IVF/IUI ladies -- your preferred progesterone?

farmerlynda · October 2011

So, for my IVF cycle, I "get to pick" (wahoo! how exciting! just like Christmas!) one of the forms of progesterone I'll be taking. I get to choose between injectable (once a day), Crinone (twice a day), and suppositories (3 times a day). I think the injects are the cheapest, and Crinone the most expensive.

I initially said I'd take the injects because then I'd only have to do it once -- but that was before I realized just how many shots I'd be giving myself. So now I'm thinking maybe I should go for the "vaginal tablets" or gel.

Which would you pick, and why? Any ugly side effects you've experienced of any of these progesterone types?

Blueyed228 · October 2011

I used the suppositories and I preferred that to injections because I was already taking injections for stims.

Shayliz · October 2011

The suppositories suck because they are leaky, but they aren't bad. I did PIO injectibles for about a week and didn't mind those either, I didn't have any issues with bumps or bruising that some do, but I have some extra cushion in the shot area..lol. I'm surprised PIO is the cheapest, 60 suppositories for me are $12 and after needles, syringes, etc my PIO for a 30 day supply was about $120!

I've heard of way more side effects related to the injection site for PIO than for the suppositories, I don't have any experience with Crinone though.

bumpuser6119831 · October 2011

I am on the "vaginal tablets" for the simple fact that I did not feel comfortable giving myself the injection in my butt. I do not mind the tablets and have not had any crazy symptoms minus the fact that my nipples are sore when you push on them. It is a little messy but the further I get with doing them the happier I am that I went this way because I do not have the daily anxiety about having to get/give myself another shot.

Good luck with your choice!

Blueyed228 · October 2011

Just make sure to wear a panty liner with the sup's the next day.

misstrish521 · October 2011

If it were me I'd go with injects. I don't like the idea of vag suppositories. I don't know why, maybe because of the mess. lol

farmerlynda · October 2011

Shayliz:
The suppositories suck because they are leaky, but they aren't bad. I did PIO injectibles for about a week and didn't mind those either, I didn't have any issues with bumps or bruising that some do, but I have some extra cushion in the shot area..lol. I'm surprised PIO is the cheapest, 60 suppositories for me are $12 and after needles, syringes, etc my PIO for a 30 day supply was about $120!
I've heard of way more side effects related to the injection site for PIO than for the suppositories, I don't have any experience with Crinone though.

Wow that's so much more affordable than my options! My RE orders through some mail-order pharmacy and the Endometrin is $260, Crinone is $550. And those are on top of the Estradiol suppository which is mandatory.

limpetfan · October 2011

I chose the progesterone supps, 3x a day. I chose that twice. I feel really strongly that PIO is an unnecessary ordeal to put yourself through, especially given all the other wonderful bodily ordeals IVF puts you through by its very nature. I'd much rather deal with a little suppository leakage than an IM shot that could leave me bruised and sore for weeks! I've found that buying the super-absorbent pantyliners takes care of most of the mess from the supps, and the only side effects I get are sore boobs and break outs... which I get in my 2WWs anyway.

Good luck!

farmerlynda · October 2011

limpetfan:
I chose the progesterone supps, 3x a day. I chose that twice. I feel really strongly that PIO is an unnecessary ordeal to put yourself through, especially given all the other wonderful bodily ordeals IVF puts you through by its very nature. I'd much rather deal with a little suppository leakage than an IM shot that could leave me bruised and sore for weeks! I've found that buying the super-absorbent pantyliners takes care of most of the mess from the supps, and the only side effects I get are sore boobs and break outs... which I get in my 2WWs anyway.
Good luck!

Thanks! Yup, sore boobs and break outs are par for the course for me too in 2WW... And I'm starting to think that maybe the supps are the way to go.

Gregermis · October 2011

I'd take suppositories over injects, but I really really hate needles and would do anything to avoid them

sbrowns08 · October 2011

My clinic prescribes supps for 95% of their IVFs. That said, i got my period on 200mgs of Prometrium last IUI, so I'll insist on PIO. I figure if I'm already spending ten grand on IVF, then I want to cover my bases. I haven't talked it over with my RE yet though.

