Progesterone suppositories...YUCK!

cmd723-z · November 2016

is anyone else taking these terrible progesterone suppositories? If so, how do you deal with them? It's been 2 weeks for me and I (pardon the TMI) leak through a panty liner in only a couple of hours. I don't want to wear full strength pads because they make me feel like I'm wearing a diaper. Are there any wipes or anything like that you carry around with you to combat the gross discharge? Also, has anyone had spotting after using the suppositories?

thank you for listening to my questions and rants!

KM2J · November 2016

Haha, no! We did them for our first IVF transfer. I hated them too! They are so gross!!! I insisted on staying on the injections this time. They are painful sometimes but I sooooo prefer them! I feel your pain though!

mj8215 · November 2016

I'm on those suppositories

we got pregnant on our own but prior to that we were seeing an RE hence the many early blood draws hence the slightly low progesterone in one of them, and here we are

Agree about the grossness...what has helped me so far was to set my alarm 30 min early and stay in bed for 30 min after applying the suppository. Haven't had frank discharge so far.
Fwiw, my friend who is a gyn was very reassuring when I went into panic mode about the low progesterone a few days ago. She said "remember, levels fluctuate a lot during the day, plus the majority of women never get their progesterone levels checked and do fine". So I'm focusing on that

hqinmd · November 2016

Not taking progesterone, but wanted to say that Always Infinity pads are really thin and super absorbent--that's what I used after both pregnancies.

realgoodthing · November 2016

I take them before bed, which really helps with the leakage! My gross question is whether they make anyone else super itchy in their vag? Anything to help baby, of course, but I hate it (and my OB said if my levels haven't gone WAY up today, she's going to double my dosage!).

fiorip · November 2016

I'm taking them but only at bedtime, of course after I wake up I feel like I peed myself as the leakage flows down but during the day there's minimum leakage, a regular liner works. If you must use the progesterone during the day you can try, as someone mentioned, always infinite, I use those when not pregnant and you can barely feel them.

@leilac have you mentioned the itchiness to your Ob? Could it be that you're allergic to one of the components? Doesn't make me itchy at all and I've used them with three pregnancies already.

realgoodthing · November 2016

@fiorip I'Il ask about it for sure. I suspect it's the progesterone, though, since the itch is also, weirdly, usually a PMS symptom for me.

LimeKrazy · November 2016

I take mine fore bed as well (it specifically says to do so on the scrip) and I have only noticed a small amount of discharge.

@leilac I've been on them 3 weeks this time around (3 other times previously) and haven't ever noticed any itching

brmivimo914 · November 2016

I take two suppositories a day - 12 hours apart, so I'm wondering if I'm on a lower dose? It's a generic progesterone with no applicator so that's fun. Man they are expensive, but still the cheapest option. I have found I like the U by kotex light days long. They are very absorbent, but still thin and cover more space (front to back) so it seems to catch the lovely leaking

ThePecks · November 2016

Yup, just gross along with the extra discharge that is normal for pregnancy! Changing out the liners a little more often seems to help me. Mostly, the majority of it gets wiped away in the morning.

VMonte · November 2016

Maybe ask your OBGYN if you can get the Rx to take them orally. I'm on progesterone for this pregnancy and was also on it for my last pregnancy and never had to take it as a suppository.

cmd723-z · November 2016

Wow! I woke up to so many great suggestions! (I don't sleep in that long, I just work nights)

cmd723-z · November 2016

I will ask about the oral progesterone! seems strange that this would not be the first choice for my doctor. may i ask about how much you pay for a week supply? mine are about $100 a week!

cmd723-z · November 2016

Ahh! sorry, I'm new to The Bump and i was using the "at" symbol thinking i was "quoting"... eventually ill get the hang of this.

VMonte · November 2016

@cmandzak723 my copay is $20 for a 30 day supply of the oral progesterone (prometrium). Since its a hormone, it may not be as affective taken orally - but I've had no issues and its brought my levels up.

BoTor091314 · November 2016

Oh! This thread! This has been my biggest (silent) complaint!

I am on the tablet like suppositories 3x/day. All of the discharge (super watery and oddly, all of a sudden) and the itching. Oh, the itching... @leilac I thought I was the only one with this as a PMS symptom!! Now with 2 types of progesterone and 2 types of estrogen, I am a wreck. Emotionally, but also in the panty department! I finally gave up and started using a full pad. It is the only thing that has saved me. RE thinks it is "normal" (and then chuckled at me...WTF??!?)

(OK TMI - DH and I went to see Dr Strange. It was in one of those theaters with the recliners...so I was comfortably reclined throughout the entire experience. As soon as the credits were done we got up to leave...then I bolted to the ladies. Almost fell down all of the stairs...ran into another couple...it was a mess. My liner totally failed and I could feel the loveliness running down my leg. I hope I got to the RR bf anyone noticed. DH was confused/worried).

shstephenson · November 2016

@cmandzak723 I just started the oral form (200mg) yesterday and it was only $10 for a 60 day supply. As @VMonte said, it may not be as affective if taken orally but I would definitely talk to your doctor about it.

realgoodthing · November 2016

Has anyone had any spotting with the progesterone? I had the TINIEST bit today - brown, no cramping, looked more like brown CM than blood and just a few specks when I wipe. I've heard that can happen from the supplements irritating the cervix (I'm taking oral progesterone vaginally), so I'm trying not to get nervous, but it's still not fun!

cmd723-z · November 2016

BoTor091314 said:

Oh! This thread! This has been my biggest (silent) complaint!

