When there is a lack of progesterone in the female body, the dream of motherhood may remain unfulfilled if measures are not taken in time. Fortunately, thanks to modern pharmacology, reproductive medicine has an impressive arsenal of medications to solve this problem. Women whose infertility is caused by hormonal imbalance are often recommended to take Utrozhestan when planning pregnancy.
Features of the drug
The choice of gynecologists in favor of Utrozhestan is more than justified: its action is ensured by the active component - a natural micronized hormone.
The substance is a secretion product of the corpus luteum (a temporary gland formed after conception). After penetration into the body, the substance has several effects on the reproductive system:
Replenishes the lack of endogenous progesterone in the body, making possible biochemical processes that prepare the conditions for successful conception and maintenance of pregnancy.
- Stimulates the secretory function of the endometrium, as a result the layer grows to the required thickness, at which implantation of the fertilized egg occurs, and then its life support and development are maintained at the required level.
- Progesterone reduces the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the uterus to the effects of another hormone, oxytocin. This neutralizes the contractile function of the smooth muscles of the uterus, which prevents its rejection as a foreign element and ensures the preservation of pregnancy.
- A normal level of progesterone stimulates the preparation of the mammary glands to produce first colostrum, and then milk, its secretion.
- The hormone promotes the deposition of fat in the body, which is necessary to ensure the proper development of pregnancy.
- Controls blood glucose and “good” cholesterol.
Does Utrozhestan suppress ovulation?
Despite its beneficial effect on the state of the female reproductive system and ensuring the safety of pregnancy, progesterone can also counteract it. This effect is explained by the fact that the hormone in small doses helps to increase, and in high doses, suppresses factors that promote the release of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones and, consequently, their production by the pituitary gland, as well as suppression of ovulation.
Therefore, the specifics of treatment - how to take Utrozhestan for a woman to become pregnant - should be determined by the treating specialist.
Dosage forms and indications for use
The drug is produced in the form of capsules, which can be used both for oral and intravaginal use. The product is produced with different levels of the hormone: 100 and 200 mg in one pill.
Utrozhestan helps to get pregnant in cases where the cause of infertility is correctly diagnosed, namely the lack of the necessary progesterone levels. As a result of hormone deficiency, the reproductive system cannot properly prepare for conception or maintain pregnancy. Therefore, the drug is prescribed to women in the following cases:
Oral administration:
- For diagnosed infertility due to insufficient luteinization
- With severe PMS
- If there are ovulation disorders or its absence
- For FC mastopathy
- If there is a threat of miscarriage, habitual or threatened miscarriages.
Intravaginal use:
- Prevention of preterm birth in women who have a short cervix or if they are predisposed to giving birth prematurely
- To prevent early rupture of fetal membranes
- Ensuring the luteal phase in preparation for IVF
- Treatment of infertility caused by insufficient luteinization
- For threatened or habitual abortions/miscarriages caused by progesterone deficiency.
Analogs
The following medications are analogues of Iprozhin:
"Prajisan" is a hormonal medication containing progesterone. The drug is used for luteal insufficiency. Progesterone is a hormone of the corpus luteum; as a result of its action, the uterine mucosa moves into the secretory phase from the proliferation phase.
"Utrozhestan" is a medicinal product containing progesterone, a natural hormone. Most often, the medication is used by pregnant women to avoid miscarriage and premature birth. In addition, the drug is effective during premenopause and menopause, when complex hormone replacement therapy is needed in combination with estrogens to eliminate menopausal syndrome.
"Progestogel" is a gestagen for external use. The active component of the drug is progesterone. The action of this hormone is to block estrogen receptors. As a result, the absorption of fluid from tissues improves, and compression of the milk ducts decreases. Prolactin receptors in the tissues of the mammary glands are blocked, lactopoiesis is reduced.
"Krinon" - the effect of the drug leads to contractility of the muscles of the fallopian tubes and uterus, and also reduces excitability well.
- Supports the luteal phase during the use of assisted reproductive methods.
- Used in cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, secondary amenorrhea, which manifests itself due to progesterone deficiency.
- When is hormone replacement therapy needed?
Application schemes
There is no single treatment regimen with the drug, so how to take Utrozhestan when planning a pregnancy depends on the reasons that provoked the problem. Self-medication is extremely undesirable, since there are many subtleties of administration that only an experienced specialist can take into account.
Taking capsules orally
It is advisable to take the pills after meals with a small amount of water.
- Therapy for progesterone deficiency: usually prescribed 200-300 mg of drugs in two doses.
- Elimination of insufficient luteinization (PMS, FC mastopathy, dysmenorrhea) is carried out by prescribing from 200 to 400 mg per day. The recommended duration of therapy is 10 days. Treatment is indicated during the period 17-26 days of MC.
Scheme of intravaginal use
It is recommended to insert capsules before going to bed so that you don’t have to get up later. If the procedure is carried out during the day, then after administering the drug, the woman must lie down for half an hour to ensure complete penetration of the medicine.
