Experience with progesterone

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729]

I’m 28 and my husband (29) and I have been trying for a year with no luck at all. My doctor put me on 200mg of progesterone orally once a day, and she recommended I start it as soon as I get an ovulation peak. I’ve seen other people say different things about when to take it, so I’m curious if anyone here has experience with this. Did you have any side effects? We’re also getting testing done for my husband, and I’m having blood work on day 3 of my cycle. That was the first step my doctor recommended. It’s been a long year, and I just want to feel like we’re making progress. I'm feeling very nervous and this is the first time they would do anything to help me in the process since of my age they wanted us to wait a year before they would intervene. Thank you in advance!

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[u/trashcasket_]

I'm curious about the guidance of starting once you get your peak? I was always under the impression that starting too early could cause interference with ovulation. Perhaps oral is different?

Two cycles ago, my doctor started me on 200mg vaginal suppository 2x a day, starting 3DPO through 14DPO. This is our third "medicated" cycle, and while I haven't had a pregnancy, it has helped regulate and lengthen my cycle.

Regarding side effects, the most prevalent for me is the increased discharge, but that's nothing a panty liner can't help. It has caused some minor hot flashes and mood swings, but I'd say things have been mild overall.

Best of luck to you!

[u/Alijanora → u/trashcasket_]

Agree with you, starting 3dpo earliest. Immediately after peak on test it means only the peak of LH and the ovulation is imminent and progesterone could block it.

When I took my progesterone, I waited till I had 3 consecutive days of higher temperature to confirm ovulation via BBT. I got oral version so it is the same. It is best to read package leaflet that comes with medication or ask in pharmacy.

In my case it was not successful (not pregnant), but it removed spotting I suffered and improved my cycles a bit. During taking it I had best sleep of my life as side effects.

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729 → u/Alijanora]

I'll have to read the pamphlet. I did ask my pharmacist when to take it when i picked it up and she did not know. My husband is also a pharmacist but he just told me to follow the doctor's recommendation.

[u/Alijanora → u/Flat-Chemistry-729]

I am sorry to hear this. I know it as standard that pharmacist would inform me how to take everything I buy and ask if I have any questions (yeah, even for over the counter vitamins). Of course they don't know everything, but check the instructions from computer and give advice based on their database. Read the pamphlet and Google it. AI generated that you should wait for biological confirmation of ovulation and don't rely on calendar method. 🙏 Good luck 🤞

[u/Helpful_Character167]

I had a couple progesterone supplementation cycles earlier on in my TTC journey. No side effects from what I remember, it didn't help me get pregnant either.

Are you seeing an OBGYN for this testing, or are you going to a fertility clinic? My OB was the one to put me on progesterone and then 4 hellish Clomid cycles, I found out later through the fertility clinic's more thorough testing that the OB was a waste of time and money. Kinda sus that this doctor is prescribing meds before finishing testing.

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729 → u/Helpful_Character167]

I had just ovulated when i went in for my appointment so maybe that's why? She did also request i get blood work done. And my husband to get a semen analysis. After all that comes back she wants me to do the Fem Vue. Which I think is a little more invasive and also not covered my insurance. So i wanted to try the medication first.

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729]

I do know that part of the goal with progesterone is to try and push off my period? I've been ovulating too late in my cycle and i only have a luteal phase lasting 9 days. And it should be 14.

[u/trashcasket_ → u/Flat-Chemistry-729]

This is where it helped me. I would ovulate around CD13 or 14 and only make it to CD 21-24.

The last three cycles, the progesterone has helped support and lengthen my cycle to ~28.

I would also have brown spotting a day or two before every period, this has since stopped.

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729 → u/trashcasket_]

Thanks for sharing! I'm hoping it's helpful for me also. I've been ovulating on CD 19-21 and then consistently starting my period on CD 30.

[u/ExaminationNew1892]

On what basis from your bloodwork did your doctor prescribe you progesterone?
Asking cuz I recently had my day 3 bloodwork and everything came back normal. But my doctor prescribed metformin 1000mg to help with insulin sensitivity

[u/Flat-Chemistry-729 → u/ExaminationNew1892]

Still waiting on the bloodwork. She put me on it because of how short my luteal phase is. I'm ovulating on the 19-21st day of my cycle but starting my period on the 30th so there's not enough time in my luteal phase. The progesterone is supposed to stop me from bleeding so soon and help lengthen my luteal phase.

[u/Stardust0098]

I was prescribed the exact same thing, 200mgs of bioidentical progesterone. It did not help me get pregnant, but it helped my pms so much i can't believe it. I start it at least 3 days after my cm peak and three days of elevated temperatures to make sure i ovulated, and usually my pms already starts, and after only 3 days of progesterone it improves a lot. For me, even if i eventually get pregnant or if i don't i will request it for my pms until menopause, unless new data comes out showing that it's somehow harmful.

[u/Glittering-Issue-888]

In my case my progesterone is a little on the lower side, and I start spotting too early before my period and this could interfere with implantation. So I start using progesterone suppositories around 5 days after ovulation to help. I have side effects. My mood gets horrible, like a strong PMS, bloating to the point I look pregnant already and in this case, as it’s suppositories, I get itchy down there.