TMI - Progesterone Vaginal Suppositories. Yay.

MrsHurst333 · September 2012

So last week after my first blood test (yay only one tube!), My doctor called me and told me "Yes, you're definitely pregnant hun. Congratulations! Now I need for you to go to the pharmacy immediately." Those are not comforting words at ALL!!!

Turns out my Progesterone levels are (were) at 10.5 and she wanted them at 20+ so I get to take these lovely 400mg progesterone cream things inside me twice a day, and lay down for 15 minutes (really 30 because it feels so icky and gushy). As the pharmacist said "it's really easy, you just have to use it like a tampon. You'll be fine Smile " Yeah, that's a bunch of BS. Here's my TMI part...I learned from about 4 failed attempts multiple times, that you actually leave the plastic applicator inside for 3 minutes or more until the entire thing melts, while reaching between your legs and holding the thing in...NOT FUN AT ALL!

Since this is my first pregnancy, and my first meet and greet with progesterone suppositories, I don't think we're going to be very good friends. I keep hearing it's normal for fertility specialists to prescribe them often...but I had never heard of it before now!

So yesterday (technically, since it's after midnight here), my doctor called me with my second blood test's results. My estrogen levels are 28000+ and my progesterone is up to 15. Crap. I have to keep taking these stupid things until 12 weeks!!! Nooooooooo!!!! That's not all...I also can't have sex. Or exercise. AT ALL. I understand the sex part and even with these new hormone cravings I can deal with that. But no exercise? Crap! I'm already overweight, and I have scoliosis, and if I don't stay active my back gets worse and starts hurting. What's a girl to do???

Does anyone else have to take these?? I keep looking for info in my books and a little on here...but nothing. Nada. Zilch. And it's frustrating. Please tell me I'm not the only one? Confused

Lauriesoo · September 2012

I'm on Progesterone too, But the kind I have are capsules. They say take them by mouth but my doctor said to use them like suppositories. Maybe you can call your doctor and switch to those. My Progesterone was 9.6. I started them a little less than a week ago. I'm having discharge now, but I just wear a pad just in case.

jesselayne8 · September 2012

I took them with my first pregnancy. There are a few different forms creams, suppositories, pills. Some are once a day and others twice a day. I took a suppository once a day. Are you inserting it while laying down? That's what I did. GL. Twelve weeks will be here soon enough.

firespirit717 · September 2012

I was just put on progesterone. I have to take a 100mg vaginal suppository every night at least until my next appointment at 9 weeks. My doctor will reassess my levels then. My progesterone was 11.4 and my doctor said he prefers to see it above 15, but he isn't concerned with having me get a blood redraw to check my levels again until my appointment in 3 weeks. I think that is kind of odd, if you ask me.

I haven't had the problem of having to hold the suppository in with the applicator for 3 minutes like you have. TMI, I just shove it up there , squeeze those muscles to hold it in (not sure if I have to, I'm just paranoid) then go sit or lay down for awhile before moving again.

I see a lot of people taking higher doses of progesterone than me, it makes me wonder if 100mg is enough.

Do you get your suppositories at a regular pharmacy. Mine are specially made and I have to drive 40 minutes to go to a special compounding pharmacy where they make the suppository themselves. It is a pain and I have to do it 2 more times.

babesonthebrain · September 2012

I'm taking a progesterone gel called crinone. It looks like a tampon and I put it up there once a day in the morning and I have to walk around with it so it absorbs. No leaking and it's easy. The only complaint I have heard about from reading about it is that it builds up in there and u have to pull it out every couple of days. I have not had that problem. Maybe look into a different kind. I like crinone. I know it's expensive and some insurances don't cover it. Worth a try.

Albah · September 2012

Hi there!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I am also using progesterone suppositories twice a day. Mine are wax bullet-shaped pieces that dissolve once inside. I have been using them since 1 DPO due to Luteal Phase Defect/Low progesterone prior to getting pregnant so I've already been on them for a couple of weeks. I will also be taking them until 10-12 weeks. I had a hard time at first but once you get a hang of it, it gets easier!

Out of curiosity, why can't you exercise or have sex? To my knowledge, there is no contraindication to do these things if you are on suppositories. In fact, I've been following my same exercise regimen without an issue.I would call your Ob if I were you and just confirm this because it doesn't make sense to me.

Best of luck!

stephieCA · September 2012

Crinone activiates with activity, so that might be a better product for you. Though the buildup does leak out a bit. But there are no activity restrictions. There are also lozenges that the compounding pharmacies can make. They're called troches (sp?). Of course, there's always progesterone in oil, which is an intramuscular injection... if you're into pain! The advantage, of course, is that there's no doubt that it's staying in your body.

