PIO or Endometrin?

cbeney

I've used Endometrin for my IUI's, and while gross, at least it wasnt doing more shots

I was assuming for IVF that I would do PIO, but my doc told me I could use Endometrin. Is one better than the other? I don't want to mess anything up, so I just want to make sure I'm using the best progesterone supplement I can during IVF ?

Does it matter which one you use??

sweetky_06

I think each doctor has their own preference. And, they may consider whether your insurance covers different things as they prescribe them - I have Prometrium instead of PIO (for OOP, PIO is much cheaper). My Dr. said most people will do anything they can to avoid the "big shots" and he's seen no evidence of outcomes being affected.

steveandkim2

I honestly think it comes down to RE preference/insurance costs.

Dragonfly1226

I also had a choice. My RE said they all worked the same. I chose PIO because I would rather do a shot once a day and be done than leak all day. When I told my nurse, she said that my RE does prefer PIO. I think REs do have preferences, but there is research that shows they all work the same.

GL! 

patchen30

My RE is old school about it and only allows PIO for IVF...for some reason they still believe it's more effective.

m&m2006

i honestly just think it depends on your doctor.  i did endometrin with this last ivf cycle.

good luck to you!

krissyh21

I had done PIO for my first 2 IVFs and then switched to a new clinic and the RE had the protocol of edometrium over PIO. I discussed at length with him my concerns about switching from PIO and he pulled up quite a few studies showing that one is no better then the other. 

In the end, I kind of wish I stuck to the pio because I hated suppositories, but as you can see from my siggy - it all worked out pretty good.

Good luck!  

roselln2

Dragonfly1226:

I also had a choice. My RE said they all worked the same. I chose PIO because I would rather do a shot once a day and be done than leak all day. When I told my nurse, she said that my RE does prefer PIO. I think REs do have preferences, but there is research that shows they all work the same.

GL! 

This!

smeyer

Research has concluded that any/either form of progesterone does the job so it's largely RE preference.  For my 1st 2 fresh cycles, I used PIO.  After we switched clinics, my new RE preferred Prometrium suppositories for my fresh cycle as well as my FETs.

MrsTeacherTrooper

I've used Endometrin for my IUIs, but Crinone for my IVF.  My office does not use PIO.

MrsP71506

Like everyone said I think it just depends on your RE's preference.

I used PIO for my fresh cycle and I still started spotting early.  For my FET I used both endometrin and PIO and that seemed to keep my period away. but I don't think it is because I used endometrin I think it is just because I had double the amount of progesterone.   

cbeney

Thanks so much for your responses! ?:)

c0debabe

My RE has everyone use PIO for at least 4 weeks.  After that you can switch to Endometrin if you like.  I switched and I was much happier with the Endometrin than PIO.  The first couple of weeks on PIO were okay, but after 4 weeks my butt was so bruised and sore, I was miserable.  Endometrin does have the terrible clumpy discharge but at least it didn't hurt to sit in my chair all day at work.

The bottom line is that doing either for 10 weeks sucks--you just have to decide which is worse.

nikinikinine

I used endometrin. I think it's gross but better than shots (in terms of discomfort). My lining was fine through my cycle and my pregnancy so I don't think it matters which you choose.

My doctor prescribes progesterone based on patient preference and OOP cost. PIO is the cheapest, endometrin is the most expensive. Typically if you are OOP he'll prescribe PIO to help cut down on the cost. 

GL!