Progesterone suppositories

Posted by expat2006 (210 days ago)

Hi everyone,
Has anyone been recommended progesterone suppositories? Can you tell me your experiences with them please? I can feel my AF coming, but because of the supp. it is being restrained. Is this normal? I have yet another week to go (until Tue next) and my 2ww will end on Friday. Must I tell the doc that I want to stop? It is really uncomfortable. I also feel very groggy and tired all the time. Is it a side effect? Any inputs are appreciated.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 788 (210 days ago)

expat2006, please don't stop the suppositories. They are to help with embryo implantation. If you are feeling something one week ahead, may be thats a good sign, eh? All that you are feeling and experiencing is normal. AF will be delayed because of progesterone not restrained. What I mean is that your AF will not come before your 2ww even if you stop your suppositories now. AF should come within a couple/few of days (after) of your last day of 2ww which would be Friday no matter what unless of course you test positive for pregnancy. Your Dr. will probably tell you to stop if and/or when your AF comes after Fri. Hang in there.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (209 days ago)

Thanks 788,
I will hang in here. It is wrecking my moods though and I feel so uncomfortable. I hope the result is positive come Saturday. That will keep me going. Thanks again for your support.
Expat

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hkexpat2007 (209 days ago)

expat 2006. hang in there. you're probably suffering from the effects of the progesterone, which are similar to PMS. if it makes you feel any better, many women say that symptoms of early pregnancy is similar to PMS, so just try to hang in there! I wish you luck!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cbdc (209 days ago)

hi expat 2006 - i have been on progesterone supps each time i did ivf and the prog. was almost as bad as the injections side-effects wise! hang in there, it is only for a limited amount of time. get your rest though, your body is going through a lot.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (208 days ago)

Hi guys,
Do you think I should take a preg test tomorrow? I finish my 2 ww today. Do you think the result will show by tomorrow? I ate two doughnuts and two chocolate bars today. I am already eyeing the bar that is in the fridge. Feel fat and ugly and so damned lethargic.
Hey CBDC,
Can you share your experiences with progesterone please? How many days do you take, how many injections, what side effects, when do your periods resume after stopping, etc etc. I have a post luteal defect and the doc suggested the suppositories. God what a havoc it is causing together with the clomid. Why does it have to be so hard?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (207 days ago)

expat2006,

I have tried the progesterone suppositories and hcg injections to help the corpus luteum. For me, I did not have any side effects with either. I did not like the suppositories much because i would get some leakage after the medication dissolved. Since I experienced no side effects, I never could tell whether they were effective or not. As for the injections (hcg), I would have one every four days. How does your doctor determine whether you have post luteal defect?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (207 days ago)

Hi Keepontrying,
Lucky you for not having any side effects. I am on my first cycle and started last thursday and will continue until coming tuesday with two jabs - one on friday and the other last tuesday. I even called the doc to say that I would like to stop. It is so uncomfortable for me. I have always suspected a luteal phase defect as I have really short cycles. It hasn't affected me in any way for getting pregnant though. Though the doc thought it was good to use them now that I am ttc. My first m/c was diagnosed with one extra chromosome after I did a D&C. The second one was natural and I was glad about that as I didn't want to have another D&C. I am also told that everything appears normal and it is just a matter of bad luck. I just hope for the best. It is very gutting and I actually took some time off this forum to get a grip on my emotions. Anyway... I wish you the very best.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 788 (207 days ago)

how did your pregnancy test go, expat2006?

