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Original poster

Cyclogest... Progesterone pessary. Really struggling help..

28 replies

Kellyaust · 10/09/2023 20:07

Hi, so I've been given the above pessaries since Friday... Until I'm 16 weeks. The thing is I feel awful... And struggling, wondering if anyone else on these has any advice?

I use them rectally because the thought of them causing spotting if used vaginally scares me to death so I've opted for rectal. But my god, I feel constantly uncomfortable down there 😩 I feel like it's full and I darent pass wind coz I pass fluid containing... Well... What comes out your rectum 🤦‍♀️ how do I cope with this for another 10 weeks??

Please help x

OP posts:
Ruthsoph · 10/09/2023 20:43

I am using pessaries but I use them vaginally and have had no issues
i understand your concerns of causing bleeding so maybe speak to your doctor but it’s so safe
you obviously have been prescribed these for a reason and how you are taking them doesn’t seem to be effective x

Original poster
Kellyaust · 10/09/2023 20:50

@Ruthsoph thank you for replying, tbh I don't know if my anxiety will let me use them vaginally, I had a miscarriage in may so anything down there I am so scared to death. I guess I'll have to see what the next cpl of days bring and if this isn't possible to carry on with I'll have to consider changing to vaginally 😩x

OP posts:
Spottytoddler · 10/09/2023 20:53

I used them rectally and you do get used to them. However I had some of the same worries as you and I wore a pad at all times just in case I had an “accident” as sometimes the wax coating would just randomly fall out 😯 your system does get used to them. You may need to take lactulose for a while alongside them to help things move normally.

LittleRobins · 10/09/2023 21:03

My last pregnancy I was prescribed them and I had the opposite problem to you as my anxiety would only let me use them vaginally! The midwife told me they are absorbed better directly into the cervix so for that reason I didn’t want to use them rectally. If something happened I would have worried that it was because I didn’t use them vaginally as I was advised.

Most people are told rectally is equally as good but it’s your choice. I had zero issues. Set my alarm for half an hour before I got up in the morning to pop one in and let it absorb and popped the other one in when I went to bed. No bleeding whatsoever with them and zero issues. Perfectly clean after a morning shower.

TheBirdintheCave · 10/09/2023 21:25

I always make sure I'm 'empty' before i put one in which does help the uncomfortable feeling ☺️

Spottytoddler · 10/09/2023 21:30

From what I read the progesterone acts systemically rather than locally and so the efficacy of it should be the same regardless of how/where you administer it. It’s just so your body can absorb it. It’s not acting directly on the cervix/vagina. This was also confirmed by my consultant and midwife.

Bucksmamma · 10/09/2023 21:32

I've used them for 2 IVF pregnancies vaginally with panty liners, I found them strangely comforting that they were protecting kidney bean. In my last there was a national shortage so I had to use x2 200mg because I couldn't find the 400mg dose. There's so much going on in your body atm and it's easy to say but please try not to overthink them, your symptoms may well be because of your pregnancy and not because of the pessaries.

Whataretheodds · 10/09/2023 21:35

Why do you think you'll bleed if you use them vaginally?

Are you doing anything to actively manage your anxiety? I understand from my own experience that it is worrisome to be pregnant after miscarriage but 'scared to death' isn't healthy or sustainable.

There will be waxy residue from the pessaries which has to come out somewhere - I can imagine that feels especially disconcerting coming out of your rectum.

TheBirdintheCave · 10/09/2023 23:10

@Whataretheodds I've begged for help re anxiety from EPUs before and got nowhere. In my experience they just don't care about things like that ☹️

MaybeBabyTwo · 10/09/2023 23:22

Are you pushing them in high enough? They should be above your ring of muscle in your bum, then you won't be able to feel them. Rectally 100% the better option than vaginally, the mess vaginally is horrendous!

Whataretheodds · 10/09/2023 23:29

TheBirdintheCave · 10/09/2023 23:10

@Whataretheodds I've begged for help re anxiety from EPUs before and got nowhere. In my experience they just don't care about things like that ☹️

No, I wouldn't expect EPU, but contacting one's GP is sensible.

As and when further along then midwife can help with referrals too.

Bucksmamma · 10/09/2023 23:37

My friend is a nurse in an EPU, they're not equipped for that. Do you have a midwife yet? If not please contact your GP surgery and find out the details of the midwife that will start taking care of you, from there you want a referral to the Perinatal Mental Health Service. I've been getting supper from them myself as my LO has had issue after issue since birth and it's been very very hard on us all

Original poster
Kellyaust · 11/09/2023 06:19

Thanks everyone, and yes I am already with perinatal mental health and already under the GP for anxiety and ptsd so yes all that is dealt with.... Unfortunately that does not change my thinking and worry over my pregnancy.

