Progesterone Safety

Posted by Meg J on April 26, 1999 at 14:39:04
I'm using vaginal natural Progesterone suppositories twice a day, 50mg each.  My progesterone level was not tested prior, and I don't have a luetal phase defect.  Due to light brown spotting at 4 weeks, my RE started me on them (I'm now 6 weeks).  I had spotting with my previous pregnancy on and off for the first trimester, and did not get progesterone.  I've read progesterone helping in sustaining a pregnancy under these circumstances in unproven, and I don't want to continue taking the progesterone if there are any increased risks for birth defects with this type of treatment.  Please let me know if there are any types of birth defects that my baby would have an increase risk of having with the use of progesterone suppositories through week 12 of the pregnancy.
Thank you for answering my question.
Posted by hfhs.md.rcs on April 27, 1999 at 00:26:00
Dear MegJ
Progesterone has no known health risks for unborn babies. It is very safe for mothers: some people believe it predisposes to yeast infections, but otherwise nothing bad has been suggested.
In the past, patients have been prescribed 1000 mg/day of progesterone without harm.
The benefit of progesterone to prevent pregnancy loss is unproven.
Keywrods: progesterone, safety
This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consulation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your physician.