Told to stop progesterone after OTD

[YellowB33]

My partner had BFP today 14dp5dt. It was a fresh embryo using ICSI. She has been told to stop taking progesterone. Has anyone else experienced this or should she be given more? Shes very worried seeing lots of people been told to take them up to 8 weeks or more. Thanks

[Kittykat198]

I think diff clinics have diff advice. I was told to continue but had low progesterone on my positive from frozen round to 12 weeks. I think some stop at 12 weeks and some at test, some at 10 weeks. Evidence is a bit conflicting on the benefits of continuing esp when it’s a fresh transfer. I know Good evidence of continuing if you have history of recurrent miscarriage or bleeding. Worth a chat with your clinic again or gp to see if they will prescribe? Best of luck

[Stevie85]

I think most clinics keep you on progesterone until at least 8 weeks. Mine kept me on until 13 weeks because of miscarriage history and then because I had bleeding I was on until 20 weeks. I also started Lubion injections at 12 weeks. Mine was a fresh transfer with ICSI.

I would advise you speak to your clinic and say you are very anxious about stopping. There is enough to worry about during this time x

[JuicyLu]

hello, congratulations on your pregnancy. I was told to take progesterone until 10 weeks (plus oestrogen). I was paranoid as my natural progesterone is very low, so took it for a few weeks longer and then tapered off, but was assured this wasn’t necessary! My understanding is that some clinics advise 8 weeks, some longer. I wasn’t really aware some people stopped straight after a BFP. I think there may be differences with a fresh vs a frozen cycle and that taking progesterone for longer is especially important for a frozen one, but I think my clinic still recommended progesterone for a number of weeks after transfer, so this does sound pretty quick. Something to query with your clinic I think as obviously they know all the details of your situation - they will want a successful outcome too so I would hope whatever they suggest would be to secure this but I totally get why she’d be worried and it’s worth asking why they don’t recommend longer when many other clinics do. Best of luck x

[xIVFWarriorx]

Congratulations on your wonderful news. My clinic stopped my progesterone after I got a positive on OTD but sadly both ended in early miscarriage. I was told that the foetus should be making its own progesterone by that stage. If you’re concerned about it at all I would just ask them to monitor your levels. Wishing you both a long, happy and healthy pregnancy.

[MollyRobs]

I was told to stay on for 12 weeks post transfer. You could ask your clinic for a progesterone test to see if the levels are OK before coming off. My clinic said that progesterone supplements can’t cause any damage so provided you’re ok with the cost then they can only do good. Congratulations and all the best x

[Albs171]

I had no pre existing conditions and stayed on after icsi fet until my 12 week scan was complete x

[McQueeny]

hello and congrats on the BFP!

There is a difference between fresh and frozen transfers. In a frozen transfer there was no ovulation, so the body takes longer to start producing its own progesterone and most are told to stay on progesterone till 10-12 weeks.

In a fresh transfer, because ovulation happened, the hormonal mechanisms of the body operate differently (forgive me, I can’t remember the details) - so technically once pregnancy is established the body should be producing it’s own progesterone. That said, while I’ve heard of other clinics saying to stop once you have a positive test, others still continue till 8-10 weeks just for safety and peace of mind. So it’s quite variable.

If you’re worried, talk to the clinic and have them explain the rationale to you - and if not convinced ask for a prescription, it won’t do any harm even if it’s not technically necessary! I did take progesterone till 10 weeks even after a frsh transfer.

Good luck 🤗

[haylady]

I was told to stop after my BFP as my body would produce progesterone on its own. It was scary but I put my trust in them and so far so good.

[Runninglady87 in reply to haylady]

Hello,

I just got my bfp and it's my otd today. My clinic I believe will advise I stop my utrogestan 200mg pessaries which I am taking 3 times a day. This is seriously causing me so much worry it's keeping me awake at night. How did your clinic explain their rational to you about stopping and how have you been?

[haylady in reply to Runninglady87]

They said your body naturally produces it anyway and that they just supplement it to give you that boost. I was scared too and was tempted to at least use the remaining pessaries I had but they assured me it would be ok and said that actually too much progesterone could possibly be harmful. I was anxious but chose to just trust what they were telling me - they want your pregnancy to work as well. I’m currently 10 weeks so they must have known what they were talking about. Just be sure to mention any fears to them and hopefully they can reassure you. Good luck for your OTD xx

[Koala365]

I havent had a BFP yet but the plan according to the protocol given to me by my clinic is to continue until the 10th week following embryo transfer if I do. In your partner's situation I would be asking why they want her to stop taking it and ask them to think again in the light of recent resaerch and NHS guidelines regarding the use of progesterone to prevent miscarriage. I would be quite insistent (but then again I am a very insistent person!)

[YellowB33 in reply to Koala365]

Thats the thing, we are having our cycle through NHS and we are wondering if the reason she is not being allowed any more is because we are not paying for it. Clinic has told us No and didnt offer it to her even if we paid

[Koala365 in reply to YellowB33]

If they can't give you a rational reason why not, could you ask your GP or pay for a private consultation with a fertility doctor and ask him/her for a prescription for it?

[Jana483]

I took them with both ivf pregnancies til 12 weeks.

[YellowB33]

Thanks everyone for your comments, hoping everything works out for us

[Runninglady87 in reply to YellowB33]

Hello,

How have you been getting on? I've just had my bfp on my otd after a fresh transfer and am wondering the same. I have a feeling my clinic will tell me I don't need to take them anymore. Did you stop cold turkey? Xxx