Utrogestan is a medication from the progestogen family that contains progesterone. It is used in fertility treatments to support embryo implantation and, therefore, pregnancy. Additionally, this medication is also used as hormone replacement therapy for menopause and to prevent preterm labor as well as miscarriage.
Although it is a prescription-only medication, it is recommended to carefully read the package leaflet and follow the specialist’s instructions to avoid side effects.
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Composition of Utrogestan
The active ingredient in Utrogestan is progesterone, making it a medication classified under the progestogen group.
Progesterone is a hormone involved in the female ovarian cycle and helps maintain the uterus in optimal conditions for pregnancy development. In assisted reproduction treatments, progesterone is typically administered during endometrial preparation and continued until approximately the 12th week once pregnancy is confirmed.
In addition, Utrogestan contains peanut oil, soy lecithin, gelatin, glycerin, and titanium dioxide (E171). Therefore, this medication is not suitable for patients with hypersensitivity to any of these components.
Presentation and Price
There are two forms of Utrogestan based on the hormonal dosage:
- Utrogestan 200 mg
- This is a box containing 15 soft capsules, each with 200 mg of progesterone, priced at €10.49. There is also a box with 4 blisters, i.e., 60 capsules of 200 mg, priced at €41.96.
- Utrogestan 100 mg
- This is a box containing 30 capsules of 100 mg of progesterone, costing €5.81.
Indications
Utrogestan is used in the following cases:
- Conditions related to progesterone deficiency.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Hormone replacement therapy indicated for menopause.
- Progesterone supplementation in egg donation cycles.
- IVF treatment to support the luteal phase.
- Prevention of recurrent miscarriage caused by luteal insufficiency.
As mentioned above, this medication should not be taken without a prior medical prescription.
How to take Utrogestan?
Utrogestan can be administered either vaginally or orally. The generally recommended doses are as follows:
- Vaginal route: between 200 mg and 600 mg daily. The capsules, also known as suppositories, should be inserted into the vagina and gently pushed toward the uterus with a finger.
- Oral route: between 200 mg and 300 mg daily. Typically, 200 mg at bedtime or 100 mg in the morning and 200 mg at night.
In any case, this type of treatment must be closely monitored by a specialist, aiming to personalize the dosage, route of administration, and duration as much as possible.
If a dose is missed during treatment, it is important not to take a double dose to make up for it. You should consult your doctor for advice on what to do.
Contraindications
Utrogestan should not be used in the following situations:
- Allergy to progesterone.
- History of thromboembolic disorders.
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
- Liver disorders.
Furthermore, Utrogestan is also not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, as progesterone is excreted in breast milk.
Symptoms and Side Effects
Although symptoms from Utrogestan treatment vary greatly depending on the dosage and the individual, many women report symptoms similar to those of pregnancy.
Additionally, a light bleeding may occur when starting treatment with progesterone.
It is important not to confuse this bleeding with menstruation, as it is lighter, shorter, and less painful than menstrual bleeding.
Below are some of the adverse reactions associated with Utrogestan use:
- Menstrual cycle disturbances.
- Intermittent bleeding.
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) or reduced menstrual bleeding.
- Drowsiness and deep sleep.
- Abdominal pain.
- Abdominal and breast bloating.
- Dizziness or vertigo.
As it may cause drowsiness and/or dizziness, caution should be taken when driving or operating heavy machinery.
Regarding pregnancy, since progesterone is the hormone that naturally increases during pregnancy, its use during this period should not cause adverse effects.
If any other symptoms or reactions occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor directly to determine the appropriate course of action.
All the information published in this article has been taken from the Vademecum (a reference guide that includes the composition, indications, side effects, etc., of all the medications on the market).
FAQs from users
What happens if I take too much progesterone?
Progesterone is an essential hormone for successful implantation.
It has been shown that there are levels of progesterone in the blood (below 10-10.6ng/mL) at which, without ‘overdosing’ (adding subcutaneous progesterone to vaginal progesterone), the chances of pregnancy and live birth decrease by up to 30%. The addition of subcutaneous progesterone (progesterone shots) was successful in normalising progesterone levels (above 10ng/mL) in 28% of cases.
These studies show that if progesterone levels are below this threshold the day before or the day of transfer, the chances of pregnancy decrease. And, if we perform this ‘overdosing’ with subcutaneous progesterone, the chances of pregnancy are equal to those of patients with optimal progesterone levels on the day of the test.
Furthermore, during the course of these studies, progesterone overdosage has been shown to have no deleterious effects on the likelihood of pregnancy and no potential adverse effects on the unborn child. The side effects of progesterone are limited to nausea, constipation and increased sleepiness.
Is Utrogestan used after artificial insemination or only in IVF treatments?
Luteal phase support with progesterone (Utrogestan) has been shown to be effective in both artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation treatments.
Is utrogestan fattening?
Utrogestan itself is not fattening, but it may increase fluid retention and bloating due to hormonal imbalance. However, this varies from woman to woman, as some women find hormone medication more bloating than others.
What is the price of utrogestan?
The Utrogestan 200 box of 15 softgels costs approximately €10.49 and the box of 60 softgels is priced at €41.96. Utrogestan 100mg 30 softgels costs €5.81.
Can taking progesterone (utrogestan) cause acne?
Yes, many women notice pimples on their faces during utrogestan treatment due to hormonal imbalance.
Can utrogestan be used as a contraceptive?
No. Although utrogestan can cause hormonal imbalances leading to anovulation and/or absence of menstruation, it has no contraceptive effect and should not be used as such.
There are contraceptives whose active ingredient is progesterone, but at doses and forms of use different from those of utrogestan.
Recommended Reading
One of Utrogestan’s indications is for fertility treatments, although there are other progesterone-based medications. If you would like to learn more about these and other drugs used in assisted reproduction, you can visit the following link: What Medications Are Used for Ovarian Stimulation?
On the other hand, if it’s time for embryo transfer and you want more information about this IVF stage, we recommend reading this article: Embryo transfer: when and how is it done?
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References
Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. CIMA. UTROGESTAN 100 mg cápsulas blandas. Nº REGISTRO: 60814. Prospecto: información para el usuario. (View)
Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. CIMA. UTROGESTAN 200 mg cápsulas blandas. Nº REGISTRO: 64899. Prospecto: información para el usuario. (View)
FAQs from users: 'What happens if I take too much progesterone?', 'Is Utrogestan used after artificial insemination or only in IVF treatments?', 'Is utrogestan fattening?', 'What is the price of utrogestan?', 'Can taking progesterone (utrogestan) cause acne?' and 'Can utrogestan be used as a contraceptive?'.
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