When did you stop progesterone?

[Lola33]

Evening All,

Would you be happy to share at what point you stopped progesterone and whether you stopped suddenly, or gradually reduced the dose? I think around 12 weeks seems to be standard, but I know some people are on for 16 weeks and some even longer. 

I’m in a sort of strange predicament as my pregnancy was a surprise natural conception after a couple of failed ivf transfers. Just before getting my positive, I had started seeing a private reproductive endocrinologist who was about to prescribe progesterone to take a few days after ovulation to see if it helped with conceiving. (Suspected luteal phase defect). However, before we got round to trying this, I got my positive test, so instead she prescribed the progesterone from the positive pregnancy test. I had enough left over from my ivf to begin with, and my ivf clinic also said it was fine to take it. The private re has been prescribing it since.

Anyway, I’m now just over 16 weeks and still on it. The private RE has suggested I stay on it until at least 24 weeks, after she consulted with a fertility specialist (Dr Stuart Lavery) who from a quick Google search does seem to be quite renowned in the fertility world. You’d think I should just follow their advice without question, but unfortunately, I don’t fully trust the competence of the RE, or understand the rational of staying on progesterone for so long. She hasn’t done any further tests to check my progesterone levels, and despite paying £200 for every (very short) consultation, she doesn’t make any effort to read my notes and I have to remind her of who I am and why we are speaking in each call. It is a disgraceful really, but I was just so grateful for the progesterone prescription in the early stages (I know some people really struggle to get hold of it if not ivf) that I didn’t feel I had a choice but to keep seeing her.

Also, I don’t think my pregnancy history necessarily warrants staying on it for so long, I have had one missed miscarriage at about 6-7 weeks a couple of years ago from natural conception, one failed ivf fresh transfer and one chemical pregnancy after a frozen transfer. No other pregnancies.

I have asked to see an obstetrician through NHS but they can’t see me until beyond 20 weeks. 

I did have a significant bleed at 13 weeks, so I think it’s the right thing for me to still be on it until 16 weeks. But now, my gut is telling me to taper off.

NICE guidelines say to stop at end of 16 weeks, and I think I read on Tommys website about being on it until  up to 16 weeks. 

I know some people say there is no harm on being on progesterone, but I also know it’s not great to be on medication that’s not required. My placenta should have well and truly taken over by now. I’ve also ready a study which suggests long term effects are unknown and criticises NICE’s recommendations of up to 16 weeks.

I’d love to hear any experiences, or thoughts from this community. Thank you in advance! ❤️

[Sw1234]

I was told to stop at 10 weeks with my first pregnancy but had enough to carry on until just before 12 weeks. With my second I stopped at 12 weeks. I went completely cold turkey with the pessaries

[Eloquentia]

Hi! I was told to stop at 12 weeks despite a heavy bleed at 5 weeks. I happened to have some extra progesterone from previous IVF rounds, so I stopped at 14 weeks. Perhaps talk to your midwife? Good luck!

[DreamingOfTwo79]

Hello Lola33, congratulations on your pregnancy, glad to hear all is going well! I did a modified natural transfer with confirmed ovulation and was on 2x Lubion injections from the day after ovulation until 10w+0 which I simply stopped as per the clinic's instructions, I have also been taking 2x 400mg Cyclogest since the day after ovulation and will be reducing this to 1 Cyclogest a day from 12w+1 until 14w+0. These are my IVF clinic's recommendations.

I would seek support via your midwife, perhaps she can help to bring your NHS consultant appt forward? Did she discuss your Papp-A levels with you, were there any concerns about how your placenta is functioning after your Dating Scan? To me personally, extra progesterone until 24w seems a little extreme, especially as no one has done any tests with you to prove this is really indicated. One of my Recurrent Miscarriage Consultants was very hesitant to even precribe me extra progesterone as he pointed out not enough research was available yet on the long term effects on male infants, whereas another consultant in the same team was very happy to prescribe progesterone, even among the medical profession this seems to divide opinion. I would definitely push for a second opinion from your NHS antenatal care team. Wishing you a smooth pregnancy! X

[Lolalules]

hi, congrats! My clinic advised staying on it until 12 weeks, but the recurrent miscarriage clinic recommended staying on it until 16 weeks. I stopped then 👍

[Bexarama83]

hi there. Congrats on your pregnancy! I stopped at 12 weeks, didn’t need to gradually do it, just stopped. Placenta takes over around 8 weeks. I’m currently 18.5wks. I’d follow the guidance you’ve been given though. Good luck! xx

[ButtercupGarden]

I seem to be the anomaly here but after one MMC and then a couple of early bleeds in this pregnancy, I was prescribed cyclogest (1 a day) right up to 34 weeks. It was described to me by the consultant in the pre term clinic as a precaution, that there is some evidence that it can help particularly in cases of early bleeding, and that there are no real downsides to doing so. I'm now 34 weeks and sooo happy to be finally off the pessaries!

It seems like there is no hard and fast rules on this but I was very nervous with the early bleeds and so was willing to keep on the progesterone.

Good luck with your pregnancy, hope it all goes smoothly! Xx

[Hidden]

Weaned from 12 weeks; totally stopped by 14 weeks.....

[LuxFleur]

You should follow the advice of your doctor. It doesn't do any harm to be on progesterone. Better to be safe then put your pregnancy in danger!

[McQueeny]

I was told I can stop at 10 weeks, but to continue till 12 weeks if I want to…. So that’s what I’m doing. In my last pregnancy I stopped at 10 weeks (I think - definitely not more than 12; also IVF) and all was well x

[Kennyjen]

I started on progesterone injections and suppositories. At 10 weeks I stopped the injections, but carried on with two suppositories per day. At 12 weeks went down to one suppository and at 14 weeks stopped progesterone completely.

I think this is standard protocol at the hospital I’m with and Lavery is a consultant/doctor there.

I’m 15 + 5 and been lucky enough (fingers crossed it continues!) to not have any bleeding.

[PenguinBlue]

hi, similar to you I had a natural conception following a failed ivf cycle. As I was still under my fertility clinic, I had some leftover cyclogest which they advised I take until it finished. It took me up to around 10 weeks and was completely fine after.

For reassurance I had private scans at 7,9 and 11 weeks which helped me know baby was growing well before and after I stopped taking it. If you’re concerned please get a second opinion from your midwife / consultant. X

[Seyedeh]

I start weaning of from week 12 and finished by 14 weeks

[Simmokt]

14 weeks, but phased down from 12 weeks to then stop completely at 14. That was following a FET.