When is Utrozhestan really necessary during pregnancy?

Mechanism of action of the drug

Progesterone, the active substance of Utrozhestan, is identical to the natural hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary. After binding to receptors on the surface of cell membranes of target organs, it penetrates into the cell nucleus and, by activating DNA, accelerates RNA production. The substance causes a transition of the endometrium (the mucous membrane lining the uterine cavity) from the proliferation phase, initiated by the follicular hormone estradiol, into the secretory phase, and after fertilization of the egg has occurred - into a state that is necessary for its normal development. Utrozhestan helps to reduce the contractility and excitability of the muscles of the fallopian tubes and uterus, as well as the formation of a normal endometrium. Activates the development of the end chambers of the mammary gland and induces lactation, provides an increase in fat reserves, stimulating the enzyme protein lipase.

Utrozhestan improves glucose utilization and leads to the accumulation of glycogen in the liver by promoting an increase in the concentration of stimulated and basal insulin. Thanks to the influence of the gestagenic agent, the production of gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland increases, azotemia decreases, and nitrogen excretion by the kidneys increases. After administration, progesterone is rapidly absorbed, an increase in its concentration in the blood plasma is noted after 1 hour, and Cmax is achieved after 2-6 hours. When using Utrozhestan 2 times a day at a dose of 100 mg, the average concentration of the substance remains for 24 hours at the level of 9.7 ng/ml.

The vaginal microflora in women consists of many bacteria and fungal organisms. When exposed to negative external or internal factors, their growth increases, which is why various diseases arise, accompanied by pain, heaviness, discharge and itching. Read more in the article: “suppositories for itching in the intimate area.”

What effect does micronized progesterone have?

1. In case of threatened abortion
, prevention of habitual abortion due to progesterone deficiency, as well as prevention of premature birth in women at risk, the drug of micronized progesterone has:

— progestational and immunomodulatory effect

, preventing immune conflict between the organisms of the mother and fetus;

— tocolytic (relaxing) effect

, reducing the excitability and contraction of the muscles of the uterus and fallopian tubes;

— antimineralocorticoid effect

, regulating water metabolism and preventing excess fluid retention;

— anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and sedative (calming) effect

, acting with the help of allopregnanolone - a metabolite of progesterone - on certain receptors in the brain.

has a beneficial effect not only on the course of pregnancy, but also on the development of the child’s nervous system: the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone affects the development of cells responsible for the myelination (insulation) of nerve fibers. A lack of progesterone can lead to a decrease in the speed of impulse transmission and disturbances in the process of formation of the nervous system, which can cause future neurological diseases.

2. For menstrual irregularities
and in preparation for pregnancy
.

The micronized progesterone preparation provides a full second (luteal) phase of the cycle, causes secretory transformation of the endometrium - changes in the uterine mucosa, which are necessary for the onset and maintenance of pregnancy.

3. With hormone replacement therapy

in women during menopause.

While taking estrogen, a woman experiences active growth of the endometrium. The drug micronized progesterone corrects (restrains) its growth, preventing uterine bleeding and possible neoplastic changes in the endometrium. In addition, the drug affects the central nervous system, having a calming and relaxing effect, reducing irritability and normalizing sleep.

Method of use and dosage of the micronized progesterone preparation

The duration of treatment with the drug depends on the characteristics and nature of the disease. There are two options for taking the drug: oral (taking the capsule orally with water) and intravaginal (inserting the capsule into the vagina).

The role of progesterone during pregnancy

Progesterone belongs to the class of biologically active substances - steroids, the main place of production of which is the corpus luteum of the ovaries. Its daily level in the body depends on the phase of menstruation, the duration of pregnancy, and the use of oral contraceptives. The minimum level of progesterone occurs in the female body at the beginning of the monthly cycle, and the hormone reaches its maximum in the second half, during the release of a full-fledged egg. But now the long-awaited pregnancy has arrived, and progesterone “gets to work”:

• The hormone stops the menstrual cycle, that is, the formation of new eggs, for the entire period of bearing a child.
• Helps the uterus accept (implant) and not reject a fertilized egg in the future.
• Creates conditions for cell division and proper formation of embryonic tissue.
• Influences the emotional and mental state of a woman, preparing her for future motherhood.
• Reduces the activity of the smooth muscles of the uterus to avoid aborted pregnancy.
• Prepares the body for future childbirth by promoting the separation of the pelvic bones and relaxation of muscles and ligaments.
• Activates the growth of the mammary glands, tuning them for the process of lactation.

