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Are you TTC and wondering about taking oral progesterone? Or another progesterone treatment? Well, don’t feel bad if you’re overwhelmed. There’s a lot of confusing information out there.
In fact, several forms of supplementation exist to boost your progesterone levels. But each one works differently. So it’s best to know why you are using progesterone in the first place.
Let’s clear up some of the basics right away!
Trying to get pregnant with low progesterone levels or a risk of miscarriage? Vaginal progesterone or intramuscular injections (IM) are the popular route to take.
Seeking to treat symptoms of menopause? Topical progesterone creams are usually used for this purpose.
So what is oral progesterone used for then? Oral progesterone is mostly for contraception and hormone replacement therapy. It’s not usually suggested for fertility reasons. Mainly because it tends to be less effective and causes more side effects than other progesterone methods.
But keep reading. You’ll learn all about oral progesterone and progesterone supplementation for pregnancy.
Why progesterone matters for getting pregnant
Progesterone makes all the difference when it comes to a healthy pregnancy.
This vital pregnancy makes sure your uterus doesn’t contract. Uterine contractions can get in the way of proper implantation. They can also lead to preterm labor further along in pregnancy.
Once implantation is successful, progesterone looks out for your growing fetus. It does this by keeping your immune system from attacking the fetus.
What’s more? Progesterone keeps ovulation away while you’re pregnant. And it also helps trigger the tissue in your breasts to develop and get ready for lactation.
Basically, progesterone does all the things.
Since progesterone is so crucial, you may be wondering: should I take an oral progesterone supplement for pregnancy?
Keep reading! In the next section, we’ll cover everything you need to know about oral progesterone.
What is oral progesterone?
Here’s the lowdown on oral progesterone.
Any type of progesterone supplement that is consumed orally is considered oral progesterone. You may also hear it called oral micronized progesterone therapy. This can be in the form of either pills or tablets that you take by mouth. You would take a specific dosage at specified intervals.
Pills are generally the most common form of medication across the board. But in the case of boosting progesterone for fertility reasons, injections, and suppositories are actually more common. This is because oral progesterone has more side effects and less efficacy. We’ll get into more details on this in the next section, so keep reading
Downsides of oral progesterone
Consuming progesterone orally has two main drawbacks. Let’s carefully examine each one. This way, you can make the most informed decision for yourself.
1. When taken by mouth, progesterone has low bioavailability.
This means very little of the dose that you start with before consumption is actually available to use in the body once ingested.
Here’s why this happens. Let’s say you consume a progesterone pill or tablet. It first has to go through your liver as well as the mucus and flora of your intestines.
During these metabolic processes, much of the progesterone becomes neutralized. By the time it reaches your bloodstream, there is little left to be absorbed. Think of it like starting with 10 blueberries but only ending up with 1 by the end.
Simply put, oral progesterone is not the best choice for luteal phase support.
Not to worry though! There are other methods like IM injections that lead to more successful implantation outcomes.
2. Oral progesterone comes with increased side effects.
Another issue that arises from oral progesterone is a higher likelihood of side effects.
When progesterone pills or tablets are metabolized, additional metabolites are created. These then unleash their own set of side effects. This means you have a much higher chance of experiencing unwanted side effects. And who wants that?
Oral progesterone side effects
As mentioned, progesterone pills and tablets lead to more intense side effects than other forms of progesterone. This is why it can be challenging for women to stick to an oral progesterone regimen.
Here are some of the most common side effects of progesterone:
- Bloating and abdominal pain
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Changes in sex drive
- Breast tenderness or pain
If you take synthetic progestin, more serious side effects are possible. These include sedation and liver damage. Consult your doctor immediately if you have any concerning side effects.
What to take instead of oral progesterone for pregnancy?
Still think you may benefit from progesterone therapy for fertility reasons? Well, here are two better alternatives to oral progesterone.
There is one main reason that other routes like IM or vaginal progesterone are more effective. This is because the progesterone is able to bypass this first-pass metabolism. This allows the supplement to exert a more direct effect on the liver. As a result, more progesterone enters your bloodstream.
It’s best to have all the information for yourself though. So here’s a little more about each alternative!
- Intramuscular injections (IM)
For IM, the progesterone gets dissolved into an oil medium. This mixture is then injected into your buttocks or glutes.
A randomized study of IVF warriors gives insight into IM versus oral progesterone for luteal phase support. The implantation rates were twice as successful for the women getting IM progesterone.
Know more: Progesterone Injections: Who, What, When, Where, Why, And How
- Vaginal progesterone
Vaginal progesterone comes in two forms: a topical gel as well as suppositories. For both types, you insert them into your vagina using an applicator. Think of these as similar to inserting a tampon.
Research shows that vaginal progesterone is more effective than oral progesterone. And as an added bonus, it leads to less side effects. Win-win!
Know more: Progesterone Suppositories: The Ultimate How-To Guide!
A note on synthetic vs. natural progesterone
You’ve probably noticed by now, but not all progesterone is made equal. Some progesterone supplementation is considered natural. Other forms are synthetic.
While they both behave similarly in our bodies, there are some key differences you should be aware of. Check out the table below to see how they match up.
Regardless of which type you decide to use, be sure to check with your doctor first!
How to use Inito while on progesterone supplementation?
Planning to use progesterone supplementation while tracking your fertility with Inito? No problem!
Here are the main things to keep in mind with your Inito monitor data while on progesterone.
- The Inito Fertility Monitor tells you the exact PdG (urine metabolite of progesterone) levels present in your urine. This data helps you confirm ovulation.
- Taking any form of progesterone changes the levels of progesterone in your body. This in turn also increases the amount of PdG in your urine.
- You could get a false positive reading if you take progesterone before you ovulate. Basically, an “ovulation confirmed” reading on your monitor may not be inaccurate.
So what should you do to ensure your Inito monitor data is as accurate as possible?
Wait until you get the “ovulation confirmed” reading on your monitor. This is noted by the rise in your PdG levels. After you have that confirmation, you can move forward with your progesterone supplementation.
Still have any confusion? Be sure to consult your healthcare provider or fertility specialist.
Takeaways
- Progesterone is an essential sex hormone. It helps you get pregnant and stay pregnant.
- Oral progesterone is usually used for HRT and contraception; it’s not ideal for those TTC.
- Oral progesterone is less effective and causes more side effects than other progesterone therapies.
- Alternatives to oral progesterone include IM and vaginal progesterone. Both of these are more suited for boosting progesterone for fertility purposes.
- If using progesterone while tracking with a fertility monitor like Inito, don’t start until ovulation is confirmed.
- Always consult your doctor before beginning oral progesterone supplementation.
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- Physiology, Progesterone – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
- Progesterone to prevent miscarriage in women with early pregnancy bleeding: the PRISM RCT
- Vaginal micronized progesterone in continuous hormone replacement therapy. A prospective randomized study
- Progesterone Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics With 3 Dosages and 2 Regimens of an Effervescent Micronized Progesterone Vaginal Insert | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic
- Oral versus intramuscular progesterone for in vitro fertilization: a prospective randomized study
- Natural vaginal progesterone is associated with minimal psychological side effects: a preliminary study
- Natural vaginal progesterone is associated with minimal psychological side effects: a preliminary study
- Efficacy and tolerability of vaginal progesterone capsules (Utrogest™ 200) compared with progesterone gel (Crinone™ 8%) for luteal phase support during assisted reproduction – Fertility and Sterility
- Use of progestagens during early pregnancy – PMC
- Oral versus intramuscular progesterone for in vitro fertilization: a prospective randomized study
- Full article: Vaginal progesterone and the vaginal first-pass effect
