, and then after the first 12 weeks the placenta takes over and you can stop the progesterone.

My progesterone was natural progesterone made by a compounding pharmacy into suppositories--I kept them in the fridge and used them twice a day.

I had tried for 2 years to get pregnant with my first child, and for me the magic bullet was the Clomid and progesterone. First I tried only progesterone, and that did not work--then only Clomid--it was my doctor combined the two that I was able to get pregnant and stay that way.

I hope that helps. And I had no side effects really--only more tiredness and greasier hair. My kids were both very healthy full term babies. They are now 9 and 12.

I did not know at the time that the reason that I was not getting pregnant was part of a bigger hormonal problem for me. I had Luteal Phase Defect then, and later at 33 suddenly experienced premature ovarian failure--which put me into menopause. I am glad I had my kids when I did and was able to use the progesterone to sustain those pregnancies.

Hugs,
Lisa

[AllyRae]

I take 400 mg of oral prometrium every night for a luteal phase defect. I had to start taking it at 3 days post ovulation (otherwise, my luteal phase would have been about 6 days and I would have miscarried for sure). I have to take it until the end of the 1st tri because that's when the placenta takes over...

For me, 5 weeks would have been far too late. I think for most cases of progesterone deficiency, you have to catch it within the first week or two...there may be other reasons to take progesterone though...

[Nora'sMommy]

I took a natural progesterone cream, Pro-gest. You can find it at any health food store. You just apply it daily to soft skinned areas and the palms of your hands. Your body will absorb what it needs. I believe for the most part it is a completely harmless and natural form. I am 2 weeks preggo and am going to get some this week just to ease my mind. (I had some early spotting with my last pregnancy.) I would say just use it until you get out of the critical first trimester.

[BellaLuv]

Thanks all of you for the info. I talked to my dr. this morning, and she is going to prescribe prog. suppositories (to be used 2x/day until 10-12 weeks). Today I am 4 wks, 4 days. My dr. said it wasn't too late to start using it, that in fact this would be the right time to start using it. I asked her about using cream or lotion, and she said she has the best success with the suppositories, that the progesterone works better in that form.

I didn't have bloodwork done after my 2nd m/c, so we don't know if I have a luteal phase defect (she said the prog. really only helps for that). But she said the prog. won't hurt even if I don't have this defect.

Thanks again for sharing your stories.

[AllyRae]

Nah, it definately won't hurt...progesterone's a very good thing...