keepontrying, if your POST OVULATION period is less than 12 days- you might have luteal phase defect. I have a very short cycle as well- 23days exact. BUT, I ovulate on the 10th day and my luteal phase is 13days long. Therefore, even though my cycle is short I do not have luteal phase defect. So check how many days is it after you ovulate and you can figure out whether you have lfd or not.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (206 days ago)

expat2006 and 788,

Now I am confused. Perhaps I misunderstood my doctor and do not have a luteal phase defect. I do not have a short cycle although I can never be too sure now because of the progesterone I have been taking (which is supposed to delay your bleeding). In any event, my cycles are 26/27/28 days. What my doctor tells me is that after ovulation, my lining does not look mature (he measures this with a scan and looks for a complete white out of the lining, i.e., the middle line which is apparent before ovulation disappears after ovulation given the production of progesterone). Given that I seem to have spots (dark areas) here and there, my doctor believes I am not producing enough progesterone which is the reason why he prescribes utrogestan and hcg injections. Are either of you being diagnosed with the same issue (i.e., non mature lining) I am wondering why your doctors are prescribing progesterone.

expat2006, by the way, you mentioned you did not want to have another D&C. Did your doctor suggest cytotec to you at all? I miscarried at 9 weeks a couple of months ago and waited 3 weeks to miscarry naturally but got no bleeding. Rather than going for a D&C then, my doctor prescibed cytotec, an oral medication. It helps your uterus contract. You take it every 3 hours. I took 2 and after 6 hours I was done with all the heavy bleeding. It was a bit uncomfortable given the cramps, but I think it may be a good alternative to a D&C.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (206 days ago)

Hi Keepontrying,
The doc did a vaginal probe on me too to see the thickness of the lining and said it was thin and therefore suggested I take progesterone. My understanding is that luteal phase defect is not only related to short cycles. It is an effect of low progesterone which kicks in during the luteal phase and responsible to build a thick lining. Typically if your cycles are short, as they are with me where I ovulate on the 14th day, but get my periods anytime between 23-27 days, it indicates that there is insufficient progesterone that does not sustain the implantation and the lining is quickly shed off. So if you have a short cycle and ovulate earlier in the cycle and have between 12-14 days after ovulation, it can't be termed LPD. Thus, a short cycle with a shorter post ovulation cycle is one indication. Low progesterone will cause m/c as it does not build lining to cushion the egg. Due to your m/c and without any specific reason, the doc would conduct a probe to see if the lining is thin to not sustain the implantation and therefore cause m/c. He will then prescribe prog to thicken the lining. Don't know if this makes it clear.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cbdc (206 days ago)

PG MENTIONED

hi sorry for the delay in responding.

i was always on progesterone supps during ivf and iui cycles to assist with implantation.
i would always stop the supps after getting a - beta test and my cycle would begin three or four days later. charming. i would start the prog. supps the day of embryo transfer, and continue until beta. if pg, carry on until app 6w into the pg.

i hope that answers your question, and i hope you are feeling well. did you do a hpt?

all best
cbdc

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (205 days ago)

expat2006,

I think perhaps after your description, I do not have luteal phase defect. I will have to ask my doctor to clarify. I was told my cycles are normal and that the thickness of my lining is fine (it measures anywhere between 9 to 11 mm after ovulation. My problem is that I do not get the complete opaqueness or white out on the scan so my doctor believes I am not producing enough progesterone.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (205 days ago)

Hi Keepontrying,
Sorry for confusing you. I hope you are able to find the answer from the doc.

Hi CBDC,
I am going to take the HPT tomorrow morning. I am so nervous. I have always been a chicken and waited for my periods rather then take the test. This time around it is different. I don't know when I should expect my periods. I am sorry to tell you though that I stopped my prog on Friday morning. They were causing so much grief. I felt ugly and bloated and low and tired and everything I didn't want to. So I decided to stop taking them. I think my doc will not be happy with me. I have to see him tomorrow. I haven't got my periods yet. Maybe tomorrow I will. So nervous. I am always so round about this time. Over a year of feeling this way every month. I just want to get pregnant and have the baby not to feel this way anymore - all this stress and anxiety - ugh!
Good luck to you both.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (205 days ago)

expat2006,

I am sorry to hear you are having such bad side effects from the progesterone. May I ask what progesterone you are taking? Is it utrogestan? Or is it elomet (I think that's the name. It's the progesterone suppository). Also what dose are you taking? You mentioned that your lining was thin. How thin is it? And has the progesterone helped to thicken it? Good luck with your doctor's visit tomorrow.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (204 days ago)

