Does Progesterone keep you from bleeding?

babyquestnortheast

So the past week or so I have a pretty strong "irrational" fear that the pregnancy isn't viable but the progesterone supplements are "keeping it in there" and that when I go to my appt on Wed, it will be disastrous. I've heard ladies talking about "stopping their supplements and AF should show up soon" so in my mind, that means progesterone keeps bleeding from happening. So even though I've had zero spotting, that might just be bc of the prog.

So this isn't a completely made-up fear, correct? It's something that really happens? I want the truth please! 

I know I sound like nutso PgAL... I fully accept this.

mork

My comment's only sideways related: I've been on progesterone since 3DPO, and yet I've been spotting for 8 straight days. So, in that sense, it doesn't stop bleeding.

Brie2010

I've had both experiences.

With my first loss, I was on progesterone.  When it was discovered to be non-viable via u/s, I stopped the progesterone and started bleeding a few days later.  The loss probably would have happened earlier if I had not been on it.

With my second loss, a c/p, I started bleeding while still on progesterone.

ETA: With this pregnancy, I had two spotting incidents while on progesterone.  Both were due to a small SCH, and baby is doing great.

GL!

lotus88

I had the same fears and I asked several OBS at my practice  (they rotate you around with everybody). They said it would not prevent bleeding of an unviable pregnancy. I was on progesterone for my last loss and I didn't have any bleeding (light spotting after sex due to cervical sensitivity- totally expected on progesterone). I wasn't on progesterone for my first two losses. I had a tiny bit of brown pregnancy with my first loss, but my body didn't start bleeding for that until about 11w. So it's not that my body was catches on early without the progesterone either.

Twizzle

When my miscarriage was discovered on ultrasound, I had been on progesterone for several weeks.  After discovering there was no hb, we discussed the options of D&C, Cytotec, or letting it happen naturally.  Since I opted for D&C so I could get the genetic testing, and it couldn't be scheduled until 6 days later, the doc told me to stay on the progesterone so I would not miscarry naturally.  

tcuhoneyb

I was put on progesterone with my last pregnancy that ended in miscarriage by a family practice physician. I had just moved and needed to find a new OBGYN and had already found a family practice doctor I liked. Because I had gone off birth control five months before I got pregnant and had been on it for 12 years I wanted my hormones tested to ensure my progesterone was okay. At 4 weeks it was 8. So I started taking progesterone. At 6w my progesterone was 28.5 but then after 7w the level kept dropping. I had settled on an OBGYN and called the doctor after the second drop in my progesterone and he wanted me to come in to make sure the pregnancy was viable. No matter how much progesterone they added my levels kept dropping. I went in at 8w and all they saw was a yolk sac and fetal pole....the baby stopped growing. The doctor said the reason that I wasn't miscarrying was because of all the progesterone I was taking. I stopped taking it that day and when I went in the next week I had started bleeding but everything was still there. So I had a D&C. This pregnancy I never needed progesterone supplements. My OB says the reason my progesterone was low with the last pregnancy was because it wasn't viable. It would have been a c/p or and early mc. If you have known progesterone problems then it's very different. Progesterone won't stop the mc from happening or bleeding to occur but it can make the baby stay implanted longer. I would stay positive, especially if your levels have been good. I can't wait to hear about your ultrasound on Wednesday. I will be praying for you. (sorry so long)

LLS1215

I've been on progesterone since I was about 4 weeks along. I was fine up until about week 9. I had some spontaneous bleeding. I went in the next day and everything was fine, just a freak incident. It's doesn't stop you from bleeding. My doc told me it just give you a boost until your baby can rely on your placenta. That's why you only take it the first 14 or so weeks.

chloebeth930

I started progesterone at 9DPO (the day I got my BFP).  I had red/pink spotting from 5DPO all the way until 12 weeks (every single day... red spotting) , even on the progesterone.  When I stopped the progesterone around 12 weeks, since the placenta takes over,  the spotting stopped.

tarrrrrag

WanderingStars23:

I thought this exact same thing and brought it up to my RE at my last appt. I said I was afraid I'd miscarry but have no symptoms, because isn't the point of the progesterone to keep me from spotting? She told me the progesterone will only help support a healthy pregnancy. If the pregnancy was non-viable, the progesterone wouldn't make a difference. I would still lose the pregnancy and most likely still begin to spot or bleed. 

This exactly.  I was on progesterone suppositories during my m/c, and I ended up bleeding before I went off of it.  I was having the exact same concerns too.  I really hope that everything works out for you. 

chusum

Sometimes it will delay bleeding if the pregnancy isn't viable. But eventually the bleeding will breakthrough. I was on it during my 3rd loss, my shortest pregnancy, and at just over 6 weeks the bleeding did start even though I was on progesterone. That being said I probably should have stopped earlier since my betas were not rising appropriately.

lkwelter

Just wanted to let you know that I had 2 m/c's and I'm having a healthy pregnancy now and this was the first pregnancy that I used progesterone supplements.  It's a great sign if you're not spotting or cramping:)  Good luck to you I'm sure things will go great:)

LSzwaya

WanderingStars23:

I thought this exact same thing and brought it up to my RE at my last appt. I said I was afraid I'd miscarry but have no symptoms, because isn't the point of the progesterone to keep me from spotting? She told me the progesterone will only help support a healthy pregnancy. If the pregnancy was non-viable, the progesterone wouldn't make a difference. I would still lose the pregnancy and most likely still begin to spot or bleed. 

I could have been the author of this and OP. I had the same fears and my OB said the same thing.

laoch101

Try to relax. The progesterone may prevent it for a little while but not long. Many women go for an 8 wk check and find the baby stopped at 5wks. I had tons of bleeding in my last pregnancy and this one I had one instance of super light smear.

No bleeding and no cramps are a great thing. Oh I'm 26 wks and still on em.  

BarooGirl

Hi BQ. I dont have any answers, but wanted to thank you for asking this. I have the same fear, you're not alone in this.

So, just some ((hugs)) for ya and the tot from me and my tot

LivingItUpInUP

I'm on 200mg of prometrium a day and I've been spotting brown for a week.  I was really scared so I had my dr's office run betas and they came back right where they should be.  I'm sending t&p your way for a good ultrasound.  I want both of us to get our take home babies in November!