Hi there! I did a round of IVF on NHS and I got my BFP last week. Since egg collection I have been taking 2 Cyclogest pressaries per day (800mg/day). I asked them to give me a new prescription because I will run out of pressaries soon but they said after the BFP I can stop. That’s so strange! Don’t you all take it for 12 weeks? I’m worried about going from 800mg to nothing! I was thinking to take 800mg for few more days then drop to 400mg so I don’t stop drastically or to take 400mg per day and they will last longer. Nobody will give me a prescription. What do you think?
UPDATE: My GP had absolutely no problem in prescribing Cyclogest!
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FrancyItaly
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Hi Francy. I think a lot of clinics say to take it to 8-12 weeks as that's when the placenta takes over. I wanted to be on the safe end of that so I think (if I remember correctly) I took it until 12 weeks, but was decreasing the amount over the last week or two of that. Better to take rather than not? I begged my clinic for a prescription, but I was being a massive stresshead about everything last year! (Understandably, surely! Everything feels really important in absolutely every stage of this journey!)
I just don’t know what to do, how can I get a prescription if not from them 😣 it’s also written in the protocol in capital letters that there is no need to continue after a positive test…
Have you tried your GP - explaining your situation. I think the NHS has even got guidance saying that progesterone is beneficial in early pregnancy. Although I am looking for it and I can't find it right now!
I’m reading in other forums that some clinics say there is no evidence that it actually helps so they give it for 2 weeks after EC. I will try booking an appointment with the gp and maybe I can find somebody who has spares for me!
Forget the NHS, they have their stupid policies…go see a private gynaecologist for a scan and ask for a prescription…they’ll do it for you. I wouldn’t want to stop either so soon xx
If it's a fresh cycle then the thought is you shouldnt need more pessaries. Between the trigger which forces ovulation, the pessaries to supplement on top then your BFP (hCG makes progesterone also rise). That's my understanding of it anyway. If you call your clinic I'm sure they'll explain the reasoning.xx
Thank you for the reassurance. Yes it was a fresh cycle, I’m on NHS and I spoke to them already, all they said is there is no need, there is no evidence that it would make any difference but I would feel much better if I carried on for at least until I see that heartbeat! I’ll try my GP tomorrow xx
There is a Tommy’s study, the Prism study, that suggests progesterone can help throughout the first trimester in cases of previous loss or early bleeding. Not sure if you’ve experienced that before, but for peace of mind you could just ask privately if you could extend your prescription to take you through to week 8-12? Progesterone won’t cause any harm if you do continue to take it, from what I understand.
I had a fresh cycle, and I’ll remain on cyclogest and POI shots until week 12. Xx
I had a previous loss, it was a mmc. I don’t think it was because of a lack of progesterone, usually I produce a good level but I would like to carry on for peace of mind! I will beg the gp otherwise call the hospital again! x
Sorry for your previous loss. I strongly believe we need to be our own advocates sometimes so do what is right for your own peace of mind. Best of luck xx
Hey, I had this exact situation too. We got our BFP last week after a fresh cycle. The clinic advised that we did not need to carry on with progesterone after the outcome. I felt nervous about it and so said to the clinic that I’d rather carry on with them if possible. Without any sort of fight they said that they would give me a prescription to take me through to viability scan then reassess at that point.
Apparently you can ask your GP for a prescription but I am not sure how likely it is that they would grant it. Probably best to speak to the clinic again.
If that’s what they do with all their fresh transfer ladies then I’m sure it’s fine. But equally if you want to carry on that should be your choice in my opinion xxx
Congratulations on your BFP! Was that with the Nhs too? I think a private clinic would not make a fuss but you know how it is.. I am obviously willing to pay gold for it!
Like other ladies here I'm taking them until week 12 after a fresh transfer. I'm even taking lubion (progesterone injections) on top of the 800mg pessaries. Cyclogest is so cheap. Buy it privately through a genealogist if the nhs keeps saying no. I'd really insist first though. Good luck!