I'll be curious as to what you decide!

adoruhbul · October 2011

Honestly I've done them all and prefer the injects.Vaginal suppositories- hellish for me.. even with a panty liner there's leakage and I'm worried way too much is coming out.Crinone- for me is the next best thing from injections. It has some build up but it all stays in and I worry less about whether or not I was getting it all.PIO- my favorite by far. After a low p4 test on Crinone my doctor was.never sure if I really had low progesteroe or not because it doesn't show up in the blood stream. He gave me it in ethyl oleate instead of sesame so I could use a smaller needle. I had no issue with it and would never go back to anything else.

2have2hold · October 2011

limpetfan:
I chose the progesterone supps, 3x a day. I chose that twice. I feel really strongly that PIO is an unnecessary ordeal to put yourself through, especially given all the other wonderful bodily ordeals IVF puts you through by its very nature. I'd much rather deal with a little suppository leakage than an IM shot that could leave me bruised and sore for weeks! I've found that buying the super-absorbent pantyliners takes care of most of the mess from the supps, and the only side effects I get are sore boobs and break outs... which I get in my 2WWs anyway.
Good luck!

This x100000000000000. I freakn hate needles, and I'll do anything to avoid them.

RileyGrace · October 2011

I hope you don't mind a SAIF response.

I just wanted to offer up a different perspective to consider. I was pg twice, lost the first. Both times my P4 levels were incredibly low. 2.24 on 3x a day supps, I never knowingly had a P4 over 10. I can't speak to crinone, but I'm pretty sure it tests the same as supps. Supps go straight to your ute, therefore won't show up in your bloodwork. Injections will show up in your bloodwork. Most of the time it really doesn't matter, but if you end up in a situation like I did, it would have been more comforting to know my total P4 levels. In my situation, I just had to pray that the supps were working well enough. It was very stressful.

We had expected pg#2 to also be a loss, and my RE and I had agreed that the next time we'd use injections, even though I can't stand the needles, because it would offer more peace of mind. I will just injections whenever we start treatments again.

Anyway, just wanted to offer that as something to consider.

Personally, all of them have downsides, I'd pick based on whatever will make you feel the least stressed and the least uncomfortable, since you're going to get knocked up and have to use them until 8-12 weeks along!

Good luck!!!

mandalinn25 · October 2011

I was given a choice of Endometrium 3x a day or the PIO. I went with the PIO, haven't taken it yet, but for me it was the easier choice. I hate supps with a passion and needles don't bug me that much. We will see after I start them though, lol.

byrne15 · October 2011

My RE says the PIO and crinone are equally effective. He prescribes PIO only about 5% of the time since the side effects seem to be greater.

I have been on prometrium for 2 cycles and will be taking crinone for the next 2-3 injectable cycles.

DrRx · October 2011

I didn't have an option for after the ER and ET, and my RE put me on Progesterone in Ethyl Oleate, which as a PP said is thinner and you get to use a smaller needle. It also only cost me about $13 through my insurance. Once I had my u/s and we saw the heartbeat, they said that I could switch to the suppositories if I wanted, but I didn't want to do it twice a day and worry about the mess. Plus, I'd heard that some women spot on that and crinone since it can irritate it, and I just think that I would really worry about that. I figured, I did shots for this long, what's another 4 weeks?

That being said, I can't wait to finish next week! I'm counting down 7 more shots, and I will be glad when it will be over. Some days the soreness is worse then others and other days I don't feel anything at all.

Good luck on your upcoming IVF!