Throughout pregnancy, progesterone levels continuously rise. If the norm of progesterone during early pregnancy is 12-18.2 nanograms per milliliter, then in the last trimester the normal value will be 132.6-172 nanograms.

Chondroitin and glucosamine are very important substances for musculoskeletal health. That is why drugs containing them are often prescribed to patients with diseases of the joints and spinal column. Read more in the article: “chondroitin and glucosamine: drugs and cheap analogues.”

What role do hormones play in the development and maturation of a baby?

Although the content of hormones in the blood is very small, they bear the main responsibility in the body of the expectant mother. They are responsible for the coherence of all systems. The combination of these biologically active substances can be compared to a set of computer settings. As soon as one of the settings is lost, the end result changes. This is why balance is so important, especially for an interesting position.

Hormonal imbalance can lead to the following consequences:

1. difficulties in conceiving a child;
2. infertility;
3. premature birth;
4. miscarriages;
5. various diseases of the female genital organs and mammary glands.

Hormones regulate all processes, from ovulation, fertilization and attachment of the fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, and until the onset of childbirth. By suppressing or enhancing the action of certain hormones, the body is reorganized first to bear and preserve a child, and then to childbirth.

Why is it prescribed during pregnancy?

Utrozhestan is indicated for women for the correction of diseases caused by inferiority of the corpus luteum. Administration can take place orally or vaginally, and depends on the pathology. Internal administration of Utrozhestan during pregnancy is carried out in the presence of the following obstetric pathologies:

• risk of miscarriage;
• prevention of premature birth.
• Outside of pregnancy, Utrozhestan is prescribed to eliminate the following gynecological pathologies:
• premenstrual disorders;
• infertility due to luteal phase disturbance;
• disturbance of the ovulatory process (anovulation, disovulation);
• gestagen deficiency in menopause;
• mastopathy;
• precimacteric period.

Vaginal use of Utrozhestan is appropriate for:

• inability to swallow capsules orally (toxicosis, diseases of internal organs);
• impossibility of conception due to infertility;
• threat of miscarriage;
• risk of premature onset of labor.

If a woman is confirmed to have a lack of progesterone, Utrozhestan during pregnancy is prescribed in any form, regardless of gestational age. The drug fully compensates for the lack of progesterone without disturbing the woman’s natural hormonal balance. Proper treatment does not cause complications, does not contribute to excess weight gain or worsening pregnancy. But the effectiveness of replacement therapy during gestation depends on the adequacy of the prescribed dose and the general dosage regimen.

When planning a pregnancy

Only a doctor can prescribe a regimen for taking the drug. Here he is guided solely by the clinical picture. The use of the drug has its own characteristics:

• For premenstrual tension syndrome, insufficient luteal phase, fibrocystic mastopathy, dysmenorrhea, premenopause, the drug is taken orally. The daily dose will be 200-300 ml, add to 2 doses. Take the drug in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle. The duration of therapy will be 10 days.
• During hormone replacement therapy, Utrozhestan is taken 2 capsules per day. The duration of therapy will be 10-12 days. If menopause has occurred, then 1 capsule per day for 25 days. It is advisable to take it before going to bed, with plenty of water. It is forbidden to drink capsules immediately after meals or immediately before meals.

