When to stop progesterone?

[Happy_face]

Hi everyone,I'm currently 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant and have been taking progesterone since before my transfer. I have suffered from loss in the past due to low progesterone levels. I was told I can safely continue up until 13 weeks of pregnancy, however I have been experiencing spotting during early pregnancy. I would like to continue up until 14 weeks as I have a little more medication left which I don't want to waste, plus to give me a little more security as I enter into my second trimester. Any suggestions?

[EjHack]

Hi! My clinic didn’t give me clear instruction about this as well, but I was told by the midwife you can stop after 12 as the placenta takes over. NICE guidelines (gold standard of treatment guidelines for all health care) advise that best practice would be until 16weeks so asked GP to continue prescribe following this. Indicated especially if you have had bleeds in early pregnancy. Hope this helps and massive congratulations! Xxx

[Happy_face in reply to EjHack]

Hi, and thank you for responding. I read that also on the NiCE guidelines, and was thinking the same thing if whether I should just continue to take progesterone up until 16 weeks just to be on the safe side. I have enough progesterone to get me up until the 16 weeks, so I will just continue until then if anything. Thank you very much and best wishes to you xx

[Emlou87]

I previously lost a baby at 12+4 after stopping progesterone at 12 weeks. My clinic tried to say it was coincidence but now agree that I should be on progesterone until 16weeks! X

[Happy_face in reply to Emlou87]

Oh my I'm so sorry to hear that. My clinic told me to initially stop at 7+ weeks but I didn't feel comfortable enough to because of dealing with loss in the past, so I asked them to prescribe me more so that I can be on it for longer until I felt reassured. Sometimes you have to trust your get instincts and speak up if you have concerns. Yes, I'm beginning to feel the same and will continue to take the progesterone up until 16 weeks.

Best wishes xx

[Victoria357]

currently 14+2 and have been told to stop progesterone at 16 weeks x

[Happy_face in reply to Victoria357]

Congratulations on your pregnancy x

[BlueEyedTabby]

Hi there, congrats on your pregnancy! I was in a similar situation to you and continued to take progesterone until I had run out. I sort of weaned myself off it so as not to go cold turkey (I was taking two cyclogest and one lubion a day). For me I think that meant I took until about 13/14 weeks. I would say keep taking it for as long as poss so if your GP will prescribe until 16 weeks go for it 👍 It is worrying when you do stop taking it because you think the worst might happen but like another reply said, the placenta should be well established by then and hopefully you've had your 12 week scan which gives some reassurance. Xxx

[Happy_face in reply to BlueEyedTabby]

Hi,

Thank you. Yes, I had my 12 week scan and everything seemed fine. I will continue to take it for as long as possible. That was my biggest fear if I stopped taking progesterone too early and would it lead to complications. I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure too and have been placed on low aspirin up until 36 weeks of pregnancy. It wasn't easy getting to this stage but I'm grateful, and I want to ensure that I have safe and successful pregnancy.

Thank you once again and best wishes xx

[BlueEyedTabby in reply to Happy_face]

That's great you're on aspirin too, another reassurance. I was on clexane too until 12 ish weeks. I'm 25 weeks today so keep positive ☺️ Very best wishes xxx

[Happy_face in reply to BlueEyedTabby]

I will do, and congratulations on getting to that stage of your pregnancy not long to go 🙂

Thank you xx

[Positivechangeplease]

it won’t harm anything if you do

[WillowPark]

Hi Happy_face, there is a sister group here called Fertility Network Pregnancy Support - you will find lots of chat on there about when to stop progesterone. Your progesterone levels may depend on what sort of protocol you had. I stopped at about 9.5 weeks (I was told I could safely stop at 7 after a natural FET cycle) and all was fine. I was told my first transfer probably failed due to low progesterone (medicated protocol) so I was worried. I had a private scan a few days after I stopped taking the progesterone and it was reassuring to see the placenta there doing its job. It was also nice to get off the drugs and I felt better in myself once I knew the pregnancy was continuing itself. I know others have continued with progesterone much longer. I expect nobody will force you to stop taking it before you are ready so do your own research and go with your own gut. You could also ask to get your levels checked given your history. Congratulations and Good Luck! x

[Happy_face in reply to WillowPark]

Hi,

Thank you, I will check it out. I too had a natural frozen embryo transfer with better success, and I'm trying my best to keep this pregnancy going successfully. Yes I will ask for my levels to be tested for reassurance.

Thank you and best wishes xx

[Doodlebug23]

I had/did the same and I went to EPU who agreed to extend progesterone to 20 weeks if it made me feel happier. Which it did!

[Nicknackpaddywack]

Congratulations on your pregnancy 🎊. I stopped at 12 weeks exact. In fact, I had to take a higher dose double injections of lubion, pressures and the rest if it, on my 3rd medicated fet round. I believe my progesterone must have been very lowin the first 2 unsuccessful rounds because they brought in blood test by my 3rd round and even with the meds my progesterone was like at 30 where they would like it at least 70+. Fast forward, I’m 38 weeks now, so my body done the job, as your placenta has grown by 12 weeks and taken over the corpus luteum’s role. I know exactly how you feel though and I don’t think there’s any harm in continuing if it gives you reassurance, your body will just excrete the additional progesterone! You could call and ask your clinic see what they say?

Have you had your 12 week scan yet? I felt like this really helped me with that transition from IVF, into the antenatal world 🥹.

I really hope this helps.

Best wishes. Xx

[Happy_face in reply to Nicknackpaddywack]

Thank you and a huge congratulations to you on your pregnancy 🤗 when I initially fell pregnant the first time it was a natural conception, my progesterone levels were low so were vitamin D levels. It was then when I realised how important they were to help sustain a pregnancy. Unfortunately I wasn't able to save that pregnancy even though I was placed on high doses of progesterone. So, I've learned from past experiences. I've contacted them, and due to the spotting I have been experiencing, they said I can continue up until 16 weeks. I did have my 12 week scan, and so far everything looked good, baby was very active 😊

Yes it did, thank you for responding.

All the best to you too xxx

[Nane22]

Hi congratulations on your pregnancy 🥰 I’m 13 weeks and 2 days today and EPU advised to continue progesterone till 16 weeks. So I’m taking cyclogest twice a day and one lubion injection. Same as I have done since embryo transfer. Wishing you all the best on your pregnancy xx

[leo1980]

my clinic let me phase out. I took the prontogest every other day and came down to one Cyclogest daily from 2 daily I was 14 weeks by the time I stopped.