Use of progesterone in treatment of rmc - anyone know about this?

[dancerz]

Has anyone experience of using progesterone supplements for someone who has had recurrent miscarriages?
I asked my consultant about this but felt the response was rather vague (if you're ovulating, you don't need progesterone) but I'm sure I've heard folk on here talk of having this.
Thanks!

I had one mmc in March and because I have health insurance with my job, had the ERPC at a private hospital. When I saw the consultant for a follow-up he prescribed progesterone pessaries (lovely, I know) with instructions to start using them as soon as I get another positive pregnancy test. He said that the NHS won't prescribe them until 3 mcs, but that he thinks that they don't do any harm, and may help to prevent it happening again. So, I have got a month's supply sitting in the cupboard and will start using as soon as neccessary. He seemed to think that mcs can be caused by a lack of progesterone, which you need to help the baby develop. He didn't mention anything to do with ovulation. Sorry, I'm not sure if this is helpful.

It seems like a good idea to me - he said I may as well try them and I agree. Because it was a private prescription it was really expensive (£80 for a month's supply), but I'd much rather start now, than go through this again twice!

Why don't you speak to your consultant again - push them on it. I have heard of lots of ladies on here who have used progesterone successfully after recurrent miscarriage. Have you checked out the recurrent buns thread? There are lots of ladies there who might be able to give you more info.

Good luck!!

I had progesterone injections for my 3rd pregnancy after 2 mcs. I had another mc but for my 4th pregnancy they doubled the dose and I went onto have dd1. I had the same double dose for dd2 and dd3. I started the injections once a week, starting at week 5 and carried on, I think, until week 20. Sorry I'm a bit vague, dd3 is 13 now! After mc2 they definitely identified low oestrogen, or low something, and thought the supplement would help. Obviously medicine may have moved on since then but for me at the time it was a miracle worker! Hope you get some more positive replies. And good luck.

Hi everyone, just jumping in! Anyone know they check your bloods for being low on progesterone...?

Thank you all for your messages. I don't think I have had progesterone tested, something on my temping chart made me think it might be an issue. I think my doctor is sick of hearing from me! (because of course, it's all just "bad luck" )
Securegal, yikes at the prescription charge!

freelancegirl I've had hcg and progesterone checked by taking blood on all three of my pregnancies (all leading to miscarriages)

Sorry to hear of your mcs hairylights. What a horror. Did the results show anything? How are things for you now?

Hi dancerz
Sorry for all your losses.
If you have had 3 rmc and you're interested in taking progesterone Prof Quenby in Birmingham is doing a trial where half of the people will be given progesterone and the other half a placebo (no one knows who has which - not even quenby). Unfortunately theres not alot of information on progesterone in pregnancy and all doctors have different theories, which is why this trial is going ahead. Your GP or Consultant can refer you to see her on the NHS. I know you wont know either way but it will help people like us in the future and hopefully you'll get the result you want. Let me know if you want her details.

I asked about this when I had my recurrent miscarriage testing at UCH, the consultant told me there was no evidence to say this would be beneficial and that he was not prepared to prescribe it. They didn't find any reason for my miscarriages and prescribed an empirical dose of 75mg asprin. I tried that and had another miscarriage, they still told me they wouldn't recommend progesterone.

I am now having further tests from Dr Shehata on the NHS and I think he prescribes progesterone... so, we shall see.

Oh, it's all about the evidence isn't it - and yet they give us "empirical" aspirin!
Hope it works out for you, Havingkittens.
Luckyfor2, thank you, I have found Quenby's details on another search, she does seem to be well regarded.

Thanks dancerz. I am just waiting for my NK Cell test results and then I can start TTC again. Let's just hope I am 7th time lucky!

Just to add that Guys & St Thomas' have a new programme ("Promise" i think ?? something hopeful sounding) for women between 25-39 with more than 3 mc and they are trialling both aspirin and progesterone.

I am now on the trial but my first appt is not until June so I got my private consultant to write me a script for progesterone this morning in case I get pregant before then (same situation as securegal - ERPCs x2 in the last 6 months paid for by work insurance so I have seen this private guy quite a few times). He doesn't think it will do anything particularly but he can see that i need to feel like i am doing something.

The trial Prof. Quenby is doing is also called Promise 'Pro' = 'Pro'gesterone and 'mis' = 'mis'carriage. It must be the same trial though the aspririn wasn't mentioned to me by Quenby but I will be taking it anyway as prescribed by my consultant. I don't think any of these will help me either but its worth a shot!

Nice that they stop that at 39. I guess they think us 40+ ladies are pissing against the wind and they don't want to waste their NHS budgets on us .

I can't begin to express how much that pisses me off, considering most of us were probably a good few years younger than that when we first started TTC but they wouldn't even put us forward for RMC testing until we had 3 miscarriages in a row which means that by the time we get referred for anything we are quite likely to be too old to qualify for these programmes.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive . I should be more thoughtful as I have a friend who is in exactly the same situation as me, same history, same GP etc etc but because she is 8 years older she didn't even get the referal to the clinic. I should be grateful that I am getting some help (rather than moaning that I have to wait until June).

I agree that it is the waiting for 3 that pushes some people into the "older" category (or in some cases exacerbates an immune system issue). So unfair.

It absolutely stinks that anyone should have to go through this three times before testing and like you say HK most ladies would have been under the 39 bracket initially. Unfortunately I guess the reason why they stop the trial at 39 is because the results wouldn't be very accurate as mcs are unfortunately more common at 40, so sorry if this sounds insensitive I'm just saying that the results wouldn't be accurate for the trial not that I don't think you should be offerred the treatment because I think everybody should be given the same care and be offerred the treatment whatever your age.

Pureequeen, sorry I didn't mean to make you feel bad. It's not your fault they draw the line at 39! And Luckyfor2 I guess that's a fair point in the case of a trial. Let's just hope that if it proves to have some validity and becomes a treatment plan rather than a trial that they will then prescribe it regardless of age.

Can i ask, whats the difference between progesterone supplements and lutinizing hormone injections?

Aren't lutinizing hormone injections to stimulate ovulation? Progesterone supplements are used for helping sustain the early stages of pregnancy, as far as I know.

hmm, well they ahve suggested that i have twice weekly LH injections WHEN i become pregnant.....doesnt make sense does it.

I am completely confused now!

Don't take my word for it. That was just a guess.