• If there is a lack of progesterone, use suppositories, 1 suppository once a day. Carry out treatment on days 13-14 of the menstrual cycle. After removal, it changes - 1 suppository 2 times a day (days 15-25 of the cycle). Starting from day 26, the dosage is increased by 1 suppository per day. And so on every week until the maximum result is obtained. The limit is 6 suppositories per day, divided into 3 doses. The duration of therapy can be 2 months.
• In order to maintain the luteal phase during IVF, the drug is used in the form of suppositories. Introduce them intravaginally, 4-6 pieces per day. Start treatment from the day of gonadotropin injection. End of therapy at 20 weeks of pregnancy.

During early pregnancy

Why is the drug prescribed during pregnancy at different stages? During pregnancy, women usually use vaginal administration of the medication. For this, special candles are used. Utrozhestan tablets or capsules are usually not used during pregnancy. More often during pregnancy, expectant mothers are prescribed suppositories. They can be used in the first, second and third trimester.

In the early stages after conception, you can use it as prescribed by your doctor.

Only a specialist can make a decision on prescribing medication based on the woman’s medical examination data. In this case, it is recommended to insert suppositories into the vagina at the same time of day. This method of administering the hormone helps prevent the negative effect of the drug on the digestive system, in particular on the liver. In the first trimester, Utrozhestan is prescribed for the following purposes:

• Prevention of increased uterine tone and elimination of this condition.

• Normalization of the central nervous system.
• Preventing miscarriage and premature birth.

Replenishment of progesterone in the body when there is a lack of it. Utrozhestan does not have side effects on the fetus. This fact is confirmed by numerous medical studies. In extremely rare cases, a child develops a disorder such as an anomaly in the urethra.

Utrozhestan 200 during early pregnancy

The readiness of the female body for pregnancy and the normal bearing of a child depend, among other factors, on the state of the hormonal system. One of the main hormones regulating this process is progesterone. Progesterone is called the “pregnancy hormone”. It is responsible for the regularity and duration of the menstrual cycle, and in pregnant women, for the normal bearing of the baby. Both a decrease and an increase in progesterone levels are fraught with serious problems. In the first case - miscarriage and spontaneous abortions, and in the second - delayed maturation of the placenta and, as a consequence, various pathologies of the fetus.

The action of Utrozhestan is to compensate for the lack of progesterone.

Utrozhestan capsules are used both as tablets and as vaginal suppositories. In both cases, the highest concentration of the hormone is formed after an hour, and the derivative substances are excreted from the body in the urine. When taken vaginally, the drug does not irritate the gastrointestinal tract and does not cause additional troubles when the tablet is difficult to swallow due to toxicosis.

This is the answer to the question why Utrozhestan suppositories are prescribed during pregnancy, and not capsules for oral administration. Typically, Utrozhestan is taken at a dose of 100 mg twice a day, and 200 mg once a day, at night. The dosage regimen and dosage depend on the method of taking the medicine. Utrozhestan tablets should be taken after meals and with plenty of liquid.

Utrozhestan in early pregnancy

Utrozhestan during early pregnancy, in the first trimester, is prescribed mainly in the form of suppositories, which are administered at the same time in the evening every day. This form of the drug is preferable to tablets, as it causes fewer side effects that are undesirable for the pregnant woman and baby, especially from the liver.

Medicine can solve many of the problems with pregnancy by prescribing women an adequate dose of progesterone. The drug reduces the tone of the uterus and tidies up the nervous system. Side effects of Utrozhestan during early pregnancy: dizziness and absent-mindedness, so be extremely careful when driving a car and at work. Thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and liver problems can also cause your doctor to refuse Utrozhestan therapy. In most cases, Utrozhestan is well tolerated. Additional care is needed when taking the drug for pregnant women, those suffering from diabetes mellitus and those with problems with the cardiovascular system. There are no uniform recommendations for all pregnant women - a possible daily dosage is 300-600 mg. Since the drug is herbal based, you will not be able to gain weight while taking it. It does not take part in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Utrozhestan does not cause swelling and does not harm the baby, and does not lead to hormonal disorders in the child after birth. This is evidenced by the fact that hundreds of thousands of children around the world were born due to the fact that the doctor recommended Utrozhestan when there was a threat of miscarriage. The drug has no analogues.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Utrozhestan at 5 weeks of pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special state of the body, it is a reason for joy and new hopes. But often during a short period of pregnancy it is necessary to prescribe medications that help preserve it. Utrozhestan during pregnancy at 5 weeks may be prescribed to you if there is slight bleeding or the uterus is in good shape. Utrozhestan is designed for long-term use. It is made from plant materials. So a decrease in hormonal levels should not cause you to panic; it can be completely eliminated without consequences for your health during pregnancy. But you should not self-medicate in any case - everything is under the control of a gynecologist!

