does anyone have experience with Progynova???

Hi,
I am 35, trying to conceive and currently living in Beijing. Two years ago I had a miscarriage. My husband and I have been trying to conceive ever since. I have very light periods that last 2-3 days. And I have suspected endometriosis with a mass growing between my bladder and cervix. I have had this mass since two years and it is not growing. My periods and the days after my periods are extremelly painful, especially when my bladder is full or when I need to urinate.

I have found a fertility specialist and he has prescribed the following drugs. On days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 I need to take 1T/day of Letrozole (to stimulate folicle growth). From day 8 onwards 2T/day of Progynova (to ensure thickening of my uteral lining) and from the 3rd day after ovulation, I need to take Duphaston. I can tolerate Letrozole and Duphaston without any problems. But Progynova gives me horrible side effects: dizziness, extreme low energy level and anxiety attacks (never had anxiety before). I was just wondering if Progynova can indeed give these side effects and if there are any other drugs that can stimulate the thickening of my uteral lining.

Hi Katleen,

I have been on Progynova before. Not in the same circumstances as yourself, but during one of my IVF cycles. I had similar symptoms to you during the cycle in which I was on Progynova - particularly the anxiety and low energy levels that you mention. However I seemed to be even more sensitive again to the equivalent of your taking Duphaston - I was using Progesterone pessaries, which are pretty common to be prescribed here in Australia rather than Duphaston.

What I'm trying to get at is that the symptoms you describe are not at all uncommon for women on various types of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) to experience, whether for IVF, ovulation induction, cycle support etc. Some woman seem to be sensitive to oestrogen equivalents (Progynova - such as yourself) whilst other woman are sensitive to progesterone equivalents (Duphaston, Crinone, Progesterone pessaries - which I was).

I appreciate that the symptoms and side effects are really nasty and I'm sorry that you're experiencing them - I really can empathise. Do you drink a lot of water during the day? My best suggestion to counteract the side effects is to make sure you are drinking a good 2L of water a day - your body can manage the hormones to it's best capacity when you are well hydrated.

I know that there are other HRT drugs on the market that are used for thickening the lining of the uterus out there (i.e. oestrogen replacement) but I don't know anything about what they are and whether there are less side effects on them. My instinct tells me that you may find that you experience the same sort of symptoms on another drug as it is your body responding to the hormone and your sensitivity to the hormone levels in your body, rather than just the named drug itself. However, it's definitely worth speaking to your fertility specialist about the side effects you're experiencing and whether he thinks being on another form of oestrogen replacement (or even an altered dose - depending on your response to the dose you're on currently) would help.

Good luck, and I hope my experience and thoughts are helpful.

Miss C

Dear Miss C.

Thank you so much for your reply! It is interesting how our bodies all respond differently.

I explained to my specialist that the side effects I experience with Progynova are just too harsh for me to function in my job. Dizziness and anxiety are just not the best ingredients to do any kind of job. He understood and respected my decision to stop taking the progynova. He did prescribe a different type of estrogen for next cycle, called Premarin 0.625mg, hoping I can handle these better. I did read the leaflet, and it does mention the same type of possible side effects, so I do worry a bit. I will try them next cycle and will definitely follow your advice on drinking plenty of water. I probably don't drink enough.

Do you have any experience with taking any herbal supplements? I am currently taking red raspberry leaf tablets (with consent of my specialist). I read online that taking Evening Primrose Oil tablets from start of period until ovulation and flax seed after ovulation. Both support hormone levels and help building a healthy uterine lining. I did read warnings on combining these herbal supplements with hormonal treatment though? Do you have any experience? Advice?

I want to thank you once again for your words of support and advice. Very VERY much appreciated!

Lots of baby dust to you!

Katleen

Hi Katleen,

I'm sorry I didn't see your reply until now - I only received an email update on the thread today for some strange reason.

I'm glad you spoke to your specialist about changing your oestrogen HRT - I hope that the side effects are not as bad on this type of hormone that he has prescribed for you now. The dose can be quite relevant too, so hopefully your specialist can tell from the symptoms and severity of them you experienced on the Progynova what dose is most suitable for you. I'm sure this is the case.

I don't have a lot of experience with herbal supplements - I didn't take any during my IVF treatment, other than keeping on top of my iron and folate levels. I have taken Evening Primrose Oil capsules in the past to help with the severity of my cycle symptoms (including PMT). Raspberry Leaf tea/capsules are often used late in pregnancy to help tone the uterus (like toning muscles, in a way) and prepare for labour, so I'm sure preparing the uterus for pregnancy is possible too. I have also heard of women and men taking Royal Jelly (particularly fresh) to aid with egg and sperm quality, so that might be another one to look into. Other than that, just being on a good multivitamin or better yet, eating a good diet without processed carbohydrates but lots of protein and some complex carbs is also very good for you. And that water I mentioned! 2-3L a day :)

Acupuncture is also another source of alternative therapy that has been shown in cases to aid with successful embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy.

You might want to start another thread asking about herbal supplements and alternative therapies that ladies take/do during their IVF treatment - there are quite a number of ladies here who do that - including chinese medicine and acupuncture - and can provide much better information than I can.

Hope the little bit of info I have is helpful, and very best of luck to you for your next cycle!

Miss C