Endometrin suppositories are tablets containing progesterone. They are a type of hormone replacement therapy that people insert into the vagina.
Progesterone is a hormone that plays many important roles, including supporting a developing pregnancy.
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization, use a combination of hormones to control the reproductive cycle and help someone get pregnant. However, fertility treatments can alter the body’s natural progesterone levels, and some people pursuing fertility treatment may need additional progesterone support.
People undergoing ART may use Endometrin suppositories to increase their likelihood of implantation and pregnancy. Doctors may also prescribe Endometrin for other off-label uses, such as during the early weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss.
Read on to learn more about Endometrin suppositories.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Endometrin for use during ART cycles.
Specifically, Endometrin helps support the corpus luteum, a structure in an ovary that releases progesterone in early pregnancy.
Doctors may prescribe Endometrin to people who are undergoing in vitro fertilization. They may also recommend it during other treatments such as intrauterine insemination.
Supplementing with Endometrin may increase the likelihood of implantation and pregnancy.
It may also lower the risk of pregnancy loss. In addition to using Endometrin during ART, some doctors prescribe it to people with low progesterone. They may also prescribe it on an off-label basis to those with a history of pregnancy loss.
However, the data supporting the use of Endometrin during pregnancy are inconclusive. People can discuss their specific situation with a doctor to determine whether it is right for them.
Most people take Endometrin two to three times daily during an ART cycle. This means they get 200–300 milligrams of progesterone per day.
To use Endometrin, a person should follow these steps.
- Wash the hands thoroughly
- Find a comfortable position. Some people find it easier to insert the tablet while lying down or with one leg propped up.
- Place one insert into the end of the applicator.
- Gently place the applicator into the vagina, similar to inserting a tampon.
- Press down on the end of the applicator and dispose of it when they have finished.
The dose of Endometrin varies from person to person according to their treatment protocol, risk factors, and doctor’s recommendations.
In most cases, a person will continue using Endometrin for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Hormones are chemical messengers that play an important role in many different bodily functions. Consequently, hormones, such as progesterone, can cause a wide range of side effects.
Some of the most common side effects of Endometrin include:
- mood changes
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- irritability
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- headache
- urinary tract infection
- vaginal bleeding
- uterine spasms
Rarely, Endometrin can cause serious complications. These are more likely in people with:
- liver disease
- breast cancer
- a history of allergic reactions to progesterone products
- blood clots
Endometrin may also increase the risk of certain cardiovascular health issues such as heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. It may be unsafe to use in people with certain risk factors, so individuals need to tell a doctor their complete medical history.
Endometrin does not increase the risk of pregnancy loss. However, because it can cause vaginal bleeding, it may make a person think they are experiencing pregnancy loss.
Doctors have not researched every potential complication thoroughly. They also do not know how Endometrin might interact with other vaginal medications and products. Therefore, people using any other treatment that they insert into the vagina should tell a doctor before taking Endometrin.
Experts have also not identified all potential negative drug interactions.
Rifampin, carbamazepine, and certain other drugs may increase the rate at which the body metabolizes Endometrin, potentially decreasing its efficacy. As such, people need to consult a doctor for more advice.
Endometrin is a prescription drug, so a person should only take it under a doctor’s supervision. Individuals should contact a doctor if they:
- become pregnant
- stop a cycle of ART, change the hormones they use, or do anything else that might change the dosing of or need for Endometrin
- pass the 10-week pregnancy threshold
- have chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, or new cardiovascular symptoms
- develop intense side effects
- start taking a new medication while using Endometrin
- develop vaginal pain or other types of skin irritation on Endometrin
- develop vaginal bleeding
Endometrin is a tablet containing synthetic progesterone that people insert into the vagina.
A doctor may prescribe Endometrin as part of a patient’s fertility treatment plan or in a person who has low progesterone.
However, it is only safe to use under the supervision of a doctor. People should not continue to use Endometrin during pregnancy without first consulting a doctor.