Give me the low down on Progesterone

[ashbosity]

I start my first cycle with Progesterone tonight. I have 200mg capsules to take vaginally before bed. Am I just supposed to shove it up there as far as I can? I have read enough to know I will probably need a pantyliner. I was given 30 with 3 refills. I guess if I get BFP I'll be on it for a while. Anyone know on that? Also, how much does Progesterone cost? I wasn't charged but I think it's because I have money on my insurance account. GoodRx says about $80 (maybe without insurance?) but I had read personal accounts of much less as well. Anyone experience side effects? Thanks for any info!

[Ann612]

The pharmacist told me it doesn't have to be too deep, I just stick my finger in most of the way. The suppositories only cost me $30, but it would all depend on insurance. And yes, if you get PG, you will stay on it.

For me, side effects have just been emotional. I will cry at commercials towards the end of the 2WW on that stuff. I am also on Crinone though, and a pill.

[dancerspose]

I've never actually used it, but was given a prescription of it for my cancelled cycle that's still sitting in my fridge. I didn't have any insurance coverage for them and 30 suppositories also only cost me about $30.

[Deleted]

I really do hate taking them, and I'm on them 3x a day. I just stick my finger up there as far as it'll go. It's better in the morning and at night, as I can just lay down for a few minutes to let it sit in there and start to dissolve.

The only side effect, besides needing the panty liners, is being emotional. I'm also on 2 estrogen patches, so I'm sure that doesn't help much either. But that's it.

[helloamanda]

They usually put me on the Crinone gel, so I'm not sure about the whole pill thing. I absolutely hate it lol It makes my boobs soo sore. I was on it 2x a day the last cycle, so by the time AF came I was tired of shoving stuff up there that I didn't even want to use a tampon and just used pads lol

[bluejoan]

I was on Endometrin & PIO for IVF and other than needing a pantyliner and being super emotional my biggest side effect was huge boobs. I outgrew my bras in a few days. I'm already a D cup so that wasn't pleasant.

[rainbowbridge14]

I did prometrium for 3 of my IUIs. I agree with PPs that you just get it up there as much as you can with your finger. It is much easier if you angle towards the back of your body and put your leg up on something like the toilet or side of the tub.

I also had mostly emotional side effects. Tears came far too easily and I would get angrier or upset so much easier. The worst fights I have gotten in with DH during our IF journey were all when I was on progesterone.

[deelopi9]

I have two words for you "panty-liners". Progesterone suppositories made me tired by like 8pm, crazy vivid dreams, sore boobs, emotional. In the morning when I showered I usually scooped out the left over progesterone inside (sorry a little TMI) helps with the progesterone coming out. Don't be surprised if you spot pink, it could be irritation to the cervix. Happened to me and I freaked out, called RE and that's what he said. If you plan on having sex place progesterone after sexy time. Good Luck

[ldubhawksfan]

Jan 23, 2015 12:39:51 GMT -5 ashbosity said:

I start my first cycle with Progesterone tonight. I have 200mg capsules to take vaginally before bed. Am I just supposed to shove it up there as far as I can? I have read enough to know I will probably need a pantyliner. I was given 30 with 3 refills. I guess if I get BFP I'll be on it for a while. Anyone know on that? Also, how much does Progesterone cost? I wasn't charged but I think it's because I have money on my insurance account. GoodRx says about $80 (maybe without insurance?) but I had read personal accounts of much less as well. Anyone experience side effects? Thanks for any info!

I had to take them vaginally too. I got 30 for about $85. I actually used a pad because I was so uncomfortable. I was told to push it up as far as possible. I was also to test on 14 dpo to know when to stop if it was a bfn. Lastly, I slept like shit while on them both cycles. Good luck!

[gobucksoh]

I just started taking Prometrium (vaginally) this morning and I am instructed to take it morning and night. I have a whole bunch of those pills so I imagine I will be on it for a while. Since I just started, I won't be much help with the side effects advice other than to tell you YES you will need panty liners. I am also taking PIO but just started that on Wed night so I haven't had enough time to notice any major side effects there either. Best of luck to you.

[MellyKnu]

Like others have said, stick it in as far as you can comfortably. Use panty liners. I was told not to worry too much about laying down afterwards, because your body will absorb the drug as it's melting, so it's not like it's going to waste. It's pretty much just the waxy base that is showing up on your liner. Side effects for me are moodiness, and breast tenderness. Some days, usually when I'm stressed out, it's hard to insert and hurts when I force it. I finally figured out that I have to consciously relax the vaginal muscles and it'll work a lot better. Who would have thought those muscles get tense with stress like all the rest? Ha!

