Cyclogest stories please - does it work first time?

[Roanna88]

Hey everyone,

I'm on my first round of cyclogest this cycle along with baby aspirin under the early miscarriage clinic. I’ve had 3x confirmed early miscarriages and 2x we think quite likely chemical pregnancies. I had a very faint bfp with first response on the day my period was due this cycle and almost non existent lines since (2 days late). I’m convinced this will end in miscarriage too. As all my others have followed the same pattern. It does feel like the cyclogest is prolonging the inevitable atm but I should wait until AF arrives before stopping I know, just in case a miracle happens!

I was wondering what other people’s experiences were (good and bad). Does cyclogest work first time? Have others found they did a few cycles before success? Any tips? It would just be nice to know others experiences.

thanks in advance xxx

Hi! I hope you’re doing ok today and feeling positive. I am also currently talking Cyclogest as prescribed by my consultant. I’ve had 2 previous miscarriages also and so it was decided I would start taking progesterone the next time I fell pregnant (got a positive test result a week ago)! So I am feeling just as anxious and hoping that this will help, but who knows!! The wait for a scan is torture. I’m only 5 weeks along according to my app so I feel like I still have forever to go until we’ll know if all is ok! (Both my previous pregnancies were lost at 6 weeks.)
I wanted to comment to offer/show support as I know how anxious and lonely it can be. Hopefully others will comment soon with some success stories!! I could use the reassurance also. Sending love xx

Hey! Thanks for taking time to comment. So sorry to hear of your previous losses, it never gets any easier. Keeping everything crossed for you this time. God, time really does slow down, I feel like I’m constantly waiting for the next thing. I have no idea what’s going on with me, faint to non existent lines in tests, still taking cyclogest and aspirin, no sign of AF yet. I struggle to see how this time round will end any different than before, we’ve never made it past 5.5weeks - i feel more baffled than anything else. Sending all the positiveness to you.

Id be so interested to hear of others experiences of cyclogest though.

Thanks so much for sharing with me xxx

I've had several losses.
We are 10 weeks pregnant with IVF baby, as well as cyclogest I'm on progesterone injections, aspirin, clexane, intralipids and steroids. I don't know what's working but something is as this is the furthest I've been.

@Conundrum12345 thanks so much for sharing. It’s so good to hear something working! Congratulations, sending all the luck for it to continue.

Do you mind me asking how you feel on them all health wise? My consultant said further down the line once we’ve ruled out other things if high killer cells might be a cause we could try steroids to lower my immune system with the idea it stops my body attacking baby cells. It scared me a bit thinking of taking steroids lowering my immune system. Would just be nice to know so I can feel more prepared for certain options if needed.

Xxx

Hi @Roanna88 I’m so sorry for your losses.

I’ve had 1MC, 1MMC & 2 CP. The 2 CP I was on steroids and progesterone, so my consultant said they were clearly making it worse for me personally as the pregnancies weren’t lasting as long as my previous two.

I’m currently pregnant again. I am having anxiety issues for other reasons but this is the furthest through I’ve ever been without any bleeding (it gives me anxiety to say that…). I’m currently around 6 weeks so not sure how this will go.

When I had my 2 CP I had brown bleeding both times despite the progesterone, so for me it didn’t stop a chemical pregnancy. It did stop an onslaught of red blood though. I did get red bleeding both times.

I also asked EPU when I rang them and they said progesterone doesn’t stop a CP bleed, it can stop it further along though.

As shit as it is I would go and get an appointment with EPU, they will be able to do blood tests which are far more reliable then peeing on a stick tests.

Also remember everyone reacts differently - just look at me and the PP with steroids and intrepids. The other thing with going to EPU means it’s on your record and I’ve found that the more things on my record the more seriously I’m taken.

it’s such a shit time and I’m so sorry you’re also going through this ❤️

OP I was successful second time round on a combo of cylogest, aspirin, steroids and Vitd3. (After 4 mcs).
You asked about steroids - I felt great on pred, seemed to give me more energy than normal! I think I put on some weight/my face looked rounder. But all worth it given the result.
sorry for your losses and good luck with your treatments

I just realised I forgot to say, for this pregnancy I’ve been on progesterone since cycle day 23, taking 150mg aspirin (originally 75 by the consultant upped it at my scan earlier this week). Vitamin D supplements, and omega 3.

If you happen to be on thyroxine, you want the dose increased when you're pg too

Hey@TheWeeLittleDonkey - it is super shit a journey to endure, I’m so sorry for all your losses too. I totally understand and empathise with the anxiety, it’s so good you’ve got this far already with this pregnancy. Keeping everything crossed for you!

It’s interesting about the progesterone and steroids had such an adverse effect on supporting a pregnancy with you. And how the progesterone stopped heavy bleeding. It’s such a mad world to enter into isn’t it, the stuff we end up learning.

I’m also on 150mg aspirin, high dose omega 3, ferritin as well as the cyclogest.

You’re right, I will ring the clinic tomorrow and just seek advice because although the tests are almost non existent there are no signs of AF and by this point (without cyclogest and aspirin) I’d have started cramping heavily with previous MC.

Thanks so much for sharing such insightful stuff, it really helps having a better understanding of stuff, especially because it feels so lonely being on this type of journey! Xxx

Hi @Iggi999 - congratulations this second time round, that’s great news! So sorry for your previous losses though.

Vit D seems like a common thing people are taking too. Was this recommended by your consultant? I’m not on thyroxine, just 150mg aspirin, cyclogest, ferritin, omega 3.