AshasaurusRex · September 2012

Ugh, that does not sound fun at all! I'm on progesterone supplements that I take by mouth. I was at an 11 when we did a blood draw at 8 dpo. When I was pregnant with DD my progesterone was at a 9 and I still took the oral supplements. I'm wondering what the difference between suppositories and oral supplements is.

Rachel Goldstein · September 2012

I was on a vagina suppository cream called Crinone BEFORE I was pregnant. My RE suspected the trouble I was having with conceiving was that my progesterone was too low to support implantation.

I used it for two cycle attempts and the second one worked! I will admit that after about 5 or 6 days the material you've been putting in there starts to build up and the only solution was to use your finger to get some of it out.

Fortunately, after my second beta my progesterone was 37 and I was allowed to come off the supplements. After a year of trying without it I firmly believe that it helped (conceive) more than it hindered (sex).

I was never told to stop having sex though it was a bit yucky so I always told him not to look afterwards and just hop in the shower. My best way of describing the material is like soggy chewed up cardboard only its white. I don't know if this is the same product you are using but just think, if you didn't have it you'd have to worry that much more about your baby.

Did they state why you couldn't exercise? Is that to do with the baby maybe losing its "stickiness"?

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, it certainly was no fun but rest assured there are many women out there who have to use supplements for their first trimester. Better safe than sorry. Fx your numbers keep going up!

Rachel Goldstein · September 2012

AshasaurusRex:
Ugh, that does not sound fun at all! I'm on progesterone supplements that I take by mouth. I was at an 11 when we did a blood draw at 8 dpo. When I was pregnant with DD my progesterone was at a 9 and I still took the oral supplements. I'm wondering what the difference between suppositories and oral supplements is.

When I asked my RE if I could take oral instead of vaginal progesterone he said he would never prescribe it to his patients because the absorption was significantly less. Now I don't know how much credit there is to that but he was very adamant about it.

Albah · September 2012

AshasaurusRex:
Ugh, that does not sound fun at all! I'm on progesterone supplements that I take by mouth. I was at an 11 when we did a blood draw at 8 dpo. When I was pregnant with DD my progesterone was at a 9 and I still took the oral supplements. I'm wondering what the difference between suppositories and oral supplements is.

To my understanding suppositories are absorbed better and closer to the source. If your progesterone level is checked in the blood and you are taking suppositories, it may not reflect the true value. While If you are on oral supplements, you can gage whether you are receiving enough progesterone by looking at the blood level.

kgs0505 · September 2012

I actually have to do progesterone in oil injections everyday in my butt. Supositories are not fun, they are messy. But they are what is keeping you pregnant until the placenta takes over. So smaall price to pay.

AshasaurusRex · September 2012

Albah:
AshasaurusRex:

To my understanding suppositories are absorbed better and closer to the source. If your progesterone level is checked in the blood and you are taking suppositories, it may not reflect the true value. While If you are on oral supplements, you can gage whether you are receiving enough progesterone by looking at the blood level.

Rachel Goldstein:
AshasaurusRex:

When I asked my RE if I could take oral instead of vaginal progesterone he said he would never prescribe it to his patients because the absorption was significantly less. Now I don't know how much credit there is to that but he was very adamant about it.

Interesting, thanks!

MrsHurst333 · September 2012

Wow, I don't feel all alone anymore!! Thank you guys for responding and helping me not feel so weird!

My doctor said that I can't have sex or exercise because the low progesterone makes me a "high risk" pregnancy. This is the only reason I'm sticking to what she said because I don't want to risk losing my first baby. I thought at first maybe I couldn't have sex because I know it can be bad if men are exposed to progesterone, but the more I think about it, I think it's because it could somehow risk the pregnancy. I was always told (previously) that sex was okay during pregnancy to some degree...so hearing that I can't made me somewhat sad lol. Obviously we reached our goal, getting pregnant (or as my hubby likes to call it, "seeded my lawn"), but the new hormones in my body make it difficult to turn him down Confused

My suppositories are 400mg and they are also bullet shaped inside a silicone row of them that you pop out into a holder, which you insert and push into the vagina. I think they are just getting excess build up even though I clean it everyday. Because when I push it in, it sticks to the holder. I do it laying down and stay laying down for about 10-15 minutes, and it usually is fine and stays absorbed. I just don't like having to leave the plastic applicator inside while it melts, because honestly, I'm tiny in there, and it HURTS! I usually can only use regular tampons, and I couldn't ever fit the super ones...embarrassing but true. I'm sure that will all change after my baby is delivered, but it still hurts to use this damn thing! Hopefully I'll be off it by week 12 or so!

