Utrozhestan when planning pregnancy: instructions for use and reviews

The fusion of the spermatozoon and the egg cell does not always end in a desired pregnancy, since the fertilized egg must be in favorable conditions in order to successfully consolidate in the uterus and develop normally. One of these conditions is a certain level of progesterone hormone, so if the corpus luteum does not produce it or the amount of this hormone is insufficient, pregnancy does not occur.

To eliminate this problem, doctors often prescribe Utrozhestan. How does it affect the female body and how is it correctly taken when planning a pregnancy?

Urozhestan is made in the form of gelatinous soft capsules, which contain whitish homogeneous oily suspension. The color of these capsules is yellow, and the form depends on the dosage - round capsules are produced with a smaller amount of the active ingredient, and the preparation with a higher dosage has an oval shape.

The number of capsules in a pack is also different - if the dosage is lower, then the package contains 28 capsules in blisters of 14 pieces each, and medicine with a higher hormone content sells 14 pieces in a pack of blisters of 7 capsules.

The main ingredient of Utrozhestan is micronized progesterone in a dosage of 100 mg or 200 mg. Auxiliary components are soy lecithin and sunflower oil, and glycerol, titanium dioxide and gelatin are used to make the capsule shell.

Progesterone, which is the basis of Utrozhestan, is called one of the most important hormones for the normal course of pregnancy. Such a substance has many properties, it is:

• reduces the contractility of the muscles of the uterus and fallopian tubes;
• provides such changes of the endometrium, so that the wall of the uterus receives the ovum (prevents abortion during the implantation stage);
• regulates the menstrual cycle (with hormone deficiency, there are delays in menstruation);
• affects the metabolic processes that are important for carrying a baby;
• prevents endometriosis, normalizing the condition of the endometrium;
• affects breast changes and is important for lactation.

Normally, progesterone should produce a corpus luteum, which is active in the second phase of the menstrual cycle.

The main reason for prescribing Utrozhestan is the lack of progesterone in the woman’s body. When planning a pregnancy drug is used:

• If in the body of a woman in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the level of progesterone asymptomatically decreases. This situation prevents conception and is dangerous if the pregnancy has occurred.
• If a woman is diagnosed with infertility, the cause of which is luteal insufficiency.
• If a woman has a miscarriage caused by a decrease in progesterone levels in the first weeks after conception.

In addition, the medication is prescribed in other cases, for example, in case of fibrocystic mastopathy, premature menopause, preparation for IVF or egg donation.

Utrozhestan can not take women with:

• thrombophlebitis, thromboembolic disorders, deep vein thrombosis or intracranial bleeding;
• bleeding from the vagina, the cause of which is not established;
• incomplete abortion;
• porphyria;
• suspicion of a malignant tumor in the genitals or mammary gland, as well as its detection;
• severe liver disease or serious illness of this organ in the past;
• hypersensitivity to progesterone or any additional component of the capsules.

In addition, the drug should not be drunk or inserted into the vagina during breastfeeding and girls under 18 years of age.

Some women who take Utrozhestan orally, have a headache, bloating. Occasionally the medication provokes an allergic reaction (due to the presence of soy lecithin in the composition), drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, changes in stool, jaundice. In very rare cases, oral medication causes nausea or depression.

To eliminate such negative reactions, the doctor may reduce the dosage or suggest the patient to switch to vaginal use. With this method, the side effect is much less common and occurs only when intolerance (it is represented by itching, burning or redness).

If you begin to drink Utrozhestan before ovulation, the cycle may be shortened or bleeding will appear. The use of the drug from the 4th month of pregnancy (in the second and third trimesters) sometimes provokes cholestasis, so use from the 13th week should be monitored by a gynecologist when prescribing additional examinations.

After discontinuation of the medication, reddish or brown discharge may occur. They are often moderate or scarce and are considered a normal reaction to discontinuation of progesterone. Such discharge should disappear 5-10 days after capsule withdrawal.

Urozhestan depending on the diagnosis can be administered in a dose of 200 to 600 mg per day. The dosage of capsules required for a particular patient is selected by the attending physician.

The drug is used either at night or twice a day (in the morning and before bedtime). Capsules should not be swallowed with food, as this will increase the absorption of progesterone.

The drug is taken in two ways:

1. Swallow without biting. It is recommended to do this 15-20 minutes before meals. Swallow the capsule with clean water.
2. Injected into the vagina as a candle. With this use, the drug must be injected deep, and after that it is necessary to lie down for about 40-60 minutes.

Take medication after ovulation. The most common regimen for pregnancy planning is from the 16th to the 25th day of the cycle. However, with a non-standard duration of the menstrual cycle (for example, if ovulation is late), as well as for other reasons for use, the scheme will be different.

Removal of the drug is carried out very carefully and under the supervision of a physician. To do this, it is important to verify the absence of conception by making highly sensitive tests or donating blood to determine the level of hCG.

If the dosage of Utrozhestan is chosen incorrectly and is too high for a woman, the drug causes dizziness and drowsiness (with such symptoms, the daily dose is reduced), a decrease in the duration of the menstrual cycle and the appearance of bloody discharge (in this situation, the beginning of the transfer is postponed to a later date, on the 18th or 19th day).

Urozhestan is not recommended to be taken by mouth simultaneously with many other medicines, for example, with barbiturates, penicillin antibiotics, anticoagulants or diuretics.

If a woman planning a pregnancy drinks any medications, it is necessary to take this into account when prescribing Utrozhestan.

To purchase capsules at a pharmacy, you need a prescription from your doctor. The average price of one package of Utrozhestan is in the range of 400-450 rubles.

Store the drug at home need at a temperature below 25 degrees. Shelf life of capsules - 3 years.

About the use of Utrozhestan speak mostly positively, calling it an effective and affordable drug. Both doctors and patients confirm that this drug helps to get pregnant, reduce the risk of interruption and successfully carry the baby.

Tolerability of the drug, according to women, is mostly good. With intravaginal use, side effects are very rare.

Substitution Utrozhestanu may be another drug progesterone, for example:

• gel Kraynon;
• Prajisan capsules;
• ampoules progesterone;
• Iprozhin capsules.

In addition, many doctors instead of Utrozhestan write to women who want to get pregnant Duphaston. Such an agent contains progestogen and acts in a similar way, therefore it is also prescribed for progesterone deficiency. It is represented by coated tablets, taken orally.

All about the use of "Utrozhestana" see the following video.