The drug has a minimum of side effects; when taking it, you will not suffer from swelling or gain weight. It normalizes the structure of the endometrium in early pregnancy so that the baby feels good in your belly.

The drug should not be abruptly discontinued. Your doctor will tell you at your appointment how best to reduce your dosage. Usually it is reduced by 50 mg weekly.

Utrozhestan at 13 weeks of pregnancy

Utrozhestan is prescribed at the 13th week of pregnancy if there is a threat of miscarriage due to a lack of progesterone. This problem is very common today. Antispasmodics are also often prescribed. They are fully compatible with Utrozhestan. Utrozhestan during pregnancy is in most cases prescribed in a dosage of 200 mg. Utrozhestan does not suppress the production of pregnancy hormones by your body, but complements them and therefore cannot cause harm. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that utrozhestan should not be prescribed to women with liver problems, thrombosis and varicose veins.

How to enter correctly?

The standard and most effective method of using Utrozhestan capsules during pregnancy is vaginal administration. The doctor will prescribe this medicine at the stage of preparation for conception and during pregnancy in order to create maximum conditions for the fulfillment of the dream of having a healthy baby at term. The woman’s task is to be able to use Utrozhestan capsules correctly, observing the dosage of the drug and equal intervals of time between local use of the medicine. The effectiveness of treatment measures largely depends on this. The undoubted advantages of Utrozhestan when inserted into the vagina are the following factors:

• no negative effect from the passage of the drug through the liver;
• the drug is quickly absorbed;
• most of the active substance enters the vascular system in the area of ​​the reproductive organs;
• no calming or inhibitory effect;
• ensures maximum effect on the inner surface of the uterus;

• the duration of action of the drug reaches 30 hours; the level of progesterone in a woman’s blood when Utrozhestan is applied topically will be stable throughout the day;
• convenience and ease of use.

The doctor will prescribe vaginal use of Utrozhestan during pregnancy against the background of obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic disorders. Thanks to this drug and the administration method, there are real chances to carry and give birth to a child against the background of chronic diseases of the internal organs.

How is the medicine absorbed through the vaginal method of administration?

The doctor knows how long it takes for the hormonal drug to be absorbed when administered vaginally, so he will indicate in the recommendations the required frequency of use of the drug during the day. several options

:

• 100 mg capsules twice a day, morning and evening;
• 200 mg capsule at night;
• 200 mg capsules in the morning and at night;
• three times the use of the drug 200 mg (morning, afternoon and evening).

Preventative

a daily dosage of 200 mg creates an average concentration of progesterone in a woman’s blood at a level of 25 ng/ml over 24 hours. This is quite enough to maintain a pregnancy in the absence or with minor manifestations of the threat of termination.

If unpleasant and dangerous symptoms occur during pregnancy, the doctor will recommend more frequent administration of large doses of Utrozhestan. It is very important to understand and know exactly

, how long after the next capsule should be administered, how to do it correctly, and how to behave after the capsule is administered.

Until what week should I take it during pregnancy?

If a woman takes the drug during the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy, then its withdrawal should not be abrupt. For example, if a woman drinks 200 mg of progesterone per day, then for 5 days. the dosage must be reduced by half over the next 5 days. cancel completely. Therefore, it is recommended to start reducing the dose of Utrozhestan at 30 weeks of pregnancy. It will be possible to complete hormone therapy at approximately 31 or 32 weeks. After discontinuation of the hormonal drug, minor bleeding may appear, which is not a pathology; it should completely stop within a few days.