Hi Keepontrying,
I am using utrogestan (something like that) one bead like capsule in the morning and one in the evening. I will ask the doc today what the thickness of my lining was and what should ideally be. I don't know if I will be asked to continue on for the next cycle as well. By the way the red flag is up and another cycle of trials and tribulations has begun. I don't want to give up. I don't want to go on. What the hell do I do.
I will keep you posted of my doc visit.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cbdc (204 days ago)

hi expat 2006

there is a great website i have been visiting since 1999 called ivfconnections.com

on that site there are a lot of other women from all walks of life with one goal in mind: conception and a take home baby. they post questions, try to support each other during the down times. one of the questions everyone asks at some point is: i don't want to keep going but i can't stop.

a good place to start would probably be the general ivf board but there are specific boards there. those boards helped me keep my sanity (there was no asiaxpat back then). you might want to check them out.

as for not taking the progesterone, if i read your post correctly and your cycle has started, don't think that you stopping the progesterone messed up your cycle. there are many clinics that don't prescribe progesterone. and so many women get pregnant without the aid of progesterone anyway. if you are not pregnant, unless you were STRONGLY URGED by your dr to be on the progesterone, stopping the progesterone did not cause the negative beta.

take care kitten, i am sorry this is all so painful and confusing and draining.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cch (204 days ago)

hi expat2006
this may not help your current situation, but its oestrogen that builds up the lining in the uterus. The progesterone then stabilizes the built up lining and converts the lining into that which is suitable for implantation. So its actually not logical to prescribe progesterone to thicken the lining. It doesnt work that way.
This is not to say the progesterone isn't very useful to support the lining while the embryo is trying to implant.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (204 days ago)

Hey CBDC,
Thanks for lending me the support. I really needed that. I think it is a typical first day syndrome. Come the 12th, 13th and 14th day, it is all about being busy. Thank you also for suggesting the IVF connections website. I will take a peek in there and probably find some answers for myself. I am also now with a doc who actually chats and asks me if there are any questions and goes into the history to see what needs to be done next. My previous experience unfortunately was not good and made it harder for me. I am hoping for the best for the next year. I hope the same for you. I haven't asked you how you are doing. I won't be much of a help for IVF as I don't know anything about it, but I think the trials are parallel, so I will be all ears.

Hey CCH,
Thanks for that info. I haven't yet understood the reasons why the doc has suggested the medication - whether it is the lining or stabilising the lining that needs help, but will ask him abou it. He did mention that he will change the dosage for next time. My tiredness was at such epic levels that I was almost c*ck-eyed at work, half way between sleep and awake.

Thanks again guys. What would I do without you. Anyone away for hols?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (204 days ago)

expat2006,

How did your doctor's visit go? Since the utrogestan gets you so tired, perhaps you could try another form of progesterone. I used elomet (i think that's how it's spelled) which was a progesterone suppository. I did not have any side effects from this, so perhaps your body might take this medication a little bit better. The other option are hcg injections which help your corpus luteum produce more progesterone and estrogen. You may want to ask your doctor about these options. Good luck!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cch (203 days ago)

hi expat2006
I think elomet is a steroid, not a type of progesterone. But theres a new vaginal progesterone called endometrin thats recently come to hong kong. its used a lot in ivf overseas. Maybe it has less side effects for you?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hkexpat2007 (203 days ago)

expat2006, talk to your doctor about getting hcg shots in lieu of progesterone supplements (one shortly after ovulation, and the second about a week later). i found that the effects were a lot less pronounced than either the progesterone injections or suppositories. actually, i think I hardly noticed the effects of hcg.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (199 days ago)

expat2006,

I would agree with hkexpat2007. I prefer the hcg injections over the progesterone supplements. I have read somewhere that hcg injections help your corpus luteum produce both progesterone and estrogen. This, I think, then helps your body to maintain the progesterone and estrogen balance (verses just taking progesterone supplements alone).

