Packaging and acceptance rules
1. How many capsules are there in the package?
There are 2 forms of release of the drug: capsules of 100 mg and capsules of 200 mg. Each package of the drug with a dosage of 100 mg contains 28 capsules (2 blisters of 14 capsules each), and each package with a dosage of 200 mg contains 14 capsules (2 blisters of 7 capsules each).
2. How to take the drug?
The micronized progesterone preparation has the following methods of use:
- orally - take orally with water;
- intravaginally - insert into the vagina.
The choice of route of administration is carried out in accordance with the diagnosis, on the recommendation of the doctor and taking into account the individual preferences of the patient.
3. Can I take the drug with food?
No, it is not recommended to take the drug with food. It is recommended to separate food intake and oral administration of the drug by 2 hours. Intravaginal use of the drug does not depend on food intake.
4. Is it possible to use micronized progesterone during breastfeeding?
Progesterone passes into breast milk, so the use of the drug is contraindicated during breastfeeding.
How to take during pregnancy: instructions
The question logically arises of how to take Utrozhestan during pregnancy. Only the doctor can decide this based on the data obtained from the tests taken.
The drug is available in capsules in dosages of 100 mg and 200 mg. This allows doctors to prescribe the appropriate amount of the drug individually for each woman.
Did you know? The medicine is available only in capsule form. But they can be used as tablets, orally, and as suppositories, intravaginally. They differ only in concentration and form. So, a 200 mg capsule has an oval shape, and a 100 mg capsule has a round shape.
The way they are used will also be different. Most often it is prescribed as a suppository in the vagina.
In this case, it is absorbed faster and more reliably, and also produces fewer side effects. For example, when taken orally, the load on the liver increases and severe pain may occur in it, which is why women in some cases have to refuse this form of treatment.
The capsule is inserted into the vagina before going to bed directly in bed in a lying position. When taking the drug in tablet form, they are swallowed 15-20 minutes before meals, after which you should immediately drink a glass of water.
Vaginal reception
5. Are there any special considerations when administering progesterone vaginally?
Hygienic only - it is recommended to wash your hands before and after inserting the drug into the vagina.
6. Is it possible to administer micronized progesterone before and after sexual intercourse?
Since the drug is quickly absorbed into the vagina, it can be administered at any time.
7. When is the best time to administer the drug?
There is no strictly defined time for administration of this drug, however, when taken orally, micronized progesterone is preferably administered in the evening before bedtime. Your doctor will recommend the optimal time for your appointment.
8. Can micronized progesterone be used vaginally during sports or exercise?
Sports or physical exercise are not an obstacle to the vaginal use of the drug, as it is absorbed very quickly and well.
Consequences of taking
9. Can the drug leak after use?
Micronized progesterone preparation is progesterone capsules in an oil solution. The amount of oil in each capsule is insignificant (about 1 ml), so it cannot lead to any pronounced discharge. However, if minor discharge is still present after administration (in rare cases), then this is not a discharge of progesterone itself, but of auxiliary elements. Progesterone itself is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. There should be no concern or inconvenience here.
10. What should I do if drowsiness occurs after taking the drug?
Drowsiness is a consequence of the anxiolytic effect of progesterone: its alpha metabolites have a calming effect on the nervous system. If this effect occurs, it is recommended to either switch from oral to vaginal route of administration, or take the drug orally at bedtime.
11. Are allergic reactions to the drug possible when taken orally?
Yes, in very rare cases an allergic reaction to the components of the drug that are included in the composition is possible.
12. Can micronized progesterone preparation cause changes in body temperature?
Yes maybe. During a normal menstrual cycle without additional administration of progesterone, body temperature also increases slightly after ovulation. The increase in temperature depends on the amount of progesterone in the blood.
13. Is it possible for the capsule to fall out?
No, since the vaginal cavity is anatomically located almost horizontally. In addition, the drug is absorbed very well and quickly.
14. For what diseases can the use of the drug cause undesirable effects?
The drug should be used with caution in diseases of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, migraine, depression, hyperlipoproteinemia, mild to moderate liver dysfunction, photosensitivity.
The drug should also be used with caution in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and lactation.
15. What happens if the course of treatment starts too early?
If the course of treatment began in the first half of the menstrual cycle (especially before the 15th day), a shortening of the menstrual cycle or the appearance of spotting may occur. Such manifestations are characteristic of all progestogens. In this case, it is recommended to postpone the start of treatment to a later day of the cycle (for example, to the 19th).
16. For what diseases can the use of the drug cause undesirable effects?
The drug should be used with caution in diseases of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, migraine, depression, hyperlipoproteinemia, mild to moderate liver dysfunction, photosensitivity.
The drug should also be used with caution in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and lactation.
Micronized progesterone during pregnancy
17. How long can the drug be used in preparation for pregnancy?
As a rule, at the stage of preconception preparation, the course of the drug can be several cycles (from 1 to 3) until pregnancy occurs. But according to the doctor’s decision, the number of cycles can be increased.
