Prometrium

[jrsygirl]

Has anyone taken Prometrium? Did it help?/ What were the side effects (if any) you experienced?
We triggered last night and are doing our insemination tomorrow. Then my RE wants me to start taking it on Monday.
Thanks!

[BTB]

I started on Prometrium 200 mg each night from 2dpo on while TTC, then once pg needed to increase to 400 mg daily and then 600 mg daily. I only noticed two effects: one, that my LP lengthened by a day or two, and second, I would get very, very dizzy for about an hour or two starting 30 min to an hour after I'd take the medication. This was never a problem when I was taking it at night, but when I was up to two and three times a day it was - it felt like I was pretty dang drunk. I couldn't walk a straight line at the height of it. It can be scary if you don't know it's not an uncommon side effect, but there are plenty of people who take prometrium and never get dizzy. This effect is limited to oral progesterone, as it is subject to first-pass metabolism in the liver, which is what produces metabolites that cause dizziness.

Because of the effects and the need to take it 3x/day, my RI gave me injectable progesterone, and I got one shot in the butt courtesy of DH daily until I was finally weaned off it at the beginning of the third trimester - that's a long time to be on it, but I had placental damage from earlier complications and it didn't take over sufficient hormone production when it was "supposed" to. I had absolutely no side effects from the injected progesterone. Good luck!

[Nigellas]

Prometrium makes me tired and crampy. HTH

[Mooshie]

And I have a question about how soon you feel side effects. I've taken it for a few months now to lengthen my luteal phase. I had an IUI last Sunday and started taking it on Tuesday night. By Thursday, I was having shooting pains in one boob and a lot of nipple sensitivity. Of course, I'm reading into everything and hoping that this is a good sign. And I can't seem to remember how soon the prometrium side effects started in the prior months that I've taken it...

Anyone?

[BTB]

I felt dizzy the very first day I took one in the morning (and was thus then awake long enough to know if I was dizzy or not).

[angelgirl8]

i took prometrium (pill used vaginally) for a few months.

symptoms: sore boobs, fatigue, bloating, headaches, lots of cramping, moodiness.

when it started: for the most part, my progesterone side effects didn't start until about 6 or 7 days after i started taking it. lovely!

[jrsygirl]

So I started it this morning after my Saturday IUI. The only thing I've noticed so far is a slightly metallic taste in my mouth.
The thing that freaked me out of course was that my pharmacist put a sticker on the bottle that read: Do not take if you are pregannt or plan to become pregnant!

:confused:

[Scooter]

I take a different form of progesterone, not the Prometruim brand. I have had all the same symptoms that angelgirl8 posted, and crampiness.

Since progesterone takes a few days to build up in your system, it usually took about 3 or 4 days before I noticed any diffences, and after 6 or 7 the symptoms were full blown. When you start noticing it is going to depend on if you're taking it orally or vaginally, I think.

[JennH]

I'm confused! I take Prometrium to start my period. My OB makes me take a pregnancy test every time I'm late before going on it to ensure I am not pregnant.

[KaliLily]

I'm confused! I take Prometrium to start my period. My OB makes me take a pregnancy test every time I'm late before going on it to ensure I am not pregnant.

Jenn - I take Prometrium to induce periods, too. It is also used to as a progesterone supplement in the early stages of pregnancy, if a blood serum test indicates levels are low.

[JennH]

Jenn - I take Prometrium to induce periods, too. It is also used to as a progesterone supplement in the early stages of pregnancy, if a blood serum test indicates levels are low.

They made it seem like such a serious medication, I never would have thought someone would take it in the early stages of pregnancy. Thanks for the info!

[KaliLily]

I'm not sure how it affects the fetus if your progesterone levels are normal, however, I believe the concern is with the sudden drop in your progesterone level (which triggers AF) if you are PG.

If I recall my research correctly, after the 1st trimester the placenta takes over progestore production. Before then if your progesterone levels are low there is risk of miscarriage. Thus, the need for the supplement.

[Jenn]

I am 7 weeks pregnant and just started on Prometrium a few days ago for spotting and a low progesterone level (10). I have a few questions about it...

1. If a miscarriage was going to happen because of chromosomal problems/birth defects or other non-progesterone issues, would taking prometrium delay the miscarriage or increase the odds of having a baby born with chromosomal problems/birth defects?

2. I take 100 mg orally. From the little bit of research that I've done that seems like a lower dose than many people get?

3. Did you have to wean off of it or just stop taking it at the 2nd trimester point?

TIA!!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Jenn,

I was on prometrium orally with DS. I started taking it at 6 weeks and took it until 13 weeks. I was on a 200mg dose I believe. My level was 17 and the OB wanted it to be 20, so I was put on it. I had no spotting before, during or after using the prometrium.

It's use to build up the uterine lining to hold the baby better, thus hopefully reducing the chance of miscarriage (this is according to my OB I had with DS)

[PookiePrincess]

I'm not sure about your first question, my progesterone level was just a little on the low side, so my doctor prescribed the progesterone to increase the levels a bit. I don't think she was actually worried about me miscarrying, but just wanted to put me on the supplements to make sure my levels were okay.

I also took 100 mg (though I took them vaginally) and just figured I didn't take a higher dose because my levels weren't that low.

I didn't wean off, I just stopped taking them at 12 weeks. I had gone back to the doctor and she said everything was looking good so she told me I only had to take them a few days longer and then I could stop.

[mia's mama]

bump!

[adamseve]

I'm currently taking Prometrium as a suppository in my early weeks of pregnancy.

mia's mama - did you have a Q?

[mel7802]

I think I'm the odd one out, but I had no unusual side effects on Prometrium...nothing different than my usual anyway. I was put on it for spotting though, which it didn't do anything for, so I almost wonder if my body didn't absorb it well?