[mrsrodgersaz]

I think I paid around $80 for about 20 pills with no insurance coverage. Worst side effects for me were sore boobs and tiredness. My pharmacy would give me a little plastic injector to insert them with, but I found it to be easier to just use my finger and push it up as far as I could. Make sure it is up far enough though - one time I must not have pushed it in enough and it came back out a few minutes later and had already started to dissolve. It was pretty gross and messy.

[SunnyinCA]

As others have mentioned... Panty liners are a must. Totally freaked me out the first time when I didn't do my research and know what I was getting involved it. Chalky white mess that hardens after time. Super gross but totally washes out. Used them for a while during my first IVF round. I'll be using them again soon for the FET round. I planned ahead and bought plenty of liners. I pay $40 for Endometrin with insurance. Retail price on the box says $500.

Since my lining isn't growing, I now get the joy of sticking my E2 pills up me too. Now I'm a little blue smurf for the next 5 days.

[lg2793]

Jan 23, 2015 12:39:51 GMT -5 ashbosity said:

I start my first cycle with Progesterone tonight. I have 200mg capsules to take vaginally before bed. Am I just supposed to shove it up there as far as I can? I have read enough to know I will probably need a pantyliner. I was given 30 with 3 refills. I guess if I get BFP I'll be on it for a while. Anyone know on that? Also, how much does Progesterone cost? I wasn't charged but I think it's because I have money on my insurance account. GoodRx says about $80 (maybe without insurance?) but I had read personal accounts of much less as well. Anyone experience side effects? Thanks for any info!

I just use my middle or index finger. I typically do 4:30 am and pm. That way, I can lay down for 30-60 min and let it absorb without it all running out. Thin panty liners are a must. No s/e for me, but I've been on meds for a while, so all the side effects run together lol. My RE told me I would take for 10 weeks if I got a BFP. Mine were free one month, and $27 the next two months. $70 or so is what they would've been out of pocket. Good luck!

[iheartdolewhip]

I too use the suppositories. PP have covered pretty much all advice I can think of. My RE prescribes the suppositories for 10 weeks if you have a BFP.

[mrspotatohead91]

I take progesterone vaginally twice a day the day after ovulation until I test. Last cycle I also took Estrace vaginally twice a day and had a lonely blue and white discharge. I was emotional, exhausted and my boobs felt super heavy and huge. I'm already quite busty! I can't remember but think I pay $15 for the progesterone.

[maddychan]

Ugh for me these are the worst! I am on 2 at night, plus Endometrin in am and pm. At least Endinetrin comes with an applicator. The Prometrium needs one too. There will be discharge so a Liner is a must or a super thin pad because they are wider and longer. i was told if beta is positive I would continue the Prometrium until 10 weeks into pregnancy :/ Other than sore boobs I have felt normal.

[snd1231]

I am an emotional mess when I am on Progesterone. But PP covered everything. GL

[booklover811]

I did the suppositories last month. They weren't as messy as I thought they were going to be. I was super emotional and had some very wacked dreams. Other than that, nothing bad at all. Mine was only $10 for 30 pills, but mine was generic progesterone. So not sure what it would have been for a name brand. GL!

[fightersince83]

Jan 23, 2015 13:40:21 GMT -5 @buttmonkey said:

I've only taken the suppository on my embryo transfer days, but yes, just kinda get it up in there as best as you can. I have done Crinone gel (and about to start again) which is a mess, and about to start PIO injections. Progesterone has always messed with me. It basically gives you pregnancy symptoms (sore boobs, crying hot mess etc...) without being pregnant. It's a lovely time. But like @dyork said, I'm also on estrogen simultaneously myself, so who knows haha. GL!

Yes to the fake pg symptoms! It's a total mind fuck so be prepared. Also, if you get a BFP, you would stay on the supplement until about week 11 or 12 depending on your Dr. Progesterone in all its forms is a necessary evil as far as I'm concerned.
Eta:spelling

[ashbosity]

I am using an oral capsule and putting it in my hooha so it has really not been messy at all, just a little of the gel cap coating in the morning. I would way rather have this than actual suppositories. The first night I laid down for about 20 minutes and then had to pee and was so scared it'd fall right back out! I am really not looking forward to sore boobs. This is really the only pregnancy symptom I had when I was and it was terrible! I will give MH a warning talk about being crazy/emotional though. Thank you all soooooo much for the info and advice! I really appreciate having a place where there are people who know what I'm going through. I have no trouble talking about my IF, but few people I know can really relate.