Why do Duphaston is often prescribed from the 16th to the 25th day of the cycle when planning pregnancy? Reviews and instructions for use

Conception of the child and the normal gestation of the fetus is impossible without certain conditions, one of which is a sufficient amount of progesterone. Such a hormone is normally produced in the second half of the menstrual cycle and prepares the woman's uterus for pregnancy.

If there is not enough of it or it is completely absent, the fertilized egg cannot be fixed, and a miscarriage begins. In such situations, women who wish to preserve a pregnancy are prescribed special medications, including Duphaston. What is this medicine, why is it most often recommended to use it when planning pregnancy from the 16th to the 25th day of the cycle, according to which scheme is it used and which analogs can it be replaced with?

The drug is represented by convex round tablets coated with a white shell. On one side of the medication there is a risk. The drug is placed in blisters of 14 or 20 pieces, and one pack contains from 20 to 112 tablets. In such forms as vaginal suppositories, gel, capsules or ampoules for injection, Duphaston is not available.

The main component of Duphaston called didprogesterone. Its amount in each tablet is 10 mg. Magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate and hypromellose, as well as silicon dioxide and corn starch are added to this synthetic substance. Such ingredients create a dense core tablet, and for the manufacture of the shell of the drug using polyethylene glycol 400, hypromellose and titanium dioxide.

The active component of Duphaston (didprogesterone) is similar to natural progesterone. It is similar to the hormone produced by the corpus luteum by its molecular structure, as well as its pharmacological and chemical properties. However, since this substance is not classified as a derivative of testosterone, it does not produce side effects characteristic of synthetic progestogens. In addition, Duphaston lacks anabolic, androgenic, thermogenic, glucocorticosteroid and estrogenic activity.

When taken orally, the drug selectively affects the endometrium. However, it does not suppress ovulation and does not violate the menstrual cycle.

Duphaston is used in women who have a deficiency of progesterone. Tablets are prescribed:

• with infertility caused by luteal insufficiency;
• at miscarriage or at its threat, if it is associated with a drop in the level of progesterone;
• with endometriosis;
• with irregular menstrual cycle;
• with premenstrual syndrome;
• with dysfunctional bleeding from the uterus;
• with secondary amenorrhea.

In addition, the drug is discharged and hormone replacement treatment to neutralize the negative effects of estrogen.

Duphaston is forbidden to drink to women who have hypersensitivity to any of the components of the tablets or have serious liver diseases.The drug is also contraindicated in malabsorption syndrome, galactose intolerance or lactase deficiency.

In some women, Duphaston treatment provokes a headache, an allergic reaction, a migraine, an abnormal liver. In rare cases, the drug caused hemolytic anemia, uterine bleeding, increased sensitivity of the mammary glands and peripheral edema.

Duphaston tablets are swallowed with water. A single dose of the drug is usually 1 tablet, and the regimen depends on the diagnosis. For example, if a woman has been diagnosed with infertility, then the medication should be taken from day 14 to day 25 of the cycle once a day. Such treatment is carried out continuously for several menstrual cycles in a row (at least six) and continue in the first trimester of pregnancy or even longer.

If a woman becomes pregnant and is threatened with an abortion, it is recommended to take 4 tablets once, and then drink one tablet every 8 hours until the symptoms completely disappear.

In the case of the usual abortion, Duphaston administration is started in advance and they take the pill twice a day until the 20th week of pregnancy, and then cancel it with a gradual decrease in dose.

For irregular menstruation or to prevent dysfunctional bleeding, the drug is prescribed from 11 to 25 days of the cycle, 1 tablet twice a day.

There were no cases of hospitalization due to excess dosage of Duphaston. If a woman accidentally drinks more pills, it is recommended to wash the stomach. When the deterioration of the general condition should consult a doctor.

The manufacturer does not mention the incompatibility of Duphaston with any other drugs. However, some drugs that affect the liver (for example, rifampicin or phenobarbital) can also affect the metabolic transformations of didrogesterone, which will reduce its effect.

You can buy Duphaston in a pharmacy by prescription, paying for an average of 500-550 rubles for 20 tablets.

The shelf life of the drug - 5 years. If it has expired, the use of the drug is contraindicated. Store tablets recommended in a dry place where the temperature does not rise above +30 degrees.

On the use of Duphaston in planning pregnancy and other indications speak mostly well. Women in most cases praise these hormonal pills and confirm their positive effect on the ability to maintain pregnancy and safely carry the baby.

According to them, The drug is tolerated normally, does not provoke weight gain, mood changes, weakness and other negative effects. The disadvantages of such a tool are often not noted. Only occasionally women complain about its high price, but many consider it to be justified.

For more information about the influence of duphaston when planning pregnancy, see the following video.

The most popular analogue of Duphaston is a drug called Utrozhestan. Both drugs can replace the missing progesterone, thereby supporting conception and prevent miscarriage in the first trimester.

In addition, both medications in pregnancy planning are prescribed after ovulation. With a cycle duration of 28 days, the most common pattern is from 16 to 25 days. If the pregnancy has come, both Duphaston and Utrozhestan continue to be taken up to 7–8 weeks or longer, and then they are carefully canceled with a decrease in dosage for several days.

However, these drugs have certain differences:

• Utrogestan contains micronized progesterone, and the main component of Duphaston only resembles this hormone in its structure, although it acts in the same way.
• Differences in composition cause different side effects of drugs - if Utrogestan can provoke lethargy, fatigue, bad mood, drowsiness and similar symptoms, then taking Duphaston does not cause them.
• Production of Duphaston began much earlier than the manufacture of Utrogestan, so this drug is more studied and has passed much more clinical trials.
• Duphaston has no effect on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, this medicine has a much smaller list of contraindications.
• Urozhestan is represented by capsules that can be used in two ways, and Duphaston is produced only in the form of tablets, which are prescribed orally. If a pregnant woman has severe toxicosis, Utrozhestan is more suitable for her, because it can be inserted into the vagina, and this will not affect the general condition of the patient.
• The cost of Duphaston is slightly higher than the Utrogestan capsules, which is sometimes a reason to prefer the second drug.

Both drugs receive positive feedback from patients and doctors, so it’s impossible to say that one of them is better than the other. Determining which tool is more appropriate for a particular woman is difficult. It is best to entrust such a choice to the attending physician, who will first examine the expectant mother, and then send her to the necessary laboratory tests.