Thank you all for your support!!!

Albah · September 2012

Did they give you the option to insert them without the applicator? My bullet-shaped P4's come in a plastic wrapper, I wash my hands, I run them in warm water before removing the plastic, I remove the wrapper, lie down and relax, I spread the labia with one hand and I insert the suppository directly without an applicator aiming towards the back part of the vagina so that I avoid the urethra (it can irritate it if you hit it). They are so thin that if I insert properly I don't feel it. Maybe you can look into this option if possible?

I'm surprised about the no sex and no exercise because of low progesterone, but definitely follow your doctor's recommendations!

Good luck!

babymaker22 · September 2012

kgs0505:
I actually have to do progesterone in oil injections everyday in my butt. Supositories are not fun, they are messy. But they are what is keeping you pregnant until the placenta takes over. So smaall price to pay.

I am doing progesterone in ethyl oleate injections. I either inject in the flank area or my thigh. I have heard about the vagina suppositories, and the injections seem much nicer. I barely feel a poke, and I rarely feel sore where I was last poked. I'm not sure on the difference in absorption, but the RE feels this is best. From what I have heard, surrogates actually have to request the suppositories, otherwise injections are standard. If you don't mind needles, you could ask your OB about this.

L_Pierce · September 2012

I have to use progesterone as well because I had to do IVF and used my frozen embryos this time which resulted in my pregnancy. Since I didn't ovulate, my body isn't making it's own progesterone. I do the injections of the progesterone in oil every night, and use the progesterone cream vaginally twice a day. You just fill the applicator with the cream and insert it like a tampon, the lie down for 15 min. I do wear a pantyliner because some does leak out if I dont have time to lie down for longer. I will also have to do this for the first 12 weeks - and while annoying - SO WORTH IT if it is helping to keep this little guy growing!! I am a pharmacist and it is true that the oral forms of progesterone are absorbed significantly less than the vaginal forms. For pregnancy support you need the higher concentration of the vaginal forms.

seandeann2005@yahoo.com · September 2012

Wow! Lots of us going through this! I have been using progesterone pills. The bottle says to take orally, but the doctor said to use vaginally. Since there are no directions on how to do this, I have just used the plastic applicators from yeast infection medication to get it up there. I use a panty liner since some leaks out, but I don't lay down after using it I have to take it 3 times a day!. Does anyone know if I should be laying down when taking the pills??

MrsHurst333 · September 2012

L_Pierce:
I have to use progesterone as well because I had to do IVF and used my frozen embryos this time which resulted in my pregnancy. Since I didn't ovulate, my body isn't making it's own progesterone. I do the injections of the progesterone in oil every night, and use the progesterone cream vaginally twice a day. You just fill the applicator with the cream and insert it like a tampon, the lie down for 15 min. I do wear a pantyliner because some does leak out if I dont have time to lie down for longer. I will also have to do this for the first 12 weeks - and while annoying - SO WORTH IT if it is helping to keep this little guy growing!! I am a pharmacist and it is true that the oral forms of progesterone are absorbed significantly less than the vaginal forms. For pregnancy support you need the higher concentration of the vaginal forms.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! My mother did IVF many times but her body still rejected her embryos, luckily she found me (I'm adopted). Anyway, thanks for your input! My mom told me she did the shots and the cream 2x/day as well, and wondered why I'm not doing the shot or both. I'm wondering that too, that maybe the shots would be better since my levels only went up to 15. I'll have to ask her

MrsHurst333 · September 2012

Albah:
Did they give you the option to insert them without the applicator? My bullet-shaped P4's come in a plastic wrapper, I wash my hands, I run them in warm water before removing the plastic, I remove the wrapper, lie down and relax, I spread the labia with one hand and I insert the suppository directly without an applicator aiming towards the back part of the vagina so that I avoid the urethra (it can irritate it if you hit it). They are so thin that if I insert properly I don't feel it. Maybe you can look into this option if possible?
I'm surprised about the no sex and no exercise because of low progesterone, but definitely follow your doctor's recommendations!
Good luck!

Nope, I didn't know there were any other options, she just sent me to the pharmacy. I might talk to her about that. I would definitely rather do it myself. The ones are in a blue holder and you pop them out one at a time into the applicator. If I accidentally touch any it melts immediately and gets all over the place. I've noticed now that when I take out the applicator now, it drips all over the place too. It's really a hassle and very messy...do you know what yours is called?

