Post by anonymouseliza on Mar 25, 2015 6:39:36 GMT -5
I am of limited help, as I only took when pregnant after seeing low progesterone via tests. I took 100 mg vaginally from 5 to 12 weeks. What I can tell you is that the major difference between oral and vaginal is considered efficacy. Oral has to go through more processing, as it were, while vaginal is in the spot, right to the source. Additionally, blood serum levels should raise with oral, but frequently don't with vaginal. That doesn't matter, but worth noting. My ob wouldn't retest my levels because it wouldn't have shown difference, but was clearly working. That said, vaginal was messy. Goopy. I imagine both would cause the same side effects, but oral may be higher because it is processed differently. Side effects include fatigue, nausea, tender breasts ... tww symptoms. I would do it though, because it won't really hurt anything and could help.
Here are two links I have saved, hopefully they will help. There is some dosing recommendations based on the type/route and reason for taking it in the first link.
I believe used vaginally has been associated with better implantation and miscarriage rates. Which is why it is usually prescribed as a vaginal suppository (either actual suppositories or oral pills given as suppositories.) From my understanding the dosage and frequency is different depending on the type (pills, suppositories, injection) of progesterone and the route (oral, vaginally, intramuscular) in which you are taking it. Are you able to e-mail your RE with what you have available to you and get his recommendation?
Post by madamewaffles on Mar 25, 2015 6:53:10 GMT -5
Hai LLP!! I was on supps for my medicated cycles. I started off with 50 mg 2x a day but when my P4 levels at 7dpo came back "low-ish," they upped them to 100 mg 2x a day. My RE explained oral progesterone is not nearly effective as vaginally, because the way your body needs to break down a pill disintegrates the effectiveness of it. Suppositories are messy, but other than that, NBD.
LLP, I totally understand. I don't know how I would be able to handle going through IF overseas. Your doing better then I would.
I believe many doctors prescribe the oral progesterone to be used as suppositories, which effects the dosage you would used.
The first link has a recommendation of 25mg twice a day for suppository and 100-200mg of the oral pill given vaginally three times a day. I understand not wanting to waste a cycle. I don't have personal experience with progesterone, hopefully you will get more recommendations.
Post by goldenlove3 on Mar 25, 2015 7:33:32 GMT -5
I was prescribed 200 mg Prometrium (vaginal) last cycle. I might be completely wrong saying this but I think progesterone is one of those things that won't really do any harm if you do use a higher dosage (at least until you hear from your RE).
My RE prescribed me 200 mg of prometrium to take vaginally once a day starting at 3 DPO. She explained that it's more effective to take vaginally than orally. Honestly, for me the discharge wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I would put them in before bed and just wear a liner. The discharge would stop by late morning. The only side effect I really had was sore boobs, but that wasn't too bad either. Hope it helps with your LP!
Post by raelynn71109 on Mar 25, 2015 8:14:54 GMT -5
My RE prescribed 200mg of prometrium (100mg twice daily) starting at 5 days past trigger (approx 3dpo). It's a precautionary thing due to my loss history.
From what I've read the side effects of the progesterone are a lot stronger if you take it orally vs vaginally. I've heard that taking it orally can make you really drowsy.
Last question: How far up do you put the pill? The instructions just say "deep in the vagina" so I'm assuming up near the cervix. Does that seem right based on your experience?
As far as you can get it. Which isn't far with my stubby little fingers.
My RE prescribed me 200 mg of prometrium to take vaginally once a day starting at 3 DPO. She explained that it's more effective to take vaginally than orally. Honestly, for me the discharge wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I would put them in before bed and just wear a liner. The discharge would stop by late morning. The only side effect I really had was sore boobs, but that wasn't too bad either. Hope it helps with your LP!
Oh yes, put in at bedtime. If it makes you drowsy, you won't notice so much and the worst of the goop is contained.
Post by divinemsbee on Mar 25, 2015 12:36:14 GMT -5
I was only on it after BFP, but I agree with others, before bedtime is best. Also, pantyliners-- use them. If I put mine in right before bed (mine came with a applicator that helped get them further in, I also kind of squatted while doing it), I'd normally get a big-ish gush of discharge around noon the next day. Which would, if I wasn't wearing a pantyliner, actually bleed through my clothes (and leave a white mark on my black pants, fun times).
My doc said what everyone else did, which is that vaginally it won't raise your blood measurements of progesterone as much, but it gets it where it needs to go faster, so it's better. I did 100mg twice a day (so 200 total) and just put both in at night right before bed.
@littleliverpill, sorry I'm late to this but it looks like you got a lot of great help and I'm so happy the RE responded so quickly to you. FWIW, I was on both oral and vaginal progesterone and did not see a difference in progesterone levels between route at my follow up (both were excellent), or any symptoms present in one over the other. But like everyone said, the vaginal is messy and actually preferred the oral, since it seemed to work just as well for me. Good luck!
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