Progesterone protocol on a natural FET

[Hazelwood12]

Hi there,

I am currently 8 weeks pregnant after a natural FET. I have been taking Cyclogest 400mg x3 a day and have been told to keep on taking it up to 12 weeks.

On my last FET I only took Cyclogest up until my positive pregnancy test but they have put me on it as a precaution as my last pregnancy ended in miscarriage ( I don't actually have a history of miscarriage, but rather ectopic pregnancy hence IVF).

I guess my concern is that I am on quite a high dose of progesterone and that it seems a bit excessive seeing as those who have natural pregnancies only get prescribed 200mg per day if there is bleeding (which I haven't had). I am feeling really rough with this pregnancy and wondered whether the continued cyclogest is contributing towards this? I have also read that progesterone isn't necessarily a great thing for mum and baby in the long term (cancer, autism etc).

Anyone been on a similar protocol with a natural FET?

Thanks,

Chloe

[Fruitandflowers]

It's really common to be on very high doses after a FET for 10-12 weeks, even though I think the placenta takes over a month or so earlier, so I guess women are often on high doses plus producing their own. I tapered off around 10 weeks from a medicated FET but got bleeding so was put back on 3x utrogestan (so 600mg) plus a lubion - when I saw the NHS hospital consultant about the bleeding a month or so later they said you can't have too much progesterone and they were fine for me to stay on it for the rest of the pregnancy even though they felt I didn't need it. With a bit of trual and error I eventually ended up on just one utrogestan (so 200mg) as that seemed to be enough to stop the bleeding. I was due to do a natural FET last year with the same progesterone protocol (which I guess would have been more than you're on once you take into account the lubion) but I fell pregnant naturally - cue panic and again I was told it was fine to take as much progesterone as I was comfortable with. I didn't actually need it as my levels were ok, but it is just that the NHS and IVF doctors were all pretty consistent you couldn't have too much whether IVF, natural FET or natural pregnancy. The progesterone did make me feel pretty crap but then I also had awful morning sickness throughout and reducing it didn't make a huge difference to that, just stopped the terrible headaches and bad stomach. I think the first thing is if you're really feeling rough and worried that you maybe get your levels checked and monitored and see if the doctors are OK with you reducing it and whether your levels are maintained or you get any bleeding etc. But it's such a good sign to me that they've put you on it and are willing to keep you on it as it shows a level of awareness and medical care that I don't think many clinics have yet.

[Eloquentia]

Hi! I was on as high a dose of progesterone during my IVF pregnancy up to 12 weeks. This was because I had the progesterone tested before and after transfer and it was on the low side. The problem with the pessaries is the low absorption rate. If you are worried, it might be worth asking your clinic to test your levels to see if they are indeed on the high side. As to the side effects of progesterone, I have never come across autism in any of the official leaflets or the yellow card system. Might be worth cross checking with those. The first trimester is rough, I hope you feel better soon!