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Megan M: here's some info about progestrone. It's not what I read last night, but solid. It turns out that the page I was reading last night is now under construction for some reason.....I'm sure it will come back....
Progesterone Supplementation
Progesterone Supplementation (suppositories, shots or pills)
Progesterone, a hormone that is naturally produced by your ovaries, helps to prepare and thicken the lining of your uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone is necessary to support and maintain a pregnancy should conception occur. The ovaries continue to produce progesterone until the placenta has developed and is able to support the pregnancy.
In some women the ovaries do not make enough progesterone or the lining of the uterus does not respond well to normal amounts of progesterone. If this happens the lining of the uterus is not able to thicken or prepare for implantation of the fertilized egg. This may result in the failure of the fertilized egg to implant and pregnancy does not occur. There are many reasons why the ovaries might not produce enough progesterone. The different causes may be ovulation problems, endometriosis, fertility drugs, or "older eggs".
Progesterone supplementation is a medication that is taken after ovulation and it corrects the low progesterone hormone imbalance. The lining of the uterus responds to the progesterone medication, it thickens and prepares for the implantation and support of a pregnancy. A woman will continue to use progesterone until the placenta has developed and is able to support the pregnancy. (10-12 weeks after conception).
Progesterone supplementation can be given in the form of vaginal suppositories, injections (shots) or by mouth. The progesterone is usually started four days after you have had the shot that causes ovulation to occur (hCG or Profasi). You will continue the progesterone until you have had a negative pregnancy test or a normal menstrual period. If you conceive and are pregnant you will continue the medication for several weeks; the doctor will tell you when it is time to stop. Progesterone supplementation has few side effects. These may include breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, or a 2-3 day delay in the start of your period.
The medication may be packaged with a patient information insert. The purpose of this insert is to provide information about progesterone to all patients taking it. The information in the insert pertains to all progesterone medication, both natural and synthetic. There is an increased risk of birth defects to babies exposed during pregnancy to synthetic progesterone. However, the progesterone supplementation prescribed by the physician is in a natural form and this does not increase the risks of birth defects. Please talk with your physician if you have any concerns. Not all pharmacies carry or make these medications. Your physician can tell you which pharmacies may have the drug.
Progesterone Suppositories are inserted into your vagina and are then absorbed by the body. You may notice some leakage of the medicine from your vagina when you are up and moving around. Do not worry about this because the medication is still being absorbed. You may want to wear a panty liner to protect your clothing. There are no activity restrictions while using the suppositories, including sex. It probably would be more comfortable to wait until after intercourse before inserting the suppository. Occasionally the leakage of the medicine can be irritating to the skin around your vagina; contact your physician if the vaginal irritation becomes too bothersome.
Progesterone Oral Medication comes in several different forms that are taken by mouth. Some are swallowed with water, but others (troches) are placed under your tongue until it dissolves. Ask the pharmacist to explain the correct way to use this form of progesterone.
Progesterone Injections are "shots" that are injected into your muscle (usually the buttocks or thigh) and the progesterone is absorbed by your body. You may notice soreness or tenderness at the injection site while you are taking the progesterone shots. After an injection you may apply a warm compress to the area for relief. Please contact your physician if the injections become too painful.
To make it more convenient for you, your physician can teach you, your husband, or a friend how to give these injections. The following instructions are to help guide you through the process of injections.
The following information is for descriptive purposes only and should not be used as a substitute or replacement for professional/medical instruction.
It will be helpful to lay out all of your supplies before you prepare the medication.
Progesterone-in-oil comes in a vial that contains several doses of medication. Note that the strength or dose of Progesterone 50 mg. is equal to 1 cc of this medication. (1 cc is the same as 1 ml).
A disposable 3 cc syringe
Two disposable needles - 1 1\2 inch, 22 gauge.
Alcohol pads
A plastic container to discard the used needles and syringe.
To prepare the medication follow these steps:
Wash your hands and clean your work area with an alcohol pad.
Remove the plastic cap from the vial of Progesterone and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol pad.
If it has not been done already, attach a needle to the syringe. Carefully twist the cover off the needle by wiggling it back and forth until it is free. Slowly remove the cover. Be careful not to touch the needle.
Draw air into the syringe by pulling the plunger to the 1 cc mark. Insert the needle through the vial's rubber stopper and inject the air into the vial. Without withdrawing the needle, then turn the vial of medicine upside down and withdrawal the progesterone into the syringe.
Please be careful to withdrawal the correct dose into the syringe.
Progesterone 50 mg = 1 cc or 1 ml.
What is the dose of Progesterone?
What amount of Progesterone do I draw up into the syringe?
50 mg 1 cc
100 mg 2 cc
150 mg 3 cc
Remove the needle from the vial and change needles before injecting the progesterone. You are now ready to administer the medication.
The middle-outer thighs and the upper outer buttock are the best areas to give a progesterone injection. The injection sites need a chance to rest between shots. It will help to rotate or alternate the injection sites.
Administering medication: You may choose either the buttocks or thighs as injection sites. If you choose to give yourself a shot in the thigh, be certain the leg is relaxed and in a resting position. For injections into the buttocks - it is necessary to have a second person administer the medication with you laying face down or leaning against a surface with your toes pointing inward. (This helps to relax the muscles).
Carefully clean the injection site with an alcohol pad, then let the area dry.
To inject the needle, firmly spread the skin surrounding the injection site. Position the needle at a right angle to the skin, and quickly insert the needle straight through the skin and deep into the muscle. Release the skin.
Gently pull back the plunger 0.1 - 0.2 cc to check for blood. If no blood appears in the syringe, it is safe to inject the medication. Push in the plunger with a slow, steady motion until the syringe is empty. Gently withdraw the needle and cover the injection site with the alcohol pad applying a small amount of pressure. The used needle and syringe can be discarded in the plastic container.
Some Suggestions:
When you pull back on the plunger in Step 3 to check for blood and blood does appear in the syringe, this means the needle has entered a vein. Do not be concerned. Withdraw the needle/syringe completely and discard them in the plastic container. Start over again.
Needles should be discarded immediately if someone is accidentally punctured or injected, or if it touches unclean surfaces.
Never re-use needles or syringes. Use it for one injection only and then discard them. Your physician will provide these supplies to you at your request.
Discard the used needles and syringes in a plastic container. The purpose of the container is to protect you and others from being accidentally punctured.
Date last updated: January 6, 2003
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