18. Is it possible to immediately stop taking the drug during pregnancy if the critical period has passed?
It is recommended to discontinue the drug gradually, reducing the dose by 100-200 mg over the course of a week.
19. Why can the drug be used during pregnancy only until the 34th week?
This is due to the degree of maturity of the organs and systems of the fetus and the timing of the possible onset of labor. It is recommended to discontinue the drug approximately 2-4 weeks before possible birth - by this time the organs and systems of the fetus are almost formed. And from 37 weeks the pregnancy is considered full-term.
20. When can you start using the drug?
Unlike other synthetic gestagens, micronized progesterone can be used before conception, during preparation for pregnancy (pre-pregnancy preparation) and throughout pregnancy, up to 34 weeks (according to the instructions).
The drug dosage regimen is as follows:
In preparation for pregnancy (with luteal phase deficiency):
The daily dose is 200 or 400 mg. Duration of admission: 10 days (usually from the 17th to the 26th day of the cycle).
In the treatment of infertility (to support the luteal phase):
Daily dose: 200-300 mg per day, starting from the 17th day of the cycle. Duration of admission: 10 days (in case of delay of menstruation and diagnosis of pregnancy, treatment should be continued).
During an IVF cycle (luteal phase support):
Daily dose: 600 mg per day. Duration of administration: starting from the day of injection of human chorionic gonadotropin during the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
For threatened abortion or prevention
of habitual abortion resulting from progesterone deficiency:
Daily dose 200-600 mg in 2 divided doses daily. Duration of admission: I and II trimesters of pregnancy.
Prevention (prophylaxis) of premature birth in women at risk (with shortening of the cervix, a history of premature birth and/or premature rupture of membranes):
Daily dose: 200 mg at bedtime. Duration of admission: from the 22nd to the 34th weeks of pregnancy.
How to take utrozhestan?
A specialist should draw up an exact treatment regimen based on test results, the individual characteristics of the woman’s body and other factors. So, if during pregnancy planning progesterone is not synthesized at all, vaginal use of utrozhestan in the form of suppositories is indicated, according to the following scheme:
- Days 13-14 of the menstrual cycle - 100 mg of the drug per day;
- 15-25 days - 2 times a day, 100 mg.
- from day 26 and if pregnancy occurs, it is necessary to increase the dosage by 100 mg every day, up to 800 mg.
It is very important not to cancel utrozhestan, which was taken when planning pregnancy, when it occurs, since this is fraught with spontaneous miscarriage. During pregnancy, you should continue to take the drug until the second trimester of pregnancy. It is better to use vaginal forms of the medicine, since capsules may not be completely absorbed during toxicosis. If progesterone levels are normal, then the daily dose should be 200-300 mg (divided into 2 doses).
Despite the fact that utrozhestan has a minimum of contraindications, is a fairly gentle drug and is prescribed during pregnancy, you should definitely consult with your doctor before using it.
Prepare for pregnancy with the specialists of our Center: you can take the necessary tests and receive recommendations from leading specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology at a time convenient for you.
Why is oral administration prescribed in one case, and intravaginal in another?
Each application option has its own challenges and advantages.
When administered orally, the systemic effects of progesterone are more pronounced, including the effect on the nervous system, which manifests itself in reducing anxiety and improving sleep. This method of administration is used mainly in gynecology.
With the vaginal route of administration, progesterone immediately enters where it is most needed during pregnancy - into the endometrium of the uterus, where all processes of implantation of the fertilized egg and the further development of the unborn baby take place. Therefore, during pregnancy, the maximum effect is observed precisely through the vaginal route of administration of the drug.
The presence of bloody discharge when there is a threat of miscarriage in the early stages does not limit vaginal use and does not reduce the effectiveness of treatment. However, for women who prefer an alternative method of use, a switch is possible
for oral use in a dose of up to 600 mg until acute symptoms are relieved, followed by switching to the vaginal route after acute clinical manifestations are eliminated.
Taking into account the stress factors associated with the threat of miscarriage, experts often consider it advisable to use the drug in combination (400 mg vaginally and 200 mg orally) to enhance the anxiolytic effect of micronized progesterone.
Utrozhestan during pregnancy
Its peculiarity over other similar drugs is that its composition at the molecular level is as similar as possible to natural progesterone.
It is produced in the form of capsules and suppositories. It is absolutely safe for mother and child. It affects the functioning of the endometrium, uterine contractions, and fallopian tubes.
The main purpose of the medication is to give birth to a healthy baby at term and maintain pregnancy. Other advantages include that it does not cause excess weight, does not raise blood pressure, and does not cause swelling.
Utrozhestan was combined with sedatives and antispasmodics.
Spasms, pain in the lower abdomen, and spotting indicate a threat to the fetus. When going to the hospital, they may immediately prescribe Utrozhestan.
