Although conception, pregnancy, and birth are natural events, some women experience a great amount of difficulty conceiving. When these women visit their doctor to request fertility advice the doctor may choose to write a prescription for Progesterone, taken orally or through suppository, to assist with the female hormones that are necessary for fertility and successful conception.
Progesterone is one of the main reproductive hormones in females. Progesterone is produced from the corpus luteum after ovulation to assist in the preparation for the fetus when the ovum has been fertilized. Sometimes the corpus luteum, which is an endocrine body created by the release of an egg from the ovary, does not perform as expected and production of progesterone is either insufficient or nonexistent. There are solutions to this dilemma, and one popular choice is the prescription progesterone suppository. There are various brand names available and all of them do essentially the same thing. The suppository will enable the woman who is trying to conceive to absorb the hormone into their body so that the artificial progesterone will help with the build up and formation of the endometrium for the impending implantation of the fertilized egg.
Simply put, to administer the progesterone suppository one must be inserted via the vaginal cavity (or the anal cavity if there is a vaginal infection) twice a day for fifteen to seventeen days before menstruation commences. It is sometimes recommended for those getting the suppository to request the fatty acid base to help with the administration. Insertion of the suppository will enable the uterus to collect the progesterone in the event of fertilization of a released egg. If the egg is not fertilized and attached to the uterine wall then the body will go through the regular menstrual cycle as usual.
Side effects of using a progesterone suppository are fewer than if taking a progesterone supplement orally because it does not pass through the liver. Some effects of the suppository can include leakage via the vaginal cavity once the base has begun to dissolve or a reduced effectiveness due to the inability to accurately measure how much progesterone actually gets absorbed into the uterus. If inserted rectally there have been reports of stimulation of bowel movements. Other reported side effects include hot flashes, abdominal discomfort, vision problems, cyst formation, abdominal uterine bleeding, nausea and vomiting. There are rare occurrences where the patient has experienced hair loss or ovarial hyperstimulation syndrome. There has been no scientific link between the use of a progesterone suppository and breast or ovarian cancer. A sometimes positive side effect is the increased chance of multiples, twins, triplets or even more.
Not all pharmacies carry the suppository form of progesterone. They create the compound progesterone within their facilities and the dosing is not always accurate. Progesterone is integrated into the suppository using a wax or fatty acid base. Either method produces the same results. After insertion the wax or fatty acids warm up with the body temperature and release the progesterone into the system. It is important to be aware that you need prescription to obtain any hormone treatment.
Progesterone suppositories, prescribed by a physician, are safe and efficient, ehancing the ability of a woman to conceive and produce a healthy and full-term baby. The side effects are most of the time mild or very rare, and do not deter those who wish to have a baby from obtaining their goal. It is always important to keep in contact with your physician when taking any hormone treatment in order to ensure that you and your future baby are getting the most effective care.