@Whataretheodds i was advised by epu that it can cause bleeding.

@MaybeBabyTwo yes I think I am coz I wondered that myself so made sure I was pushing them high enough

Maybe it's just my system needing to get used to them, I'm using 2x400mg is that normal?

OP posts:
soberfabulous · 11/09/2023 06:43

sympathies OP - i had to do this throughout my entire pregnancy as i had a cervical stitch at 14 weeks. i used to shove them up my bum before bed and go to bed with pants on. i didn't notice any side effects at night thankfully. it's a horrible thing to have to do though.

Greenvelvetdress · 11/09/2023 06:47

@Kellyaust I usually have 400mg in the morning and 400mg at night, but it depends what your prescription says.

Once they are higher enough up you shouldn't really feel much discomfort, I'm sometimes a bit gassy after them but only for around 15 minutes or so.

Hope you manage to get the hang of it x

Original poster
Kellyaust · 11/09/2023 07:01

Yes I have 400mg morning and 400mg night. Omg I can't wait to stop and I've only just started. I had terrible cramps this morning and TMI sorry... But I've just had to remain on the toilet for half an hour while I had what felt like a colon cleanse! Definitely aren't constipated anymore... 🤦‍♀️ Is it normal for it to be like this at the beginning? Or do I need to change tac? X

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 11/09/2023 07:06

@Whataretheodds My GP doesn't care either sadly.

Greenvelvetdress · 11/09/2023 07:20

@Kellyaust I can find it makes me need to go to the toilet when it's been in a little while, but usually 30 minutes after. You might have to change tac and do it PV if you're not managing rectally 😬 I don't think there's many other options x

hopefulmum46 · 11/09/2023 07:32

I've been using them vaginally rather than rectally as I found rectal very uncomfortable. You do get used to them, I'm on 3 times a day and been on them for about 7 weeks, just under 3 more to go! They do make a mess of your underwear but it washes out fine. I was wearing panty liners initially but have stopped bothering now.
I did have a bit of spotting after a week or so which is when they increased the dose from twice daily to three times and I haven't had any bleeding since (scan also showed baby was fine a couple of weeks after the spotting).
Hope you can get help for your anxiety.

Original poster
Kellyaust · 11/09/2023 07:37

@Greenvelvetdress bloody hell, I'll give it 2 more days see if my body adjusts and then see what to do, I'm hoping it's because it's something new and I just needed a good clear out 🤷‍♀️😂

@hopefulmum46 thats what I'm worried about coz if I start spotting it'll send me off into panic. X

OP posts:
Bottleopener88 · 11/09/2023 07:44

They did cause bleeding for me - including one really big, clot heavy bleed at 11 weeks. Your cervix can get more and more irritated by them, particularly if you work out, making the bleeds worse each time. Needless to say, I found this terribly anxiety-inducing, and meant I was in the EPU nearly every two weeks in the first trimester.

Rectally was far better for me (I finally switched after the 11 week bleed) - could you set an early alarm, put it in, then back to sleep, to give it time to absorb and any ‘seepage’ to come out before you leave the house?

Original poster
Kellyaust · 11/09/2023 07:52

@Bottleopener88 gosh see that's what I'm afraid of. I do insert a good half an hour before I get up, I'm lucky enough at the moment that I'm at home with my toddler after I do early errands so if I need the loo I can go but it's the thought of this happening for the next 10 weeks, I feel dreadful since I've used them

OP posts:
hopefulmum46 · 11/09/2023 08:22

Kellyaust · 11/09/2023 07:37

@Greenvelvetdress bloody hell, I'll give it 2 more days see if my body adjusts and then see what to do, I'm hoping it's because it's something new and I just needed a good clear out 🤷‍♀️😂

@hopefulmum46 thats what I'm worried about coz if I start spotting it'll send me off into panic. X

What I was meaning is that the spotting was almost certainly NOT caused by the pessaries because it happened when I was only on 2 a day and since increasing to 3 a day (so theoretically more chance of trauma) I've been fine

Original poster
Kellyaust · 13/09/2023 19:45

Just updating for anyone else that may need help, I've given in and had to start vaginally, I called my epu nurse and she said to try that until Friday then give her a call if I'm still struggling so she can speak to a doctor. I've had mega bowel, tummy and back ache and TMI... Orange coloured diarrhea and literally cannot sleep at all. I'm scared I may have to stop them 😔

OP posts:
AnaS86 · 13/09/2023 20:15

I can completely sympathise. I have had significant problems with them. Aside from the horrible painful cramps (which come out of nowhere with no pattern), they also give me muscle spasms which can stop me in my tracks and going to the toilet can be very painful. I only have another couple of weeks left but I have asked if I can reduce the dose (currently 2x400/day).
I really hope it improves for you.