Shayliz · October 2011

farmerlynda:
Shayliz:
The suppositories suck because they are leaky, but they aren't bad. I did PIO injectibles for about a week and didn't mind those either, I didn't have any issues with bumps or bruising that some do, but I have some extra cushion in the shot area..lol. I'm surprised PIO is the cheapest, 60 suppositories for me are $12 and after needles, syringes, etc my PIO for a 30 day supply was about $120!
I've heard of way more side effects related to the injection site for PIO than for the suppositories, I don't have any experience with Crinone though.
Wow that's so much more affordable than my options! My RE orders through some mail-order pharmacy and the Endometrin is $260, Crinone is $550. And those are on top of the Estradiol suppository which is mandatory.

wow! Are you able to shop around for better pricing? My PIO was from Walgreens (not their specialty pharmacy, just a regular retail one) and I got the suppositories from the hospital pharmacy.

bandwife928 · October 2011

I've only ever done PIO and would not ask to change. Knowing my p4 level is reassuring and you can never be sure what it really is if you aren't using PIO. I did the shots myself and did not think they were that big of a deal. I had some bruising but it wasn't anything the seat warmers in my car didn't take care of. Plus, I felt like a bada$$ being able to give myself that shot.

Aegis2005 · October 2011

I've been doing injects for about three weeks now (although mine is in ethyl oleate instead of oil, and I've heard because it's not quite as thick it goes in easier). I'm officially on progesterone for approximately the next 8 weeks and my RE gave me the option of switching to suppositories. Having had a friend who did the suppositories, I'm sticking to the injections. Yes, I'm bruised and welty, but I think "leaking" would bother me more than a bruised section of my behind.

Mrs.Slick · October 2011

I'm not a fan of the supps for before mention reasons and I got an almost progesterone burn?? on my lady bits from the vag tabs. I'm doing PIO for my FET and couldn't be more excited b/c my vag needs a break. And PIO is cheaper than the Endometrin for me too.

hootie123 · October 2011

I've only done the PIO - and it is cheaper OOP than endometrin. They gave me the option of choosing -and I picked PIO since the idea of a supp three times a day (and having to do it at work!) made me pick the PIO. I complained the first few days - but it got easier. I'm glad I picked PIO and I am doing it again this time.

genmalone · October 2011

I agree with PP. Can you shop around? I just picked up Endometrin at Walgreen's yesterday and it was $189. It would of been cheaper at their specialty pharmacy.

cutebride73 · October 2011

I've never done the supps, although I am supposed to use them after my IUI this cycle (if I didn't miss my surge). They leakage factor makes me the most unhappy - I am not looking forward to that. Yick.

I have done PIO twice for my IVF cycles and it really wasn't that bad. I put heat on the area for like 10 minutes, then iced for a minute while DH got the inject ready. Then he did it, massaged the area for a minute or so after and I put heat on it again for another 10 minutes. We did them before bed because it was a long routine, but it wasn't bad at all.

OnTheLanai · October 2011

farmerlynda:
So, for my IVF cycle, I "get to pick" (wahoo! how exciting! just like Christmas!) one of the forms of progesterone I'll be taking. I get to choose between injectable (once a day), Crinone (twice a day), and suppositories (3 times a day). I think the injects are the cheapest, and Crinone the most expensive.
I initially said I'd take the injects because then I'd only have to do it once -- but that was before I realized just how many shots I'd be giving myself. So now I'm thinking maybe I should go for the "vaginal tablets" or gel.
Which would you pick, and why? Any ugly side effects you've experienced of any of these progesterone types?

I prefer PIO because it works better for my body. Although I am interested in trying the gel. I dont like the suppositories, because they don't keep my period away like I need with my LPD

STL34 · October 2011

My RE requires you to use PIO and supps. I did PIO and endometrin (2x a day) for my first two cycles and PIO and crinone (1x a day) for my third cycle.

I prefer the PIO. It can cause some bruising. But it isn't disgusting and leaky and it doesn't irritate my cervix like endometrin and crinone. Between endometrin and crinone, crinone caused me a lot less problems. Endometrin irritated things so much I ended up with a lot of spotting while on it. Crinone has only caused a little and I've been on it a lot longer than I was ever on endometrin.

Good luck!!

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