How to get progesterone prescribed??

[bananamuffin99]

How do you go about getting progesterone prescribed to you? Is it done by your GP or do you contact the EPU to ask for it? I am currently 5 weeks pregnant after 2 miscarriages last year. I've read that progesterone can help so if I can get it i would really like to give it a try!

In my experience it was impossible to obtain via either a GP or miscarriage clinic on the NHS. To even try and get it from an EPU you'd need to be a patient of a miscarriage clinic and the wait lists are ages to be seen by them in the first instance (and then they very likely may say no anyway like they did me)

I went private for IVF in the end and during treatment when I fell pregnant naturally they were kind enough to proscribe it for me

@bananamuffin99, sorry to hear about your miscarriages and congratulations on your pregnancy this time.

I've been prescribed Cyclogest on the NHS as I've had spotting during my luteal phase for the last 18 months. I also experienced a chemical pregnancy on my last cycle which started with spotting and turned into full on bleeding. I was referred to gynaecology who prescribed me the pessaries to take from receiving a positive test. I'm now 5 weeks pregnant again and haven't experienced any bleeding so far 🤞🏼🤞🏼

In my desperation last month I found an online GP service called Dr Morton's where you pay a monthly charge to email a doctor. The doctor there said that she'd prescribe the progesterone but at a much higher cost than the NHS prescription charge, so it might be worth a try.

Are you bleeding at all? If you look on Tommy's and the PRISM trial it does say that progesterone will only support a pregnancy if you're bleeding. The gynae did also make a point of saying to me that if it's not a viable pregnancy then the progesterone won't help... but I totally understand why you want to take it as I felt exactly the same. Hope it all works out for you

You’d get it from an EPU if you start bleeding and also ask them and they confirm it’s an intrauterine pregnancy, only if you’ve had previous miscarriages I think.
I was bleeding with previous miscarriages before and not offered it at the EPU. I have now been prescribed it for this pregnancy since I started bleeding at 6-7 weeks but it won’t prevent all miscarriages (bleeding again on it and likely mmc) it doesn’t necessarily help. Otherwise it’s only with private care or under miscarriage clinics or for IVF that you’d have it.

Congrats, and sorry for your losses OP

After my 2nd MC, the EPU said they'd happily do a viability scan at 7-8 weeks in a subsequent pregnancy. In my area, I'd need to contact GP for a referral, but in some areas, you contact the EPU directly. It might be worth calling EPU and asking whether this would be an option, and also whether they might prescribe progesterone or know the process in your case. Could you afford a 1 off private fertility/obstetrician visit?

Sorry if the following is TMI. When I had my 3rd MC, I collected the contents in a sterile jar (available online and pharmacies) and took it to an EPU that did genetic testing. They cannot always detect the genetics, but in my case they could. This was put down the 'old eggs' rather than DH or myself having any genetic issues ourselves. It was also handy to have the info when I then had IVF.

Sorry that I haven't really answered your question, but wishing you all the best with this pregnancy.

I got a prescription from a private clinic after a discussion with consultant, for recurrent miscarriages (at the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic) in London. It’s for the whole of my current pregnancy and quite expensive

I got pregnant with a private IVF clinic as well, and they recommended taking the progesterone pessary till 12 weeks. After the viability scan at 7 weeks they suggested me getting the subscription from my GP to save some money. I contacted my GP and they happily prescribed me a few boxes after requesting a letter from the private clinic.

I was prescribed it by the NHS but was under the care of a specialist clinic for people who'd suffered a loss in late pregnancy (22 weeks in my case). Apparently there is little evidence it helps, but no evidence it harms. And I did it for both DC until about 28 weeks and am really glad I did. As PP have said, try a private obstetrician. Yes it will be costly, but so worth it if it helps bring your baby into the world safely (and it's a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of raising a child anyway). Good luck!!!!

I got my prescription from the EPU. I was spotting and told them about my previous miscarriages and requested the progesterone myself. They got a doctor to prescribe it then and there. Definitely think it's worth calling the EPU, explaining your history and asking for a prescription.

In my experience, GPs absolutely will not prescribe unless you're already on it and have a letter from gynae confirming the prescription.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

I got it from my GP but had to start taking it from 2dpo for it to build up and work, 5 weeks would be too late I imagine?

Please try and relax, this is a brand new pregnancy and chances are everything will be ok x

After our second miscarriage, we paid privately to see a consultant at Spire who wrote a letter to the GP saying that if we were to fall pregnant again, I needed progesterone and aspirin from a positive test. Our local EPU have been wonderful too and gave me a prescription as soon as I called

My EPU prescribed it. They said if someone has had 1 or more miscarriages and is then spotting or bleeding in the current pregnancy then it’s the guidelines to now prescribe it. Maybe show your GP the tommys info on this x

I couldn’t get it after 2 miscarriages as was told I needed to have 3. I did have a bit of bleeding at 13 weeks and got prescribed 3 weeks worth then by EPU but only because I had some brown bleeding for 4/5 days.

The easiest and quickest way for you to get it will be to go privately to gynae.

Wishing you the best of luck 🤞🏻
I had two recurrent miscarriages & had lots of early pregnancy bleeds with my third pregnancy. My daughter stuck & is now a healthy 2.5 year old. I didn't get prescribed anything. Just take your pregnancy vitamins and hopefully all works out for you x

Thanks for all your replies :) I have had 3 miscarriages in total, but because I had my DC between the 1st and 2nd they don't count it as being recurrent miscarriages. I had a teeny teeny little bit of pink on the paper when I wiped, like a tiny drop of pink had been mixed with water then later I had a tiny little string of brown. I'm trying to feel positive but it is really hard. If I do start bleeding I will get referred to the EPU ASAP and ask about the progesterone. I'll also discuss with my husband about getting a private prescription too.

For my 2nd pregnancy after 4 m/c I eventually got it from my gynae. I had had numerous tests and saw many doctors who all said it was unnecessary even though I had proven low progesterone measured over several months. My progesterone baby is now 17. With my third, it was unplanned and I just went into the GP and said, I need this, please write me a prescription and they did. That baby is now 13.

I’ve had 2 miscarriages in a row but I asked my go for pogetrogen but wasn’t give as she said I have to be bleeding

Interesting. Sounds like it's so EPAU dependent.
I had one MC and did spot a little in 2nd pregnancy and was given Progesterone on the spot (they didn't even check, they won't exactly make you show them a pad) so sometimes I feel you can just say it if you're very anxious.

So do u think I should call the midwife and tell them I’m anxious as I’m 5+ weeks pregnant

Yeah you could and see if that does anything. I don't think you have a midwife assigned yet though as you're a little early and not had a booking appt yet? Might be wrong.

I'm obviously not telling you if you should or shouldn't lie as that is completely on you but I'm just saying that the EPAU will not ask you for the tissue you wiped with in the morning where you noticed a bit of spotting.

You are correct don’t have an appointment till 2/feb don’t know what to do as I don’t want to miscarry again

I'm really sorry you are feeling like this. It is an awful waiting game and I understand how you're feeling.

Take each day as it comes (I could tell you to try and think positively but I hated when people tried telling me that). Sending baby dust!

One thing I can tell you about progesterone is that they don't really know if it does or doesn't help. There is no harm in having it and it's helped a small number of people but because the causes of MC are so broad, it can't be the cure to everything.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you

Thank you so much hun I’m postive hun it’s gonna happen this time I know for sure and it’s different this time 🙏🏻 I will keep u updated thank you for your replies