Forms of Progesterone Supplements
Forms of Progesterone Supplements
Not all forms of progesterone are created equal. There are several types of progesterone are available, including vaginal products that deliver progesterone directly to the uterus.
The different forms include the following:
Vaginal gel:
- Used once a day for progesterone supplementation
- Unique — the only once-daily FDA-approved progesterone for ART for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy
- The only FDA-approved progesterone for replacement for donor egg recipients and frozen embryo transfers
- Over a decade of experience and over 40 million doses prescribed
In studies where patient preference was measured, a majority of women preferred the gel for comfort and convenience over other progesterone formulations - Some discharge reported during use
Vaginal suppositories:
- Compounded at specialty pharmacists
- Wax-based
- Widely used but not FDA-approved
- Used 2 to 3 times a day
- Leakage can be messy
Vaginal inserts:
- Designed for vaginal use
- FDA-approved for progesterone supplementation but not for progesterone replacement
- Effective in women under 35 years; no established results in women over 35 years
Used 2 to 3 times a day
Progesterone oral capsules, used vaginally:
- Not formulated or FDA-approved for vaginal use
- Fewer side effects when capsules are used vaginally instead of orally
- Used up to 3 times a day
Injections:
- An oil-based solution (sometimes called progesterone in oil)
- Widely used; the oldest, most established method of progesterone delivery
- Injected into the buttocks once a day
- Require long, thick needle to penetrate layers of skin and fat
- Difficult to administer by yourself
- Injections may be painful
- Skin reactions are common