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Original poster

Cyclogest/progesterone - any side effects?

16 replies

Wisteria25 · 28/05/2025 13:57

I’m due to try progesterone for the first time in my two week wait (starting after ovulation opposed to after positive test).

I’ve heard there can be side effects, wondered what people’s experience has been?

If so, is it manageable like can carry on as normal at work etc or can it have more of an effect?

OP posts:
MotherOfShihTzus · 28/05/2025 15:22

You might be a bit tired but definitely manageable for most - hard to know as could be different for all. Remember it can delay a bleed so being ‘late’ won’t necessarily mean pregnant. Can irritate as well, and get messy! If a pessary, I’d favour back entrance - much less mess! And try not to use the loo for 30 mins after. Lie down for a bit if you go with front entrance 👍

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 28/05/2025 15:28

MotherOfShihTzus · 28/05/2025 15:22

You might be a bit tired but definitely manageable for most - hard to know as could be different for all. Remember it can delay a bleed so being ‘late’ won’t necessarily mean pregnant. Can irritate as well, and get messy! If a pessary, I’d favour back entrance - much less mess! And try not to use the loo for 30 mins after. Lie down for a bit if you go with front entrance 👍

Thank you so much! A bit nervous about doing them and had read rectal was best. Trying to work out my mornings timings to fit it in 🙈

ok that’s good re side effects. Just thought I’d get an idea, particularly as I plan my own diary at work and perhaps might avoid lots of travel if I can just in case

OP posts:
Upinthetreetops · 28/05/2025 15:49

Another vote for using it rectally. I had the most awful irritation from it. My vulva used to be on fire and looked scalded red when the remnants of it would fall out and come in contact with the skin down there.
Once I started using it rectally I had no issues whatsoever. Don't have to worry about timing lying down after insertion either because it only really falls out if used vaginally.

JoCM · 28/05/2025 16:13

how easy was it to get it prescribed? I had a 21 day test that was 28 - it’s tricky as some nhs trusts say 30 is best but then others say 15/20 so I was told it was fine. I did have another one at 20 which I was a bit concerned about…but I’ve also heard that it fluctuates so much in a day and that you can get pregnant at that level so unsure what to do! I don’t get spotting or have a short luteal phase and all my other tests have been fine…

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 28/05/2025 17:03

JoCM · 28/05/2025 16:13

how easy was it to get it prescribed? I had a 21 day test that was 28 - it’s tricky as some nhs trusts say 30 is best but then others say 15/20 so I was told it was fine. I did have another one at 20 which I was a bit concerned about…but I’ve also heard that it fluctuates so much in a day and that you can get pregnant at that level so unsure what to do! I don’t get spotting or have a short luteal phase and all my other tests have been fine…

Hi @JoCM, I got it via a private consultation as had levels between 20-35, which they said were on the lower end. I’d also had a chemical pregnancy so suggested could be linked to lower progesterone. You’re right I think it fluctuates through the day, and also for some people it might be ok on the test day (7 days before period) but then drop too quickly etc. So they said it might help and it won’t hurt, so worth trying for a few months. This was a private telehealth clinic online, I got an appt next day and prescription at that appointment. I don’t think GPs always know much about it so think it’s fine when actually it’s not? Happy to share who I went with if helpful

OP posts:
RooneyRu · 28/05/2025 17:24

I haven't had any side effects other than maybe some bloating. I have battled through inserting vaginally - it's not ideal and I dread it. Rectally worse for me as I have other issues on that side of things! I wear a liner and it makes it somewhat bearable.

I also took matters into my own hands because I couldn't get the GP to prescribe. I got it prescribed from a tele health care provider (gynae), I exclaimed my issues and chemical pregs and they were happy to provide.

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 29/05/2025 06:42

RooneyRu · 28/05/2025 17:24

I haven't had any side effects other than maybe some bloating. I have battled through inserting vaginally - it's not ideal and I dread it. Rectally worse for me as I have other issues on that side of things! I wear a liner and it makes it somewhat bearable.

I also took matters into my own hands because I couldn't get the GP to prescribe. I got it prescribed from a tele health care provider (gynae), I exclaimed my issues and chemical pregs and they were happy to provide.