At 35-37 weeks, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination to assess the progress of pregnancy and determine the length of the cervix.

Thus, the dose is reduced gradually and very slowly over 4-6 weeks. In this case, careful monitoring of the pregnant woman’s condition is required: if a decrease in the dosage of the drug leads to the appearance of bloody discharge and nagging pain in the lower abdomen, most likely, you will have to return to the previous dose of Utrozhestan. If no dangerous conditions are observed, drug withdrawal continues according to the scheme, as a result, Utrozhestan is canceled completely or it is replaced with an alternative suitable drug.

Instructions for use of utrozhestan during pregnancy

During pregnancy, Utrozhestan is taken orally or intravaginally. Typically the dosage of tablets is 200 mg. The drug is taken in two doses.

200 mg of the drug is administered into the vagina in two doses, preferably at night, as it tends to leak.

Utrozhestan is used cautiously for diabetes, epilepsy, depression, varicose veins, thrombosis, for liver problems not in the stage of compensation, for malignant neoplasms of the female genital area and mammary glands at the time of administration, or in history.

Contraindications for use

Absolute:

• incomplete abortion;
• vaginal bleeding of unknown origin;
• porphyria;
• thrombophlebitis,
• deep vein thrombosis,
• intracranial hemorrhage,
• thromboembolic disorders (stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism) or a history of the listed diseases/conditions;

• suspected or established malignant tumors of the genital organs and mammary glands;
• hypersensitivity to the main or auxiliary components of the drug.

In addition, taking Utrozhestan capsules orally is contraindicated in case of severe liver diseases in history or currently (malignant neoplasms of the liver, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, Rotor and Dubin-Johnson syndromes). The drug is prescribed with caution to patients with the following diseases:

• arterial hypertension;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• diabetes;
• hyperlipoproteinemia;
• bronchial asthma;
• chronic renal failure;
• mild to moderate liver dysfunction;
• migraine;
• photosensitivity;
• depression;
• epilepsy.

Utrozhestan is not used to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Capsules should not be taken with food, as food increases the bioavailability of progesterone. Patients with a history of depression should be under medical supervision. If severe depression develops, Utrozhestan should be discontinued.

Indications, contraindications, side effects

Pregnant women are prescribed Utrozhestan for:

• threat of abortion or if the woman has had abortions before;
• the existing threat of premature birth (when the due date has not yet approached, and the cervix has begun to shorten);
• increased uterine tone.

My doctor prescribed this drug to me after an ultrasound at 7–8 weeks of pregnancy. The reason was the discovery of a corpus luteum cyst (as a result, a possible disruption in the production of progesterone). In addition, the gynecologist drew attention to the insufficient attachment of the fertilized egg to the walls of the uterus. The doctor immediately predicted that I would have to drink Utrozhestan until the middle of the second trimester. In addition to taking hormones, motor rest was prescribed at least until the first screening.

To survive, the embryo must literally “grow” into the endometrium, and this requires progesterone

Women planning pregnancy and those diagnosed with infertility are prescribed Utrozhestan in preparation for the IVF procedure:

• to support the luteal phase (this helps the egg, if fertilized, to gain a foothold in the uterus);
• as hormone replacement therapy if the body does not produce enough progesterone.

In addition, Utrozhestan softens the onset of menopause and improves the quality of life of women who have had their ovaries removed for some reason.

Contraindications to the use of Utrozhestan are:

• thrombosis and thromboembolic disorders;
• bleeding from the vagina with an unknown cause;
• presence or suspicion of malignant tumors of the breast or genital organs;
• porphyria;
• incomplete abortion;
• liver diseases;
• age under 18 years (studies not conducted);
• breastfeeding (passes into breast milk);
• allergic reactions to the components of the drug (especially soy lecithin).

The manufacturer recommends using the drug with extreme caution in women with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, photosensitivity, asthma, and kidney disease.

