Progesterone

I was very reluctant to stop taking my Progesterone In Oil (or PIO) shots and move on to the Crinone 8% vaginal progesterone gel. When I begged my doctor to let me stay on the shots (crazy I know) he told me that I would love the gel - that it would be so much easier, a lot less painful, and would work just the same. Crinone 8% is most commonly used by women undergoing fertility treatments to provide progesterone to change the lining of the uterus to aid in implantation and then to sustain a pregnancy. I did not begin to take Crinone until after I was done with the PIO shots and continued to take it through 12… [more]

If I had to name one thing about the whole IVF process that I was most nervous about, most fearful of, and most reluctant to do it would hands down be the shots, specifically the Progesterone in Oil shots. I have never been a shot person. I am ashamed to admit that I never used to give blood because of my fear of needles and avoided the flu shot and any other needles at all costs. So, in preparation for taking the evil shots I tried to find every tip or hint I could to help make it bearable. You can find a lot of strange and odd things that people tell you will help make taking the shots less painful… [more]

In my post Progesterone, I talked about my own experience with taking the hormone progesterone. Fertility specialists often prescribe progesterone supplements a few days after possible conception until either early in the pregnancy or a negative pregnancy test result. The progesterone supports the embryo until the umbilical cord is formed.

While I was sharing my story, I did not get into the different types of progesterone supplements that are available. During the course of my fertility treatments, my doctors prescribed progesterone to me in three different forms. I also include a fourth type, which I did not use.

Oral Tablets

My first experience with taking progesterone was as oral tablets. I had a hard time taking progesterone this way. The drug… [more]

Dr. M prescribed progesterone tablets, which he instructed me to start taking several days after the intrauterine insemination (IUI). Dr. M explained that the baby would receive nourishment from my body's progesterone until it attached to my uterus and formed an umbilical cord. If my progesterone levels were too low, then I might miscarry. That was all I needed to hear to take the pills.

I had a hard time taking the progesterone pills. They caused me to feel extremely depressed, which was the last thing I needed at this time in my life. By now, I had been trying to conceive for over a year, and I was ready to get this show on the road.

I… [more]