Progesterone for IVF

Hi ladies. I have to order my progesterone for my IVF cycle this week. I'm on the pill right now and think I start meds on January 20. My IVF nurse told me it was PIO. I've done countless rounds of suppositories during my IUIs and would really prefer to do that. I'm a single mom and heard it's really difficult to give yourself the PIO. You ladies are so knowledgeable, I thought I heard that studies are not showing a difference btwn PIO and supposities. Does anyone have info on that? What are your RE's saying about it? Any insight is greatly appreciated!!

Progesterone for IVF

I did PIO with my successful IVF. My husband was away for 2 weeks and I was on PIO until 12 weeks pregnant so I had to give it to myself. Its not easy but I did it. I had to talk myself into it many of those nights. The needle is long and blunt. It is possible tl give it to yourself as long as you are in the right position. Different REs have different theories on what type of Progesterone is needed for IVF.

Good luck and you rock for being a single mom! I know its not easy (my mom was a single mom) and then dealing with IVF etc is tough.

Re: Progesterone for IVF

I think people prefer PIO because it's cleaner. And also, it shows up in your blood work, so it's easier to monitor if your progesterone levels are high enough to sustain a pregnancy. I'd talk to your RE about your concerns and see what s/he recommends.

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Re: Progesterone for IVF

my RE doesnt do the PIO, or rather prefers the suppositories. and honestly thats fine for me. Im bruised and battered from injections 4x a day. im running out of room. the last thing I want is for my ass to hurt too..lol.

I dont think there is much of a difference though between PIO and suppositories effectiveness. ask your RE if you can switch,.

Re: Progesterone for IVF

I was on both, but my RE switched me to PIO when I started bleeding and had a 50/50 chance to miscarry. I was able to do the PIO on my own when I was alone. It wasn't bad. Good luck!

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Thanks ladies. I'll have to talk with my nurse about it. Everything goes through the nurses which is a little annoying. I haven't seen my dr since the consult appt in April which I find a little strange that you NEVER see a dr. I guess I don't mind the PIO in the beginning btwn retrieval and transfer but long term I don't want to be on it. I'll take the suppositories. Anyone I know who was on the PIO for the first trimester HATED it and complained how painful it was. Thanks for all your input.

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Thanks babydreams21. The four unsuccessful IUIs were hard to deal with alone, especially the last two. This is the last shot I have to give my son a sibling (same donor). Hoping IVF gives me my miracle baby!

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Progesterone for IVF

I was just thinking of you today, hope you are doing well!! Good Luck!!!

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Thanks everyone. I just got my list of meds emailed to me yesterday and on it was the progesterone vaginal caps so it looks like I'm not doing PIO. The first time I met with my nurse she had told me it was PIO. I had emailed her two weeks ago about wanting to switch to suppositories after a positive pregnancy test. She didn't answer me about that so I thought we would cross that bridge when and if we come to it. I was surprised to see the med order yesterday and emailed her about it. I'm waiting for a response back but looks like I'll be doing the suppositories.

I start stim meds next Wednesday, the 20th. I'm excited but part of me is excited for a baby and the other part of me is also looking forward to this chapter coming to an end. I feel like I'm in limbo on this infertility train and soon I won't be in limbo anymore. Hopefully I'll be waiting for a baby to arrive but I know I May be learning to accept and moving on from this dream (though I'm hopeful that if it doesn't work I'll have some frozen embryos). :
I'll be updating everyone once things are underway!! Everyone's support and knowledge is something that is invaluable even when I was just reading people's questions and responses and not posting much. to everyone for that!

Re: Progesterone for IVF

wishinb you tons of luck!

Re: Progesterone for IVF

Posted by NYCGirl80

Posted by YOLO13

Posted by jess237

Thanks ladies. I'll have to talk with my nurse about it. Everything goes through the nurses which is a little annoying. I haven't seen my dr since the consult appt in April which I find a little strange that you NEVER see a dr. I guess I don't mind the PIO in the beginning btwn retrieval and transfer but long term I don't want to be on it. I'll take the suppositories. Anyone I know who was on the PIO for the first trimester HATED it and complained how painful it was. Thanks for all your input.

I did PIO for ivf and for my entire pregnancy. They are different ---completely different compounds.

The one used for Ivf is in a much thinner oil then for pregnancy. It's easier to inject and it's used because it yields a better result for your eggs to grow at the same rate throughout your cycle vs the suppositories that are used after your transfer. Speak to your doctor. You can tell the nurse you want to speak to him directly and he should be able to explain this to you.

Neither is painful if it's injected in the right area.

PIO is used after retrieval and has no bearing on your egg growth during your cycle...since your eggs have already been retrieved when you start it.