Written by
Monica Karpinski
Medically reviewed by
Kelda Gould
Progesterone medication is a really important part of IVF treatment. It helps prepare the lining of the womb for the embryo, to make sure it’s thick enough to attach to.
One of the ways it’s given is via injection. Yet not all progesterone shots are the same. At ARGC, we’ll suggest which medicine is best for you personally.
So, what should you know about progesterone shots? Here’s the lowdown.
First things first: why do we use progesterone shots during IVF?
In a natural cycle, progesterone rises after ovulation to help support conception. It thickens the womb lining so that the embryo can attach and burrow inside it.
But in IVF, you take fertility medicine to control ovulation. The aim is to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs, and to prevent the eggs from being released too early. Fertility medication does this by disrupting your natural hormonal rhythms and suppressing progesterone production.
So, you need to take extra progesterone to replace these levels. That’s why we sometimes call it “progesterone supplementation”.
Good to know: progesterone isn’t only available as an injection. You can also get it as a pessary. Your clinic will confirm which specific type of progesterone is best for you.
Yes. Progesterone is absolutely essential for pregnancy. It thickens the lining of your womb so that the embryo can implant and grow. It also supports the baby during early pregnancy by keeping the womb lining thick, which provides the embryo with nutrients.
It depends on the type of treatment you’re having. Generally speaking, here’s how your progesterone plan might look depending on your situation.
Typically, progesterone support begins after your eggs have been collected. This prepares the lining of your womb for the embryo. You’ll keep taking progesterone after embryo transfer to support the early stages of pregnancy, too.
You will usually start progesterone a few days before the transfer. Again, this is to help create the optimal environment for the embryo.
Even if you aren’t planning to have the embryo transfer right away, we will still usually prescribe you progesterone after your egg collection. This is because it helps your womb lining recover from the retrieval procedure. It can also make the return of your periods a bit more comfortable. In this situation, you’ll only be on progesterone for a short period of time—your clinic will let you know when to stop taking it.
There’s two main types of progesterone injections in IVF: Lubion or intramuscular injections.
Lubion is a brand name. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous). Depending on your treatment plan, you might need to take it once, twice, or three times per day. Usually, these injections are prescribed alongside other types of progesterone support. If you get pregnant while using Lubion, you’ll usually continue taking it until about the 10-12 week mark. You’ll gradually taper off after that.
Intramuscular injections (IM) are a type of progesterone given directly into the muscle. The medication that’s normally used is Gestone or Prontagest (both of these are brand names).They should be given into the upper, outer quadrant of your buttocks (the bit below your hips) or the outer, fleshy part of your thigh. As with Lubion, you’ll normally keep receiving these injections until the end of your first trimester.
Neither of these medicines is ‘better’ than the other. They each have their own pros and cons. For example, intramuscular injections can use more volume, so more medicine is generally given in one dose. That means you need to do them less often than subcutaneous injections. Yet most people would say that subcutaneous injections are easier to use. Your clinic will confirm which type of medicine is best for you personally.
Like any medicine, progesterone shots can come with side effects. And they can vary hugely from person-to-person. Some people might not have any symptoms at all.
At ARGC, we continuously monitor you daily throughout your treatment cycle. If you’re having any troublesome side effects, we’ll pick this up and tend to them right away. We will also adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Possible side effects of progesterone shots include:
Most of the time, side effects are mild and clear up on their own. But there is a risk of a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is where your ovaries react too strongly to fertility medicine, swelling in size and becoming painful. They can also leak fluid into the stomach.
Sometimes, OHSS can be severe—and this needs to be seen to promptly.
Call your clinic’s emergency line right away if you experience:
If you can’t reach your clinic, or if your symptoms are severe, go straight to A&E.
How long do I need to take progesterone after IVF?
We will usually advise that you take progesterone up until weeks 10-12 of pregnancy. That’s the point where the developing placenta can take over progesterone production, so your body will have enough to support the baby.
After your IVF treatment cycle finishes (when the embryo is transferred), we will keep an eye on your progesterone levels to make sure they don’t dip too low. We will do a blood test every two or three days from the transfer date up until you take your pregnancy test, and until the 6-week mark. Between 6-12 weeks, we’ll check your levels weekly.
Progesterone shots are nothing to fear: for decades, they’ve been used to help people become parents via IVF.
But however your treatment plan looks, working with the right clinic is key. At ARGC, we’re known for our unique and extremely thorough approach. We build each treatment plan around a person’s unique biology and adjust it in real-time as necessary. We monitor your every day (sometimes, twice) to see how you’re progressing—and to pick up any potential problems right away.
Working in this way is intense, but we do it because it gives you the best possible chance of becoming a parent.
Wondering whether ARGC is right for you? Our advisory calls are free, no-obligation, and led by someone who can answer your specific questions about treatment, costs, and what to expect. Book a call to get started.
Monica Karpinski is a health and science writer specialising in women's health. She has previously written for Stylist, Reader's Digest, the New Statesman Media Group, and more.
Why are progesterone shots used in IVF?