I am on the tablet like suppositories 3x/day. All of the discharge (super watery and oddly, all of a sudden) and the itching. Oh, the itching... @leilac I thought I was the only one with this as a PMS symptom!! Now with 2 types of progesterone and 2 types of estrogen, I am a wreck. Emotionally, but also in the panty department! I finally gave up and started using a full pad. It is the only thing that has saved me. RE thinks it is "normal" (and then chuckled at me...WTF??!?)

(OK TMI - DH and I went to see Dr Strange. It was in one of those theaters with the recliners...so I was comfortably reclined throughout the entire experience. As soon as the credits were done we got up to leave...then I bolted to the ladies. Almost fell down all of the stairs...ran into another couple...it was a mess. My liner totally failed and I could feel the loveliness running down my leg. I hope I got to the RR bf anyone noticed. DH was confused/worried).

Oh my this story! Haha I love it!

cmd723-z · November 2016

leilac said:

Has anyone had any spotting with the progesterone? I had the TINIEST bit today - brown, no cramping, looked more like brown CM than blood and just a few specks when I wipe. I've heard that can happen from the supplements irritating the cervix (I'm taking oral progesterone vaginally), so I'm trying not to get nervous, but it's still not fun!

I have the same thing with the "brown cm/ spotting" and was told it's normal. But it freaked me out too!

cmd723-z · November 2016

UPDATE: my husband found "the perfect solution". It's "just stick some cotton balls up in there." Seriously, wow.

ashleyrene09 · November 2016

I'm on them too and constantly changing out my panty liner. The worst is when you sneeze or cough hard...ugh!

cmd723-z · November 2016

@leilac I know this is now kind of an old thread. But just in case you catch this... did your brown spotting ever stop? I will have it on and off again every few days. And my CM (TMI sorry) is also on again, off again kind of "snot" like. It's so frustrating because every time I call the doctor I basically get the whole "it may or not be normal. We will see at the first ultrasound" but they refuse to give me an ultrasound until 7 weeks! So frustrating!

realgoodthing · November 2016

@cmandzak723 It did stop! It only happened twice and my doctor said she wasn't concerned.

cmd723-z · November 2016

@leilac thank you for the quick reply! I've just emailed my RE. They originally told me it's normal too. But now with the "snot-like" discharge I'm starting to worry. Hopefully this will help me get an earlier ultrasound. Did the itching go away?

realgoodthing · November 2016

@cmandzak723 The itching didn't go away, sadly! I think the snot like stuff is probably just leakage! I wouldn't worry too much, though I know that's easier said than done.

cmd723-z · November 2016

@leilac interesting. I have no itch but constant light brown discharge. I hope you are right that it is just leakage. My poor nurse is going to open up an email tomorrow with a very disturbing picture of a goey vagina booger. At least a warned her in the subject line? Lol

LiaMadi1 · November 2016

I had been doing progesterone supplements for a few previous pregnancies, but this round my doctor switched me over to something called Prometrium which are progesterone supplements, but they are a capsule that doesn't need refrigeration and they don't leak AT ALL! They are legit amazing!! They also don't cost anything with my insurance and my other supplement cost $60 for 30 pills and I take them twice a day.

cmd723-z · November 2016

@LiaMadi1 that sounds amazing! I am definitely exploring different options next round. The stress of the suppositories is probably doing more harm than anything! I will look into those. It baffles me that my insurance isn't paying for the progesterone now! It is a prescribed medicine to sustain pregnancy! But anyway, I'll look into the Prometrium.

LiaMadi1 · November 2016

@cmandzak723 I was STUNNED when my RE nurse called and told me about the Prometrium. It has been a literal game changer! I hated the "leaking" feeling and I just felt like the actual progesterone pills weren't actually doing anything other than leaking out. Good Luck!

SongbirdintheCity · November 2016

@cmandzak723 - If you do end up discussing other options with your doc, I've been on Crinone 1x per day and it has been working nicely for me. Pretty much no leaking at all, a super easy applicator and no refrigeration required. The only slight downside (heads up, potential TMI!) is that the nurse recommended that I scoop any remainder out each day before inserting the next dose since not all of it gets absorbed. It kinda has a "snot like" or "gummy paste" consistency, but after a couple days, I totally got over it. I feel it's worth it for minimal side effects, no leakage and convenience!

jennrose89-2 · December 2016

I take 1 at night and I wear a pad because the min. I wake up its a mess and gross and I shower around noon because that when it's most likely done leaking lol yes they are horrible this is my 3rd pregnancy taking them . Only taking until 14weeks so 3 more weeks to go yay!

jennrose89-2 · December 2016

Yes omg so expensive my first pregnancy it was $1,500 for 1 pill a day for 14weeks. 2nd pregnancy was $15! This pregnancy $650

Xath · December 2016

I did the Mikena injections with my last 2 pregnancies starting at 16 weeks to try and stave off preterm labor. Since we moved (and switched OBs), my new OB says he doesn't believe the injections are as effective and wants me to do the suppositories.

Watching this thread with interest; I'll definitely ask about the Prometrium when it's time.

realgoodthing · December 2016

My doctor has me still taking generic Prometrium vaginally until week 12 and I'm both scared to stop and cannot wait! My vag is super irritated and unpleasant.

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Progesterone suppositories...YUCK!

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