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (189 days ago)

Hi keepontrying, cch, havefaith, cbdc, expat2007,
how have you all been? feel more positive this year? I do. I think it will be a wonderful year for all of us.

havefaith,
I sent a special prayer for you on xmas day. I hope and pray that you will be successful this year.

keepontrying,
how is your progress with ttc and the shots and all that goes with ttc?

I went again to the doc and got my results for chromosome tests - perfectly normal. So after eliminating all reasons and possibilities that might have led to the m/c, I have been told, I am perfectly normal - something I knew from the start, only I had to pay a ton of money to determine that scientifically. And not to forget the copius amount of blood donated every visit and the other operations that I would have had if I followed other doctors (which I didn't). My current doc (whom I could adopt if possible as he is so fantastic) took me off clomid and asked me to go natural. I had a v.v.v. faint line on the day I started my periods and he suspects that the post-ovulation is where the problem is. So once again, I am given vaginal suppositories called Endometrium which he says will be less drowsy and will probably do the trick and hcg shots. Ho hum...

How are the rest of you fairing in your trials and tribulations? I returned from my hols a few days before and it gave me some time for soul searching and gaining more confidence and hope for myself. I needed that.

Happy New Year to you all and the very best for this year.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Havefaith (188 days ago)

expat2006,

Thank you for your prayers. I too wish you and everyone else on this site a successful 2008.

Lots of babydust!

HF

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (186 days ago)

expat2006,

I am trying my best to stay positive. But it's not easy given all the failed attempts. As much as I keep saying that I have to keep on trying, I have to say that with each failed attempt, I just get a little bit more down and sometimes I wonder if I should just give it all up. I then pick myself back up and then keep going again. As I am on holiday I am off the injections for this cycle and will go natural this once. We shall see how it goes. When I get back to Hong Kong, I plan to give Troy Sing a call and look into how acupuncture could possibly help me. Yes, I sure hope this will be a wonderful year for everyone. Happy New Year to everyone and wishing everyone all the best in 2008!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by purefit (179 days ago)

expat2006, I too made a prayer for you in my heart. Hope things work out for you with progestrone. We all have many problems in life.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by expat2006 (179 days ago)

Hiya Purefit,
Thank you so much for your prayers. I am sure they will all work their way for me to be successful. For two years now, this is the sole thought in me - baby, baby oh! baby. But I gotta wait for my turn. If only I could take away the mild ache that lingers and that bit of envy when I see other mums.

How are you fairing with your pregnancy? I read your thread. Congratulations. Are you still working out as before? It is funny - I have seen women fully pregnant in India carrying bricks at a construction site and in Africa bearing large water pitchers. They eat what they want or sometimes nothing maybe and yet continue to bear beautiful and healthy children. All the same, if I were you, I too will be watchful of what I eat and do.
Keep well my dear and the very best to you too...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by purefit (178 days ago)

Thanks expat2006. Unfortunately, I have been feeling quesy after the initial 6 wks and it feels like I am sick most of the time, couldn't work out. But I just wanted to tell you, I have had lots and lots of issues with my health in the past. So just hang in there sweetie, everything will work out one day. I think if after all that I've suffered if I have come here so can you. We should start a thread where we all should send out our best wishes to each other so that our lives ahead would be easier than they have been, don't know if that would work but it sure feel good to have that support. All the best to you! I hope this helps.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by vylli (170 days ago)

Hi,

I stumbled upon this while searching "hong kong doctor progesterone". Would any of you be so kind as to give me the names of the doctors who prescribe you progesterone? I am totally lost as to what doctors in HK are willing to work with bio-identical progesterone (not progestins) and clearly all the ones mentioned here do. PLEASE help--very desperate!

(I am based in Hong Kong)