Injectible Progesterone Shots VS Vaginal Suppositories - Which is Better?

[Anonymous]

I will be starting my second round of IVF soon...I was prescribed progesterone suppositories by my RE to take during the 2ww, however I am wondering if the injectible progesterone is better/more effective (although I heard these particular shots are very painful!). I remember feeling like a lot of the suppository was leaking out of me...maybe the injectible will stay in my system better.

Does anyone have any input they could offer on this subject? Experiences with either the injectible or suppository? TIA!

[Anonymous]

I believe recent studies have shown that the suppositories were as effective as the POI shots, which is why Shady Grove and other clinics have switched to the suppositories. However, I'm sure they'd let you do the shot if you would prefer that; my nurse told me that the suppositories were messy and that some patients preferred to do the shots, at least through the two-week wait or the initial ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

I have been on both. I greatly preferred the shots, yes they were literally a "pain in the ass," but it was over quickly, vs dealing with the suppositories multiple times a day and the leaking issue (which was NASTY!).
However, I had no pain with the shots any other time than the actual injection, whereas other women have said they were awful and created lumps and made walking painful.

[Anonymous]

I've done both. My 1st doc thought the shots work better. My 2nd doc thinks supps work better. Both seemed to have worked for me. The shots are painful until you get the hang of it. Needles were huge By the time I stopped taking them by backside was a mess of bruises. The supps are messy but less of a hassle overall, in my experience.

[Anonymous]

I was told there was no difference but given a preference I would gladly take the shots. It is over quickly and you don't have to think about it again. The suppositories are very messy and I hated dealing with them.

[Anonymous]

I started on the shots and then switched to suppositories after we got a +++ test. I probably used the progesterone until I was about 6 weeks pregnant and released to the OB. Pregnancy resulted in successful twin pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Studies have shown that they are clinically equal. SG switched their entire practice to suppositories in late 2008/2009. They will of course still do shots for patients who request them but suppositories are now the default option.

I did two cycles with shots (positive and negative) and one with suppositories (positive).
I actually MUCH prefer the suppositories. I didn't mind the actual injections as much as I minded the lumps and bumps and welts that they gave me. I had residual sore lumps for 3 months after stopping the shots the last time. Back during my first cycle (2005) I was on the shots daily for 12 weeks. It took about a year to fully recover from the trauma to my rear end.

[Anonymous]

I started my cycle with Shady Grove in February of this year. I wasn't given a choice, I had to do shots until I was 8 weeks pregnant. Then I could switch to suppositories until I was 10 weeks along, I chose to remain on the shots because the nurse warned me the suppositories could cause spotting. I have had multiple miscarriages and knew I could not deal with spotting.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much everyone for all of your great responses! You have all been incredibly helpful. (Seriously, viewing these boards have helped me get through so much!) Based on everyone's answers, I'm hoping I'll be given the suppositories instead of the shots, especially since they both seem to be clinically just as effective. I'm a bit of a wimp and would rather deal with "messy" than "pain, lumps, bruises" etc. Again, thank you so much for all of your input!

[Anonymous]

Oh boy I have done both. Currantly doing the shots and let me tell you my bum is so sore. I'm actually going to talk to the RE about switching to the suppositories. Cuz I can't take 10 more weeks of this

[Anonymous]

PP- If it helps, for me the pain seemed to be pretty bad the first week, then it got better for a few weeks and then I started hurting again when I ran out of new places to shoot on my butt.

[Anonymous]

I have always done the suppositories and will take them any day over shots.