Progesterone injections Side effects / experiences

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

Hey ladies. I'm sure some of you are on progesterone medication. I start today. Can you please share your experiences and side effects you have had with the medication.

My biggest concern with any hormonal med is becoming a crazy psycho chick. I don't want to be all crazy hormonal, I'm already crazy hormonal enough lol. Anyone have more mood swings?

(I did a search but I didn't want to reopen a zombie thread that was only about one person's discharge)

yl1m32015 · July 2015

I was on progesterone all through 1st trimester. I honestly didn't have any side effects. Hopefully it won't be too rough on you!

breezypip · July 2015

I was on them for a couple IVF cycles, and I didn't notice any mood swings or any major side effects. I would say I felt tired more often, but nothing extreme.

My one tip with the injection if you've never done it before would be to warm it up to body temperature by putting it under your armpit for a few minutes. It helps it go in smoother since it tends to be thick.

MrsBwIVF · July 2015

I did the shots for about 9 weeks, twice daily. I couldn't notice any real side effects other than a very sore back.
I always iced the area for a few minutes beforehand. I also did what PP suggested and warmed the needle in the other hand while icing. Afterwards, make sure to really rub out the area you injected so you don't get lumps forming. With us doing it so often, the dr suggested I also use a heating pad on medium for 10-15 minutes after to disperse it more.

TwoDogMomma · July 2015

I didn't have any problems from the progesterone itself, and I was on it through my 9th week. I do still have some numbness/pain on my right side where the injections were done. If you can do the Crinone applicators, I'd recommend that over Progesterone in Oil if your insurance will cover it. Unfortunately, mine didn't want to pay for the Crinone.

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

Thank you for sharing ladies! I have to get them weekly from now until 36 weeks. So hopefully I'll get used to it. The nurse who gave me my injection just now, came to my house! I thought that was pretty cool that they come to you and inject it for you! The shot itself didn't hurt at all, now I guess I'll just wait to see what happens.

breezypip · July 2015

@Marchmellow2 wow! That's so nice that a nurse comes out to do if! My DH had to give me mine and the poor thing was terrified at first because he didn't want to hurt me. The only times it really hurt was when he was nervous and didn't "commit" to jabbing it in fast. So usually I would begin by yelling "just go for it! Like a dart! Quick and smooth!" After a while he was pro though :-) Once or twice I bled an I though he was going to cry, he felt so bad. So yeah, I'm jealous!

Cbradyfriedt · July 2015

I had two shots and I got a rash at the injection site. My dr switched to suppositories and I was allergic to those as well. My dr said its not common to have a reaction to them. Hope it goes well for ya!

Beckah31 · July 2015

I start my weekly shots tomorrow! I'm giving them to myself mostly, but I did 9 weeks of daily shots for two IVF cycles. I figure once a week will be a breeze.
I didn't have any major side effects, I'm probably weird in that I think icing the area makes it hurt more, but I second warming up the shot. I usually stick the vial in my bra for a few minutes, not sure your nurse will do that for ya!

janma529 · July 2015

I think my daily injections might have contributed to my first trimester bloat and tiredness, but I definitely did not have mood swings.

LeahMGA · July 2015

I get the shots once weekly at a clinic. The nurse actually does them over a minute, which sounds like it would be torture, but I guess the slow release causes less pain according to her. I made myself a sticker chart for every week I get one since it isn't the most pleasant. I'm on them until 37 weeks too. Good luck!

AlejandraN2 · July 2015

I don't have any progesterone advice, but @Marchmellow2 i wanted to check in with you. Did you get Amnio results?

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

AlejandraN2 said:
I don't have any progesterone advice, but @Marchmellow2 i wanted to check in with you. Did you get Amnio results?

Yes thank you for asking! Sorry I didn't post an official update! My early results came back negative for everything!! We are having a perfectly healthy baby boy!

mrsmosley7 · July 2015

@Marchmellow2 - I'm on the same injections to prevent preterm labor. I start next week. We need to be each other's support. I'm a tad nervous about starting, but I've spoken with my nurse, and she seems to be nice. Fingers crossed.

Are you on injections to prevent preterm labor also? I had my son at 32 weeks spontaneously. They couldn't tell me why I went into labor. Everything else was normal.

AlejandraN2 · July 2015

Yayyy that makes me so happy! Woohoo!! Worth the amnio hassle right?

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

Oh totally! I'd recommend the amnio to anyone for sure! My MFM has been doing amnios for 15 years and never once had a miscarriage. So that made it much easier. It was worth it 10000%!

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

mrsmosley7 said:
@Marchmellow2 - I'm on the same injections to prevent preterm labor. I start next week. We need to be each other's support. I'm a tad nervous about starting, but I've spoken with my nurse, and she seems to be nice. Fingers crossed.

Are you on injections to prevent preterm labor also? I had my son at 32 weeks spontaneously. They couldn't tell me why I went into labor. Everything else was normal.

Yes, like you, it's to prevent preterm labor again. My DS was born at 34 weeks. I had no signs that anything was wrong. My water just suddenly broke. They couldn't tell me why I went into labor either. The shot was so simple. I was scared it would hurt. Like PP my nurse does a slow release. She injected for like 2 minutes and it didn't hurt one bit! Good luck to you!! Hopefully we go full term this time!!

AlejandraN2 · July 2015

I was offered the shots too because i also went into labor early (36 weeks), but like you no telling signs, water just broke. I declined the shots, but we compromised on them measuring the length of my cervix every 2 weeks with ultrasounds. Did they suggest you do that too?

Marchmellow2 · July 2015

AlejandraN2 said:
I was offered the shots too because i also went into labor early (36 weeks), but like you no telling signs, water just broke. I declined the shots, but we compromised on them measuring the length of my cervix every 2 weeks with ultrasounds. Did they suggest you do that too?

No. My cervix is very long and hard. (Hahahah! That sounds so dirty and nice at the same time) My cervix doesn't dilate either so maybe that's why they didn't offer that to me. Or maybe they will offer cervix checks later in my pregnancy...? Is your cervix on the shorter/softer side?

AlejandraN2 · July 2015

Nop not at all - and wasn't last time either. I think since it's one of the signs for early labor and I declined the shots, this was the compromise to track if I'll go early again.

Beckah31 · July 2015

We still aren't sure if I had Cervical Insufficiency or preterm labor with my twins. I suddenly went into labor at 23 weeks after having a slightly short- not in the danger zone, just shortish- but hard cervix that morning. By 11pm I was transitioning. So we went with the stitch and stick approach. A pre-emptive cerclage (not the most fun, but I'd die of fear at every little twinge if I didn't have it) and shots starting at 16 weeks. Finger crossed for 38+weeks for all!

mrsmosley7 · July 2015

I didn't have problems with my cervix either. Although the first time around I only had 2 ultrasounds (at my initial appt, and at 20 weeks), so a lot could of happened between then and 32 weeks.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's nice to know other Mama's are going through this also. I don't know anyone who's done it. My doc said they would monitor me like normal. I was kind of hoping for an extra ultrasound or two, but if they don't think I need it, we'll just pray. Good luck to all!

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