Prometrium contains progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone in a woman’s ovaries, the adrenal gland and in the placenta during pregnancy, and is stored in the fatty tissue. The progesterone in Prometrium is involved in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy. For women try to conceive, undergoing ovulation induction, or the IVF process, Prometrium is used to regulate periods or for those who have stopped menstruating altogether.
How Prometrium Works
During the egg retrieval process, the cells that would normally create progesterone after ovulation are removed, so Prometrium is used as a supplement to thicken the uterine lining and prepare the woman’s body to support the embryo. If the treatment is successful then the embryo will successfully implant and grow. If one is trying to conceive, progesterone is also an option for fertility. If you are taking Crincone or Prometrium, your doctor may require that you begin taking the medication when you wake up in the morning, starting the day after egg retrieval.
How to Use Prometrium
There are many different progesterone treatments a woman may be prescribed: progesterone in oil (intramuscular injection); vaginal gel, such as Crinone or Prochieve; and vaginal tablets, such Endometrin. Prometrium comes in oral tablets, which can also be prescribed to be used vaginally.
At one point, intramuscular injections were in favor of oral tablets or other forms because of the high rate of pregnancies achieved. This preference is changing, though, because more recent studies have shown that vaginal progesterone, such as Prometrium, produces a much lower rate of miscarriages. In addition to that, both forms, intramuscular and vaginal, carry the same live birth weight. Vaginal progesterone also is much less painful than the intramuscular progesterone shots.
The dose when using Prometrium is usually one 200 mg capsule three times daily. To administer, simply insert the capsule with your finger about one half the distance towards the cervix. After the embryo transfer, you may be advised to administer your mid-day dose at the usual time without inserting any extra capsules.
The common side effects attributed to progesterone include: headaches, joint pain, depression, depression, breast tenderness, hot flashes and fluid retention, among others. If these symptoms become uncomfortable or worsen, call a doctor immediately.
References
Progesterone Supplementation – IVF Guide. (2011). Retrieved from www.womenandinfants.org: http://www.womenandinfants.org/fertilityandpregnancy/ivfguide/progesterone-supplementation.cfm
Progesterone Supplementation During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Cycles . (1996-2014). Retrieved from www.asrm.org: https://www.asrm.org/FACTSHEET_Progesterone_Supplementation_During_IVF_Cycles/
Why Is Progesterone Used for Fertility Treatment? (2012, August 24). Retrieved from www.fertilityauthority.com: http://www.fertilityauthority.com/blogger/dr-laurence-jacobs/2012/8/24/why-progesterone-used-fertility-treatment