Ahh interesting - I used another kind of vaginal pessary last night (having a course of antibiotics and was recommended to use them to reduce chance of thrush at the same time) and it leaked everywhere so I think I will try rectally but have vaginal as a back up! I just worry about not getting the full dose if some leaks out?

totally agree re getting it privately. I had no idea until recently that you could access private treatment at a pretty affordable cost and for individual bits, I probably would have done it sooner if so

OP posts:
MotherOfShihTzus · 29/05/2025 09:40

@Wisteria25try not to worry; the leakage is the waxy coating - the actual hormones will absorb into vaginal / anal wall within 20-30 mins; what you lose is the coating which is only needed to get the hormones into a shape that can be inserted. Best of luck! X

JoCM · 29/05/2025 10:10

@Wisteria25 Thank you so much. The fertility clinic has given me a letter for the GP so I'll see if they accept that, and if not, would be good to check who you went with!

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 29/05/2025 13:36

MotherOfShihTzus · 29/05/2025 09:40

@Wisteria25try not to worry; the leakage is the waxy coating - the actual hormones will absorb into vaginal / anal wall within 20-30 mins; what you lose is the coating which is only needed to get the hormones into a shape that can be inserted. Best of luck! X

Ah ok, that is reassuring!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wisteria25 · 04/06/2025 22:17

Just to update, no side effects and all fairly straight forward!

OP posts:
patti436 · 05/06/2025 16:36

@Wisteria25 hello, just wanted to ask you about your timings of taking it? will you start on ovulation or a few days after? I've read different things about when to start it. I've had 3 MC and have cyclogest left over from one at the end of last year (imo rectal def the way to go). I'm thinking about taking it when i next ovulate but not sure what my timings should be. NHS told me to only take from the early scan, to ensure pregnancy in the correct place, but private doctor said to take from ovulation but didn't specify more clearly the timings and i'm trying to work it out myself without needing to pay for another private appointment. Am also taking low dose of aspirin daily in the evening.

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 05/06/2025 16:49

patti436 · 05/06/2025 16:36

@Wisteria25 hello, just wanted to ask you about your timings of taking it? will you start on ovulation or a few days after? I've read different things about when to start it. I've had 3 MC and have cyclogest left over from one at the end of last year (imo rectal def the way to go). I'm thinking about taking it when i next ovulate but not sure what my timings should be. NHS told me to only take from the early scan, to ensure pregnancy in the correct place, but private doctor said to take from ovulation but didn't specify more clearly the timings and i'm trying to work it out myself without needing to pay for another private appointment. Am also taking low dose of aspirin daily in the evening.

Hiya, mine said take from 5 days after LH surge, which was 3dpo for me. I’m currently 8dpo now so been taking for 5 days. Would you have enough to keep going if you for a positive test or would you get an appt for more if you needed it?
ive got 3 months worse but think I’ll worry when those 3 months are up and it hasn’t worked (in case it was helping somewhat even if no Bfp yet)

OP posts:
patti436 · 05/06/2025 17:26

@Wisteria25 Thanks for replying and letting me know. I have x45 that are 400mg. When i was pregnant and prescribed them it said to take x2 a day, but the private dr i saw said he would suggest 400mg whilst ttc and then review once preg. So i have enough to give it a try. I will definitely try to get some more in the future when i run out though. Also, do you tend to know when you've ovulated post LH surge? My body doesn't give me strong clues so just checking on how you're testing that? I normally would just assume i've ovulated a day or two later but don't know how to be more specific.

Original poster
Wisteria25 · 05/06/2025 17:29

patti436 · 05/06/2025 17:26

@Wisteria25 Thanks for replying and letting me know. I have x45 that are 400mg. When i was pregnant and prescribed them it said to take x2 a day, but the private dr i saw said he would suggest 400mg whilst ttc and then review once preg. So i have enough to give it a try. I will definitely try to get some more in the future when i run out though. Also, do you tend to know when you've ovulated post LH surge? My body doesn't give me strong clues so just checking on how you're testing that? I normally would just assume i've ovulated a day or two later but don't know how to be more specific.

Ah that sounds like a good amount. I’m taking 400mg 2x a day.

So I track BBT and LH, and usually have a LH surge, then 2 days later a BBT rise which makes me think I ovulate one day after LH surge. But this cycle, I had an ultrasound at 2pm the day after my LH surge, and I hadn’t ovulated yet, so I think it took slightly longer thing month. It’s impossible to know definitely really without scans though annoyingly

OP posts:
patti436 · 05/06/2025 17:56

@Wisteria25 thanks for sharing with me - always looking for more ways to be more specific! maybe i need to try BBT again.. i've been TTC for a few years now and feel like i've given everything a go and nothing works, after last MC in March i'm only just able to go again. but that is the negative place my head's been in. Thanks for your help, wishing you the best of luck x

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