Ho notato il tuo nome solo ora.. Ma congratulazioni! Sono contenta per te. Guarda, se le altre alternative non vanno, fatteli mandare dall'Italia se puoi.. un mio caro amico me li ha trovati facilmente in farmacia senza ricetta e 5 giorni dopo sono arrivati a londra. Progesterone generico di 200mg. Ne metti 2 alla volta.. mi sembra €5 per una trentina ma forse ricordo male anche perché il mio amico non ha mai accettato i soldi. Guarda, fammelo dire palesemente: lascia stare quello che dice l'NHS e continua a prenderlo. Un abbraccio grande.
Ciao! Vedo un po quello che posso fare altrimenti faro’ cosi, ne ho per un paio di settimane! Strano che lo hanno dato senza ricetta, e che ha detto?! 😅 non si scoglie con i 46gradi che ci sono li?
Ha detto che stava per fare FIV all'estero con la moglie e il progesterone costava il triplo... il farmacista si è dispiaciuto.. sai come siamo noi.. 😅 lui in sardegna, ad un altra amica a roma hanno detto di no in un paio di posti. Ci vuole un pizzico di culo e determinazione ma secondo me 1 su 5 te la da. Mobilizza amici e parenti ora se ne hai per 2 settimane! Ciascuno una scatola 😆😆
Hahahah 🤣 gia mamma mi ha mandato tonnellate di acido folico che in 2 anni non e’ ancora finito! Grazie per il consiglio, le proverò tutte! Ho letto ora della tua gravidanza, congratulazioni!!! 🥰
I’m private and my clinic is 2 weeks only. A friend of mine had the same 2 weeks and when she switched clinic to try for a 2nd baby they have 12 weeks. When I asked my clinic about it she said something on the lines that there is no need for anymore with an explanation xx
That’s interesting, so this isn’t about the NHS. Are you not taking it then? I would really like to continue for peace of mind, at least until a viability scan! My husband says “they took us to this point, let’s trust them!”
She said if I wanted to continue I could but she said it wouldn’t make a difference. As I recall she said that there’s no reason to take them for longer if you haven’t had any miscarriage etc.! Last round ended in a chemical so we didn’t get to 2 weeks after and this round im in the middle of stunning, I’ve been prescribed 2 weeks worth again and I’m happy with that. I trust her and the process x
I trust them too since they got me to have my BFP finally but if I can take them even better! I’ll try otherwise I will not stress too much about it. Thank you for sharing ☺️ Xx
If I was feeling anxious I would certainly get a private prescription for piece of mind, we go through so much and if a few extra boxes of pessaries will take that anxiety away then why not x
Hello,As another person here already said, I would book a private doctor to discuss and get a prescription. Not worth the anxiety in my opinion! Just make sure it’s a gynecologist specializing or with a particular interest in fertility. All the best!
Congratulations on your bfp! I was given it until 12 weeks (NHS clinic) but for a frozen transfer which I understand makes a difference.
I’d tell your clinic or GP that not having it is causing you real anxiety, and perhaps offer to pay for a private prescription if that helps. Cyclogest is really cheap (like a few quid a box cheap) so it’s so annoying they won’t give it to you.
Ultimately though, try to find reassurance in that being their blanket policy - it will mean they’ve never had a problem with that method before xx
Thank you! ☺️ I know, I just don’t want to take a chance on this! Absolutely happy to pay for it, hopefully the Gp will prescribe them or I’ll call them back! I remember you, how is your little one doing? Xx
I’m so pleased for you! It’s actually a major result lol you are very lucky to have such understanding GP! Btw I stopped them at 12 weeks cold turkey and all went well, some piece of mind for when you’ll get there 😉xxx
Congratulations on your BFP!! I also stressed about this, but decided after my BFP to trust the clinic and my body to do what it should. It was all fine and so far pregnancy is going great- I had my 12 week scan today and everything looks perfect. Xx
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