Thanks!!!

MrsHurst333 · September 2012

*** UPDATE ***

Okay, finally talked to my doctor's nurse...she said they don't do the shots because they "are too much hassle and someone has to do it for you, and they are in thick oil. You don't want to do that." Sounds pretty weird to me, I have no problem with my husband helping me, but I know for a fact that I can do it myself...weird.

She also told me to keep taking the one I've been using, but that I can use my finger now instead of the applicator...That's much better! But I'd still prefer the shots if it's better for the baby, and everything I've read says that it is because it goes into the blood stream! Oh well...

Chiara23 · May 2013

Hello... I know this is an old post, hopefully you'll see it. Just wondering how many mg's of progesterone they had you on? I think what was was prescribed is too low. 45 mg once a day. Thanks.

Chiara23 · May 2013

Congrats!! I too have a luteal phase defect. Dr put me on 45 mg of progesterone once a day (started at 4 weeks) and I just miscarried at 6 weeks. I think the progesterone wasn't enough. How many mg's did your dr put you on and how many times a day? I noticed you're in Miami too, who's your dr? Thanks and good luck!

)

Texasangel779 · June 2013

I'm having the same issue. My doctor told me shes prescribing compound suppositories but the pharmacy told me to take them orally. They are a white capsule. Can I ask how you took or used them. I know your post is older I'm just concerned. TY

BeesMomma00 · June 2013

babesonthebrain:
I'm taking a progesterone gel called crinone. It looks like a tampon and I put it up there once a day in the morning and I have to walk around with it so it absorbs. No leaking and it's easy. The only complaint I have heard about from reading about it is that it builds up in there and u have to pull it out every couple of days. I have not had that problem. Maybe look into a different kind. I like crinone. I know it's expensive and some insurances don't cover it. Worth a try.

I hated Crinone.... Have you had to (TMI WARNING) fish the residual gel from your vag yet? It's gross. There is no leaking because this stuff stays in there. What goes in MUST come out at some point.

Bulbuljibashi · June 2013

Progesterone not only helps keep the pregnancy, studies have demonstrated that mothers who were on progesterone suppositories or injections gave birth to babies who were very calm, not inclined to later developing ADHD. Not only that, but their IQ's were 20-40 points above average.

And stay away from carbs. What you eat now will affect your baby for the rest of her/his life. Whatever you have to do (even if it means buying it--yes, it is done), make sure your baby gets breast milk. The science behind its importance is overwhelming.

Be happy on your progesterone. It will keep you calm too. It is neuroprotective (calms and protects your brain). Would your dr approve of yoga?

Best wishes and enjoy this special time.

Bulbuljibashi · June 2013

And by the way, oral progesterone, unless it is a troche ( held under the tongue until it dissolves) is not as good as suppositories. Taking progesterone by mouth greatly increases SHBG, more so than the suppositories. SHBG is a protein that inactivates hormones by binding (kind of like handcuffing them). The free (active ) form of all the hormones goes down

Juneau3 · September 2013

Has anyone gotten pregnant on a prog level less than ten by any chance? I'd love to know please!

megandscott07 · September 2013

Yes, I want to say mine was less than 7 so I started suppositories right away and now I have a beautiful 5 month old

Juneau3 · September 2013

Wow that's great congrats!! I was at an 8 last week and have my hcg this week. They put me on prog vgs right away but it's causing cramps. I'm wondering if I'm getting my period, but I usually don't cramp this early. Anyone else feel cramps on the suppositories?

Kelmay0100 · March 2014

I did three (unsuccessful and painful) cycles with the oil injections and finally got pregnant (my son is now 3) when I switched to the suppositories. My Dr. said that the suppositories are much better because they go directly to the source. Unfortunately(?) because there is no injection into your muscle/blood stream, the blood test for progesterone makes it look like the level is lower than it actually is. In essence, all the progesterone is going to the womb and none is being wasted on the rest of your body. In essence, the reading you're getting from your blood test is the level of progesterone your're producing, NOT taking into account/registering the suppositories.

Schell2013 · March 2014

Waaaa?

megandscott07 · March 2014

I had to use these with DS since my progesterone was only 7 when they first measured! I started with the wax ones from the compounding pharmacy but wasn't a fan...then switched to crinone but like pp stated the buildup is nasty. I then moved to Endometrin which I liked the best. In all, it is a major PITA but I firmly believe they are why I have my beautiful DS today

TMI - Progesterone Vaginal Suppositories. Yay.

Re: TMI - Progesterone Vaginal Suppositories. Yay.

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