Progesterone question

broncomom1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 04:40 PM

My progesterone came back at 19.9 yesterday with my beta 65. Today the nurse called and said if I wanted to be on progesterone the Dr. would give me a Rx for it. I asked if he thought it was necessary, and she said he would leave it up to me, so I'm supposed to call back tomorrow and let them know. What do you ladies that know about progesterone think? And what are the side effects? I read on one website that if progesterone isnt started prior to pregnancy, then there are no benefits to taking it while pg. She said it certainly wont do any harm if I want to take it. So, what do you all think? Thanks

CaliOC · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 06:24 PM

I have been on progesterone since 2 DPO, November 29th, and I am so happy to be off of it soon. For me, I had no side effects. Well, none that I can tell. My breast were a little bitse sensitive. I have been taking suppositories, so I have to buy pads. Also I am taking 400mg a day. I worked up to that amount from past Clomid and IUI cycles. When they tested my levels at my first beta is was at 21 something and the nurse told me to continue the progesterone until I am 10 wks, new DR wants me to continue until I am 12 wks. She also says that too much progesterone won't hurt. I was put on progesterone because of my mc in July, progesterone level was low, I think at 8, and it needed to be at 15. I am not sure if I helped any, but I woud take them just in case. In case of what? I don't know. Just to have all the bases covered I guess. Good luck!! Glad to hear the numbers doubled!!!

Star622 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 06:37 PM

I was on prometrium capsule vaginally 100x2 a day. Not much as far as side effects besides leakage. I've never read that if it isn't started before pg then it's not useful.

If offered, I'd take it. It's easier to take it rather than wonder about the what-if's. So many doctors are so stubborn about offering it and it makes me mad.

Congratulations!

Kimi · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 06:57 PM

Just lurking here, but I took prometrium (pills). I had a m/c at 11w4d and the next pregnancy they tested my progesterone, and it was only 7. I've never heard that if you didn't take it prior to pregnancy it wasn't useful. From my understanding, it is used to help support the pregnancy. This might be too much information, but the corpus letuem cyst that develops once you ovulate is supposed to support the pregnancy with progesterone. For some unknown reason, sometimes there is a healthy pregnancy but the corpus luteum doesn't provide enough progesterone, that's the benefit of the progesterone the dr's supplement with us. It can give enough progesterone (in theory) until the placenta takes over around 16 weeks.

If it's offered I'd take it. As far as I know I haven't heard any SE from having too much. Good luck!

racechick24 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 11:37 AM

Yep, I'd take it, too!

I'm currently on Prometrium 200mg twice a day vaginally. No s/e's except for having to buy pantyliners d/t the leakage. The RE told me I could stop it at my 8wk appt but I declined and am still on it at almost 10 weeks.

I say if it's offered, take them. They can't hurt.

racechick24 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 01:13 PM

Also wanted to add that I just got my lab results faxed over to me from all the b/w that my OB ordered. My Progesterone level is 77.76. Here is a breakdown on the lab sheet that says what normal progesterone levels should be:

The expected normal range for mentruation females:
Follicular phase 0.15-1.40
Luteal phase 3.34-25.26
Mid Lutual phase 4.44-28.03
Postmenopausal 0.00-0.73

The expected normal range for pregnant females:
First Trimester 11.22-90.00
Second Trimester 25.55-89.40
Third Trimester 48.40-422.50

Also, a girl on the Clomid board that got pg a couple of months ago and her progsterone was low (I can't remember how low but I'm thinking around 12) and she started taking the progesterone and it went up to like 52. This was after she had confirmed the pregnancy.

HTH!

broncomom1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 04:24 PM

Thanks for the info. I spoke with the nurse this a.m. to tell her to go ahead and call it in to the pharmacy for me, and she told me she googled it last night (she just found out shes pregnant too) and some of the side effects. She said that she read that for women that dont really need to take it but do, cleft lips, heart deformities and clotting problems in the mother were listed. That freaked me out since Im not sure I'm at a level where I need it. They were going to order prometrium to be taken orally. I dont know if the form its taken in matters or not. I really dont know what to do.