Certain drugs are essential for increasing the likelihood of a successful IVF pregnancy. Utrozhestan is one of these drugs, and women are frequently prescribed it during this procedure.
Progesterone, a hormone necessary for sustaining a healthy pregnancy, is found in Utrozhestan. It serves to support early pregnancy and ready the uterus for embryo implantation.
A lot of people are curious about why Utrozhestan is required for IVF and when it’s okay to stop taking it. This article will describe what it does, when it’s usually prescribed, and when to stop taking it.
| Reason for prescribing Utrozhestan during IVF | When Utrozhestan is canceled during IVF |
| Supports the uterine lining to prepare for embryo implantation | Usually canceled in the early stages of pregnancy, around 12 weeks |
| Helps maintain optimal progesterone levels | Can be stopped if the pregnancy is not progressing or under a doctor’s guidance |
- About the drug
- The role of the drug in the IVF protocol
- How to take?
- When to cancel?
- Side effects
- Video on the topic
- 🔴 IVF. What determines the day of embryo transfer? How many embryos are best for transfer?
- What effect does progesterone support have
- Utrozhestan in IVF. Hormones and pregnancy.
- HOW TO CANCEL HORMONAL DRUGS AFTER THE IVF PROGRAM?
About the drug
"Utrozhestan" is a medication that falls under the hormonal agent category and contains progesterone. The female sex hormone progesterone is in charge of preserving and extending pregnancy. The medication is frequently used to treat habitual miscarriages and infertility linked to low levels of this substance in the body.
The product is available in capsule form, which can be administered vaginally or orally according to the directions. Since the progesterone in the medication is nearly identical to the hormone found in women, it is interpreted by the body in the most physiological manner.
Drug analogues known as "Duphaston" and "Prajisan" are also useful for treating conditions linked to a deficiency of progesterone in women’s bodies.
Because it contains progesterone, which is necessary for uterine preparation for embryo implantation and early pregnancy maintenance, trughestan is frequently prescribed during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to aid in pregnancy. Usually, it is stopped between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy, when the placenta starts producing progesterone on its own.
The role of the drug in the IVF protocol
This medication is prescribed during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to accomplish multiple objectives simultaneously, all of which are critical to the outcome. Since the beginning of a long-awaited pregnancy is the anticipated outcome, taking "Utrozhestan" can be advised at every stage of in vitro fertilization.
The medication is typically prescribed starting on the day of the gonadotropic hormone injection. About halfway through the protocol, following increased ovarian stimulation, the doctor uses ultrasonography to verify that the oocytes have matured to the appropriate size. The hCG hormone is given on this day, allowing the eggs to mature more quickly before being punctured. This takes place roughly 24 to 36 hours prior to the egg collection. It is advised to take Utrozhestan orally or vaginally (at the doctor’s discretion) as of right now.
Progesterone causes the endometrial layer to thicken and preserves the luteal phase of the cycle. All of the patient’s and doctors’ efforts in following this protocol will be in vain if the uterus’s functional inner layer is too thin at the time of embryo transfer, which could prevent implantation and prevent pregnancy.
Since women with various types of infertility typically have issues with endometrial thickness, Utrozhestan and its analogs are prescribed to nearly all first-time IVF patients.
The medication, or more specifically, the progesterone within it, relaxes the uterine muscles, assisting in preventing spontaneous hypertonicity, which can disrupt implantation and result in an early miscarriage. Additionally, "Utrozhestan" supports the preservation of the corpus luteum’s activity.
How to take?
As previously indicated, there are two ways to take the product: orally, by using the capsules as suppositories and washing them down with water. The exact direction of action is the main reason why people find the vaginal method more convenient.
Progesterone in the woman’s blood gradually rises if the capsule is placed correctly into the genital tract, almost like it would during a natural cycle. This has a more advantageous effect on the sex glands’ ability to function. Certain data indicate that the intravaginal method of use promotes more efficient and precise growth of the endometrium.
One benefit of the oral method is that it allows you to take the medication at any time or place. It is not required to perform the act of inserting the capsule into the vagina and retire to the toilet in order to accomplish this.
The doctor should establish the medication’s dosage and schedule based on the progesterone level of the patient as determined by the laboratory. The usual recommendation for oral use is two doses of 100 or 150 mg. The reproductologist has the option to increase the dosage.
The recommended daily dosage of the medication for vaginal use is typically between 300 and 600 mg. The capsules must be inserted up to three times per day. The first capsule is usually taken on days 14–15 of the stimulated cycle, and from days 15–25 it is advised to take 100 mg twice a day. If the tests reveal pregnancy starting on the 26th day of the cycle, the number and dosage are increased weekly.
It is usually advised to start taking 200 mg (up to 600 mg) on the day of the hCG injection and continue taking it until the end of the second trimester of pregnancy in order to support the lutein phase following oocyte puncture.
There are a few guidelines for using hormonal medications. Recall that "Utryzhtan" is the first treatment to begin. The capsules should ideally be taken in the morning and evening to allow for a 12-hour interval between doses. Eight hours should elapse between capsules if a three-time dose is recommended.
The medication should be taken at the same time each day; don’t freak out if you miss a dose. The following one must be taken precisely at the designated time, without deviating from the regular regimen.
You cannot, under any circumstances, adjust the dosage on your own. In the event that side effects arise, let your doctor know.
When to cancel?
A blood test for hCG should be performed on a woman two weeks following embryo transfer. It is customary to stop taking the medication right away if it indicates that there is no pregnancy. After a few days, menstruation begins.
Should tests and ultrasonography reveal a pregnancy, "Utrozhestan" cancellation is deemed unfavorable. After IVF, it is advised to provide the growing fetus with hormonal support for a considerable amount of time during pregnancy.
When given vaginally, the medication should typically be taken until the placenta fully assumes all responsibility for supplying the required hormones to gestation, as well as following the interval of increased risk of disruption. It is typically advised to take it before 24-28 weeks. At the conclusion of the first trimester, Utrozhestan, when taken orally, may be discontinued at the doctor’s discretion.
The medication should be stopped gradually; the doctor will gradually lower the dosage until the patient has no more to take. Hormonal shock and miscarriage are likely outcomes of abruptly stopping the capsules.
Although minor bloody "smearing" may still occur if the medication is stopped correctly and in accordance with the plan, this is thought to be a variation of the physiological norm if the discharge stops in a few days.
Side effects
Mood swings are common in women who take Utrozhestan during the IVF treatment protocol. One of the most typical side effects of progesterone is thought to be its effect on the central nervous system. She might feel anxious, depressed, or irritated without cause.
Many experience a rise in body temperature without any accompanying symptoms of illness or cold. Headaches and drowsiness are common complaints. In varying degrees, almost everyone has bloating, which is similar to increased flatulence, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea.
Less frequently, a woman may have erythema and urticaria from allergies, acne, and swings in body weight.
Utrozhestan is essential to the early phases of IVF pregnancy because it keeps the uterine lining healthy and ready for the implantation of the embryo.
Depending on the patient’s needs, doctors typically prescribe Utrozhestan during the luteal phase and continue to use it for a few weeks following a positive pregnancy test.
It’s critical to heed your doctor’s advice regarding when to stop taking the medication, as it will be modified in accordance with your condition and progress.