Like any hormonal drug, Utrozhestan has side effects. If the “side effects” make themselves felt too strongly, then you should talk to your doctor about reducing the dosage.

Women taking this drug may experience:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• menstrual irregularities, spotting outside of menstruation;
• headache;
• nausea, bloating, constipation or diarrhea;
• skin rashes, itching.

If the side effects are too severe, your doctor may recommend switching from oral to intravaginal: as mentioned above, the capsules can be used in both ways.

Side effects during pregnancy

Like any other medicine, this drug can cause negative reactions in the body. It is worth noting that most often this occurs when the drug is used independently without a doctor’s prescription. The drug also causes an unexpected reaction in the body when overdosing or reducing the time between doses. The drug "Utrozhestan" may have the following side effects:

• Allergy.
  If intolerance to any component of the drug occurs, this manifests itself as a skin rash, itching, and redness of the genitals (with vaginal administration). Nausea and vomiting may also occur. All these symptoms must be treated with appropriate medications. The hormonal medicine should be replaced with one with a similar effect.
• Changes in the functioning of the excretory organs.
  When used orally, the drug "Utrozhestan" has side effects in the form of increased and diluted stools. Some patients report constipation and bloating. This may be caused by the effect of the drug on smooth muscle. In addition, the drug can cause a diuretic effect on the body. This occurs especially often when using appropriate medications. Most often, treatment for such effects is not required, and therapy is not canceled.

• Nervous system reaction.
  Side effects of the drug may include headache, weakness and drowsiness. Most often, such symptoms appear within 1-3 hours after administration. Doctors advise in this case to choose an alternative drug.
• Bleeding from the genital tract.
  Very rarely, taking the drug may be accompanied by spotting and spotting. You should definitely report this side effect to your doctor and change your treatment regimen if necessary.

Features of the drug use

Treatment in recommended doses does not have a contraceptive effect. If treatment is started very early in the menstrual cycle, especially before the 15th day of the cycle, shortening of the cycle or bleeding may occur. In case of uterine bleeding, do not prescribe the drug without specifying its cause, in particular when examining the endometrium. Use with caution in patients with fluid retention (for example, hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, patients with epilepsy, migraine, bronchial asthma), with a history of depression, diabetes mellitus, impaired liver function, photosensitivity.

Before prescribing the drug, patients with a family history of neoplasms and patients with recurrent cholestasis or persistent itching during pregnancy, impaired liver function, cardiac or renal failure, fibrocystic mastopathy, epilepsy, asthma, otosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, should be carefully examined. systemic lupus erythematosus. Due to thromboembolic complications and metabolic disorders, the need to stop taking the drug cannot be completely excluded if:

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• visual disturbances such as vision loss, double vision, retinal vascular lesions, proptosis, papilledema

• thromboembolic venous or thrombotic complications, regardless of the site of the lesion;
• severe headache, migraine.

If amenorrhea occurs during treatment, pregnancy, which may be the cause of amenorrhea, should be confirmed or excluded.

special instructions

Treatment in recommended doses does not provide a contraceptive effect.

Due to the likelihood of metabolic disorders and thromboembolic complications, it is necessary to discontinue the drug if:

• visual impairment, including loss of vision, double vision, vascular lesions of the retina , papilledema , proptosis ;
• thrombotic or thromboembolic venous complications (regardless of which area is affected);
• high intensity headache, migraine .

Patients with a history of thrombophlebitis

The absence of menstruation during treatment with Utrozhestan requires testing to confirm or exclude pregnancy, which may be the cause of amenorrhea .

More than 50% of spontaneous abortions in early pregnancy are caused by genetic complications. In addition, mechanical disorders and infectious diseases . In such cases, the use of progesterone is justified only in cases where there is a delay in the expulsion of the fertilized egg.

Based on this, the prescription of Utrozhestan, on the recommendation of a gynecologist, should be provided for cases when a woman’s body produces an insufficient amount of progesterone .

Capsules should not be taken with food. The optimal time to take it is before bedtime. Simultaneous consumption of food increases the bioavailability of Utrozhestan.