To better penetrate the capsule to its maximum depth, it is recommended to moisten it with water or insert it using an applicator.
- To prevent miscarriage: Utrozhestan is prescribed at 22-24 weeks. It is recommended to administer one capsule daily until the risk of miscarriage is completely eliminated.
- Elimination of infertility due to progesterone deficiency is carried out in combination with estrogen-containing drugs. Utrozhestan capsules are recommended to be administered depending on the days of the MC:
From the 13-14th day of the menstrual cycle: every day one piece (200 mg)
From 15 (16) to 25 days of the cycle: 100 mg twice a day
From day 25 and after conception, HF is increased by 100 mg per week. After reaching the maximum value (600 mg), the daily amount is distributed into three procedures per day. Therapy with maximum doses is allowed for two months.
- When preparing the body for IVF: after injection of hCG, 200 to 600 mg per day is prescribed. After confirmation of implantation, capsules are continued to be inserted into the vagina for another 1 and 2 trimesters.
- Treatment of infertility due to dysfunction of the corpus luteum: a 10-day course is recommended from the 17th day of the menstrual cycle. Usually the daily amount is 200-300 mg of drugs.
- Prevention of miscarriage is carried out in the 1st and 2nd stages of pregnancy. Recommended HF is 200-400 mg in two divided doses. Therapy is carried out until the threat of miscarriage is completely eliminated.
After achieving positive results of Utrozhestan therapy, the drug is discontinued. In order not to cause a negative reaction from the body, the daily dosage is gradually reduced, gradually tapering off.
Side effects
The drug has proven itself, as it is usually well tolerated. This has been repeatedly noted by those who have been helped by Utrozhestan to get rid of infertility or gynecological problems. But, like any drug, it can also cause unwanted side effects.
Most often, women note after oral treatment:
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
- Gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting, nausea, bowel movements)
- Individual manifestations of allergies, rash, chloasma
- Intrahepatic cholestasis
- Violation of the MC.
Intravaginal treatment is better tolerated and almost does not cause drowsiness or dizziness. But it is noted that there is pain or discomfort at the injection site, and minor manifestations of allergies.
Iprozhin or Utrozhestan - which is better?
Utrozhestan is considered the main analogue of Iprozhin. And many women don't know which one is better. In fact, these drugs are almost identical in their composition and pharmacological properties. But you shouldn’t choose between them on your own. It is better to listen to your doctor, who will select the most suitable medicine for his patient. It is necessary to change it to an analogue only if any side effects appear. Many people replace them just to save money, but the difference is not that great. Therefore, it is better to take exactly what your doctor has prescribed.
Who should not take the drug
Whether Utrozhestan helps or not when planning a child - it all depends on the correct diagnosis of the causes of infertility and compliance with the rules of treatment. An important factor is also strict adherence to the instructions to whom the drug should not be used. It is prohibited for use:
- If the body is highly sensitive to the components of the drug
- If there are thromboses, a predisposition to them, thromboembolic disorders (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism)
- If you have a cerebral hemorrhage or have had one in the past
- For vaginal bleeding, the cause of which has not been definitively determined
- If the patient has porphyrin disease
- After an incomplete abortion.
Utrozhestan can also cause complications if it is prescribed to a patient with breast or genital cancer.
Knowing and following the specifics of how to drink Utrozhestan correctly when planning a pregnancy helps to achieve a guaranteed result. Thanks to him, one of the problems of infertility, which previously could not be treated, is not considered insoluble today. The drug copes well with complications caused by progesterone deficiency and helps make the dream of motherhood come true.
Contraindications and possible side effects
Despite the fact that Duphaston consists, as it may seem at first glance, of hormones familiar to the female body, it is still not recommended for some categories of expectant mothers to take it in order to avoid complications and unpleasant consequences.
Contraindications to the use of the drug:
- hypersensitivity to the constituent components of the drug;
- bleeding from the vagina of unknown origin;
- Dabin-Johnson syndrome and Rotor syndrome, which are characterized as hereditary genetic diseases similar in symptoms to jaundice;
- breastfeeding period.
Side effects as a result of using Duphaston are very rare. The main reasons for their occurrence: non-compliance with the dosage and a tendency to allergic reactions.
Side effects:
- itching, burning and redness of the skin;
- pain in the peritoneum;
- vaginal bleeding other than menstrual bleeding;
- headache, weakness and drowsiness.
Some experts believe that taking hormonal drugs during pregnancy is one of the main reasons for the birth of premature, low-birth-weight babies. Moreover, this can cause placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxia.
If the above symptoms appear, you should stop taking this medication and consult a doctor. Treatment of side effects is symptomatic, since a special neutralizing medication that can “eliminate” these consequences has not been identified.
Taking Duphaston does not in any way affect the duration of the menstrual cycle, as well as the abundance of menstrual flow.
