Can I use leftover progesterone from ivf?

[MotherOfShihTzus]

Can I use leftover progesterone on a natural cycle? It's in date. I had a natural chemical last month, and can't help thinking progesterone might have helped (I have pcos do hormonal imbalance). I have my son from IVF and desperately want number 2 but would love to not have to go through IVF again if possible!

I wouldn’t, no way.

Messing around with hormones sounds unwise

Sorry to hear of your chemical, I'm not qualified to give medical advice, but I'm currently taking NHS prescribed progesterone until 24 weeks after getting pregnant naturally, following bleeding between periods and a chemical pregnancy in March this year.

My dose has now been reduced to 200mg twice a day, but I'm planning on saving the leftover 400mg ones for when I get pregnant with my second child in a couple of years (all being well!). They're in date until 2027 and I was advised to start taking them after having a positive test.

From everything I know about the pessaries, the only real risk involved in taking them is that they can mask a miscarriage. It's also obviously difficult to know whether you've miscarried because of a hormonal issue or due to chromosomal issues but I would personally take them following a positive test if you've had progesterone issues in the past.

I'm in a similar boat, OP. Was prescribed 400mg Cyclogest once a day due to recurrent miscarriage. Thankfully DD stuck, and now we're onto ttc no. 2. I've got just over a month's worth of pessaries left (still in date), and I'm considering using them. It seems remiss not to in my case. I plan to chat to my GP, but am worried they'll refuse to prescribe because I have DD. 😑I think i'll just relay my anxiety surrounding the potential for miscarriage based on past experience.

Also not sure whether to begin upon getting positive ovulation test or wait until positive pregnancy test? I think the advice from my consultant previously was after a positive pregnancy test, but I've heard of others getting different advice.

@deliwoman1 I had cyclogest prescribed due to recurrent miscarriage in my previous pregnancy. I spoke to my GP about what to do with having another baby and they said as soon as I get a positive to call them and they will urgently refer me to the consultant so they can re prescribe everything because if it worked last time they'd prefer to do the same again. So maybe just speak to your GP once you get a positive

I’m planning on doing this. There aren’t really any negative side effects and if you look at the Tommys advice it’s to give progesterone if previous miscarriage and bleeding in early pregnancy which will be an awful lot of people, they wouldn’t do this if it was dangerous.

@Knock123 thanks! That’s very reassuring. I hope my GP takes the same attitude. I’ve got to discuss my plans for ttc with them anyway as I have a cyst that’s being investigated and I don’t want to have minor surgery until after baby 2 unless it’s medically necessary right now 😕