Some women are interested in whether the drug affects hCG levels. Doctors say that Utrozhestan does not change the results of a blood test for hCG .

Utrozhestan is leaking - what to do?

All patients note that the drug leaks out when used intravaginally. The manufacturer and doctors say that this phenomenon is the norm. The appearance of oily discharge is associated with the dosage form of Utrozhestan and its composition, which contains fatty substances - vegetable oil and soy lecithin.

Some women worry that this may reduce the effectiveness of Utrozhestan. However, even here doctors rush to reassure, assuring that it is not the active substance that is leaking out, but only the capsule shell.

In some cases, when the drug is used several times a day, the doctor may recommend intravaginal administration only 1 time per day - before bedtime, and at other times - in the morning and afternoon - oral administration of capsules.

Utrozhestan and menstruation

Utrozhestan is prescribed for the correction of cycle disorders caused by a deficiency of endogenous progesterone , as well as for the correction of disorders caused by excessive production of estrogen .

A delay in menstruation while using the medication may indicate pregnancy. In this case, the woman must donate blood to determine the level of hCG or take a pregnancy test .

The situation when there are no periods after using the drug can also be a consequence of “blind” support for the 2nd phase of the cycle, when the time of ovulation is not taken into account.

For women planning a pregnancy, doctors recommend taking Utrozhestan not from the 16th day, but one day after ovulation.

Progesterone medications can be used to induce menstruation. Menstrual bleeding is caused by the withdrawal effect of Utrozhestan. The onset of menstruation usually occurs 2-10 days after stopping taking the capsules.

Which is better Utrozhestan or Duphaston?

The question of which drug is better cannot be answered unequivocally. When prescribing both Utrozhestan and Duphaston, the doctor must take into account the individual characteristics of the patient and the purpose of using the medicine. Both drugs do not affect body weight, as they do not lead to fluid retention in the body. This is a very important factor for a woman carrying a child. Medicines do not affect lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, that is, they do not provoke disruptions in metabolic processes.

It is also very important that the drugs do not increase blood pressure. But at the same time, most doctors agree that duphaston is safer during pregnancy, as it has fewer side effects. Unlike urozhestan, it does not cause:

• drowsiness,
• lethargy,
• fatigue,
• tendency to depression.

Duphaston has no toxic effect on the liver and is highly effective in IVF. The drug is considered safe, as confirmed by long-term studies. Utrozhestan is a new hormonal drug and its effect on the fetus has not been sufficiently studied, therefore in some European countries it is not prescribed to women when bearing a child. Although a significant advantage of this product is its release in the form of intravaginal suppositories, which is very important for maintaining pregnancy in the first trimester against the background of possible severe toxicosis.

Utrozhestan analogues - other progesterone-based products

Utrozhestan has analogues. It is interesting that among all these drugs there are no obviously cheap ones, that is, you will not be able to save significantly by taking an analogue. However, a substitute drug can help out if the main one is not on sale. Before taking an analogue, you should definitely consult a doctor!

Table: analogues of Utrozhestan and their features

Advantages of Utrozhestan

With low levels of progesterone in the female body, pregnancy becomes almost impossible. Hormone deficiency can be caused by various reasons: insufficiency of the luteal phase, the presence of diseases or pathologies, unstable emotional state, excessive physical activity and others.

Since the hormone plays a key role in conceiving a baby, it is necessary to increase its level to normal. In such cases, gestagenic drugs are often prescribed; among them, Utrozhestan is especially popular.

It is important to remember that you cannot make a decision on treatment with gestagen on your own; the medicine is prescribed only by the attending physician after an examination and identification of the exact cause of low progesterone levels.

However, according to progressive medicine, these are quite rare phenomena at the planning stage, and doctors often abuse this type of drug, attributing non-existent properties to them. In some cases, HRT is not at all effective; proper nutrition and an active lifestyle will bring much more benefit, for example, with low weight and lack of cholesterol in the blood.