A variety of treatment options are available for infertility, depending on the nature of the problem. Progesterone therapy is one treatment which may be used if your body is not producing enough progesterone to support a pregnancy.
Progesterone is naturally released by the corpus luteum after ovulation has occurred. Progesterone increases the thickness of the endometrial lining, creating the optimum environment for the fertilized egg to implant and begin to grow.
In some cases, not enough progesterone is released by the corpus luteum. As a result, the lining of the uterus doesn’t get thick enough for the egg to implant. This is known as a luteal phase defect. Progesterone therapy is an effective treatment for this condition. Studies indicate that over three quarters of women receiving progesterone therapy get pregnant after beginning treatment.
Progesterone therapy is used to help thicken the lining of the uterus in women with luteal phase defect. It may also be used in women with menstrual irregularities in conjunction with other fertility medications. Women with a past history of miscarriage due to low progesterone levels may also benefit from progesterone therapy.
Progesterone is available in many forms including oral, suppositories, gel and injections. Oral progesterone is available in both natural and synthetic forms. Natural progesterone is preferred for use in pregnancy due to problems associated with synthetic progesterone, such as congenital abnormalities and an increased risk of miscarriage.
The other most commonly used forms of progesterone are suppositories and injections. Suppositories are inserted into the vagina each night. Injections are used most often with IVF procedures. The injections are given at home like fertility drugs.
Your doctor will select the type of progesterone therapy which will be most effective in your situation. In the treatment of luteal phase defect, the treatment is started two or three days after ovulation. This continues daily until you get your period or find out you are pregnant. If pregnancy occurs, your doctor will determine how long you need to remain on progesterone therapy.
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What is a Luteal Phase Defect?