Thats so interesting about the steroids, it’s definitely removed some of the fear around them. Thanks so much for sharing and for the luck. Xxx

Hi OP, I took progesterone when I fell pregnant with my son (previously had 3 MC and 1 ectopic). So, I managed to carry a pregnancy to term the first time I took it. I was found to have high killer cells. I also took aspirin and steroids.
I felt great! No adverse effects and didn't bloat or gain weight, which I had been concerned about.
I hope you find what works for you OP

Vitamin D3 (needed to be D3) was recommended as part of Dr Shehata's protocol at the time (10 years ago! But I'd be surprised if the vitamin part had changed).

Hi OP, I just wondered how you got on? I have had 2 MMC and 1 MC 4 weeks ago, tried again 2 weeks later and pregnant now so technically 4 weeks. I have started on aspirin and Cyclogest but just so so anxious and still fearing the worst. I really hope everything is going ok for you? X

Hi I’m currently 16weeks pregnant after three miscarriages in a row. For this pregnancy I was prescribed progesterone and aspirin. So far everything is going well. I am still very nervous so I know how stressful this is but just take one day at a time and be reassured that you are giving this pregnancy the best chance.

Mamofboyd congratulations! That’s great to hear and I’m so sorry to hear of your losses. You are super strong.
I’m just so anxious, the weeks for a scan are taking so long and I just can’t keep going through it. I don’t have any symptoms but testing every day and showing positive and I’m trying to get into my head that at 4 weeks, many women don’t even know they are pregnant yet.
I hope everything goes well for you, would be great to hear how you’re progressing x

Hi @Els3086 ,
Sorry to hear of your previous losses. I miscarried again at 5wks but I just knew that was going to happen due to almost non-existent positives. Our consultant said he found a small polyp in my uterus from an ultrasound and says this may be the cause for my recurrent losses and wouldn’t consider any other treatment until it’s removed. I’ve been referred to have this removed and have my consultation/preparation appointment in early jan. Feeling hopeful this might be our answer and solution but watch this space I guess.

Good luck on your journey, it seems many people find success with progesterone if they have no other fertility issues.

If it helps when pregnant, we always use the mantra of today we are pregnant, tomorrow is another day. It feels like the healthiest way when managing recurrent loss. Especially when our minds want to take us on a worry journey of things out of our control.

I hope everything goes ok for you xxx

@Roanna88 I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It’s just the absolute shittest thing.

I’m glad you have a strategy going forwards as that personally always makes me feel better as it gives me an element of control.

I’ve got all my fingers crossed for you. X

@Mamofboyd can I ask - if you don’t mind - what we’re your pregnancy symptoms like during weeks 5-9? In fact, all of you lovely ladies also taking cyclogest; what have your first trimester symptoms been like?
I am approaching week 9. I had a positive scan at 6 wks + 6, but I’ve noticed all pregnancy symptoms seem to have subsided somewhat since then. I still have very tender breasts and my appetite has significantly decreased. But other than that, I can’t say I am noticing much.
I had a funny week around week 6-7 where I noticed certain things a lot more, but I also had Covid, so I can’t be sure if my experiences then were due to pregnancy or the bloody virus.
Also knowing what the common side affects of cyclogest are, has made me more so anxious because I can’t help but wonder if anything I can sense/feel in my body is down to pregnancy or these pessaries.
Having previously experienced two early miscarriages - the most recent of those being a missed miscarriage - I am just desperate to feel more changes in my body to, hopefully, give me some sort of a sign that things are progressing positively.
We have another early, private scan booked for Thursday when I’ll be 9 weeks and I am just so anxious it’s going to be more bad news.
p.s Merry Christmas, all! Sending lots of love and strength to all of you. Especially those of you struggling xx

Hi Roanna88

i am so sorry you had to go through this, it’s truly heartbreaking and I admire your strength. January will soon be here for you to be seen and I really hope this is the answer for you.
Don’t give up. sending you lots of love xx

Hi LGeorgina,
I am 5 + 4 now and have been very bloating and my boobs are so sore, I’ve felt nauseous but not been sick and very tired and like you, I am worried that it’s just the Cyclogest.
It is important to remember symptoms come and go but if you’re anything like me, it doesn’t make it easier! I am constantly grabbing my boobs to see if they hurt etc and begging for every symptom under the sun. Personally for me, the only 2 things that will give me peace of mind are a positive test (as Cyclogest doesn’t affect preg tests) and a scan. My first scan is booked in for Jan 10th and it feels a lifetime away.
Try and relax and stay positive (I know this is easier said than done). Let me know how you get on next week. Send love and strength and a Merry Christmas to you too xx

Hi I am just looking for some reassurance really, I have been taking cyclogest since 3 DPO for short luteal phase and can’t believe it I got a positive yesterday at 11DPO!! I am continuing with the cyclogest but Problem is today I am having some spotting and once when I wiped it was quite pink. Is this a chemical pregnancy that cyclogest is just prolonging? Or might everything be ok 🙏

also if it’s an unviable pregnancy will cyclogest be irrelevant? I don’t really want to carry until 12 weeks to be told at a scan that it’s unviable because the cyclogest kept me going, if that makes sense.

tia x

@Ally638 a nurse in Gynae told me Cyclogest CAN prevent bleeding as it’s often given to ladies who have a bleed. I really hope it’s implantation for you but it may be best to call your local midwife tomorrow for a better answer. I think you’ll be too early for a viability scan but you can go for a scan at 6/7 weeks (as that’s when a heartbeat should usually be present) by contacting your local EPU.
See how you go over the next few days, the only advice I can give this early is do another pregnancy test in a weeks time to see if it’s still positive (providing the bleeding doesn’t get heavier - like period blood) as hcg drops as quick as it rises with a MC or a MMC
I have everything crossed for you but I would suggest keep on the Cyclogest for now but deffo ring midwife tomorrow for more of an expert opinion x