PROGESTERONE SUPPORT MEDICINES
Progesterone plays a vital role in preparing your womb for embryo implantation and supporting early pregnancy. As part of your treatment, you may be prescribed one of several forms of progesterone.
Progesterone medicines used in fertility treatment
Here we’ve outlined the different progesterone medicines you may be prescribed. Each section explains what it’s for, how to use it, possible side effects, and when to contact us if something doesn’t feel right.
The progesterone medicine prescribed for you will depend on your individual treatment plan and medicine availability. Always use your medicine exactly as directed by your Care Fertility team and as shown in your treatment companion app, Salve. Information about recently used medicines may remain on this page for patients who are completing an existing course of treatment.
If anything is unclear, or you’re worried about how you’re feeling, our team is always here to help.
Prometrium
Active ingredient: Micronized progesterone
Available form: Pessaries
Prometrium contains micronised progesterone in a soft vaginal capsule. Progesterone may be prescribed as part of your individual treatment plan to support the lining of the womb and early pregnancy.
Important information:
Prometrium contains soya lecithin. Do not use it if you are allergic to soya or peanuts. Tell your Care Fertility team before using it if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver problems, a history of blood clots, breast or genital cancer, porphyria, or any other condition listed in the patient information leaflet.
Store Prometrium as instructed on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet, and keep it out of the sight and reach of children.
Insert the capsule vaginally at the dose and times shown in your treatment companion app, Salve. Use Prometrium exactly as directed by your Care Fertility team. Do not stop or change your treatment unless your clinic advises you to do so.
Like all medicines, Prometrium can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Vaginal discharge or leakage may occur after insertion. Other effects can include tiredness or dizziness. Please read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine for the full list of side effects and safety information.
Utrogestan
Active ingredient: Micronized progesterone
Available form: Capsules (used vaginally)
Utrogestan helps prepare the womb lining for embryo implantation and supports early pregnancy. Progesterone support is continued for a number of weeks following a positive pregnancy test.
Important information:
Utrogestan contains soya lecithin. Do not use it if you are allergic to soya or peanuts.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from heat and direct sunlight. Always store in the original packaging.
Insert the capsule vaginally at the dose shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
Like all medicines, Utrogestan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects include: abdominal pain or swelling, constipation, dizziness, and tiredness. Some people may experience pre‑menstrual‑type symptoms such as breast tenderness or mood changes.
See the patient leaflet in your pack for the full list of possible side effects.
Dispose of the empty outer packaging in household waste/recycling.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused medication to your pharmacy or Care Fertility clinic.
Cyclogest
Active ingredient: Micronized progesterone
Available form: Pessaries
Cyclogest supports the womb lining in preparation for embryo implantation and is continued for a number of weeks after a positive pregnancy test.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from heat and direct sunlight. Always store in the original packaging.
Insert the pessary vaginally or rectally at the dose shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
Like all medicines, Cyclogest can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects include: abdominal swelling, pain, constipation, sleepiness, tiredness, and hot flushes. Some people may also experience weight changes, mood swings, or breast discomfort. Rarely, allergic reactions such as an itchy rash may occur.
See the patient leaflet in your pack for the full list of possible side effects.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused medication to your pharmacy or Care Fertility clinic.
Lubion
Active ingredient: Progesterone
Available form: Subcutaneous injection (5mg/1.1ml vials)
Lubion is a progesterone injection given under the skin to support implantation and early pregnancy. Progesterone support is continued for a number of weeks following a positive pregnancy test.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from heat and direct sunlight. Always store in the original packaging.
Inject subcutaneously at the time and dose shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
Very common: Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, uterine spasm, vaginal bleeding.
Common: Headache, bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, breast discomfort, vaginal discharge, skin irritation, bruising, and fatigue.
Rarely, depression, jaundice, or severe allergic reactions may occur.
See the patient leaflet in your pack for the full list of possible side effects.
Gestone
Active ingredient: Micronized progesterone
Available form: Subcutaneous injection (100mg/2ml ampoule)
Gestone contains progesterone 50 mg/ml. Each 2 ml ampoule contains 100 mg of progesterone. It is an oily solution given by intramuscular injection and may be prescribed in selected cases as part of IVF treatment to support implantation and early pregnancy.
Important information:
Gestone contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause allergic reactions. Tell your Care Fertility team before using it if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, a history of blood clots or thrombophlebitis, breast or genital cancer, porphyria, migraine, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, or heart or kidney problems.
Store Gestone as instructed on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet, and keep it out of the sight and reach of children
Gestone must be given by deep intramuscular injection into the buttock. Use the dose and schedule shown in your treatment companion app, Salve. Your Care Fertility team will explain how the injection should be prepared and administered. Do not inject it into the thigh or upper arm, and do not change or stop treatment unless your clinic advises you to do so.
Like all medicines, Gestone can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The frequency of the listed side effects is not known. These may include injection-site reactions, nausea, fluid retention or swelling, fever, allergic reactions, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, low mood, sleepiness, changes in vaginal bleeding or discharge, breast changes, acne, hair loss, increased hair growth, skin discolouration or rash. Please read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine for the full list.
When to contact us
- Contact your clinic if an injection site becomes increasingly painful, red, swollen, hard, hot or starts to discharge, or if any side effect is severe, persistent or worrying.
- Seek urgent medical help for signs of a serious allergic reaction, sudden visual disturbance, severe new migraine-type headache, chest pain, breathlessness, or a painful swollen leg.
Crinone gel
Active ingredient: Progesterone
Available form: 8% vaginal gel
Crinone helps prepare the womb lining for implantation and supports early pregnancy. Progesterone support is continued for a number of weeks following a positive pregnancy test.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from heat and direct sunlight. Always store in the original packaging.
Apply vaginally as directed in your treatment companion app, Salve.
Click here to see a video explaining how to use the gel.
Headache, drowsiness, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, itching or burning. Some people may experience spotting or local irritation.
See the patient leaflet in your pack for the full list of possible side effects.
Dispose of the empty outer packaging in household waste/recycling.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused medication to your pharmacy or Care Fertility clinic.
Prontogest
Active ingredient: Progesterone
Available form: Intramuscular injection (100mg/ml ampoules)
Prontogest is an intramuscular progesterone injection used to support the womb lining and early pregnancy. Progesterone support is continued for a number of weeks following a positive pregnancy test.
Please note:
Prontogest remains listed for patients who have already been prescribed this medicine and may still be completing treatment using existing supplies. New treatment plans may use a different progesterone medicine. Continue to use Prontogest exactly as directed by your Care Fertility team and in Salve. Do not switch medicines or change your dose without speaking to your clinic.
Prontogest is not licensed in the UK. Your doctor may recommend it if they believe the benefits outweigh the risks.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from heat and direct sunlight. Always store in the original packaging.
Prontogest is injected intramuscularly at the dose instructed in your treatment companion app, Salve.
Like all medicines, Prontogest can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects may include: pain or swelling at the injection site, breast tenderness, headache, weight changes, acne, nausea, or drowsiness. Rarely, increased facial/body hair or scalp hair loss.
See the patient leaflet in your pack for the full list of possible side effects.
Dispose of ampoules, needles, and syringes in the sharps bin provided. A full sharps bin must be sealed, signed, and returned to the unit for disposal.
Feel supported
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