please explain cycle while using prometrium

blueridgegirl · 05-24-2004, 05:41 PM

I started my first Promtrium cycle of 1 a day for 12 days (this month). The day of the 11th pill, I think, I found some slight shedding- I don' t say bleeding because it was not the red blood looking stuff I usually have at the beginning of a period (sorry so gross!)- it was more of the brown bits of lining (old lining?). And I only noticed it that day on toilet tissue. The next two days I checked and found the same kind of shedding- but never experienced anything outside of my body (do you understand what I mean?). I didn't have to wear protection any of those days because it never showed up outside of my body. (There wasn't enough?). The last day it was sort of red, but no more substance or amount than before.

Here is my question:
How the heck does this work anyway? If I am taking 12 pills the first 12 days of a month, where does that fit into my cycle? If it were a normal cycle, would that be mid-cycle (making my period start when the 12 pills are over or within a short time after?)? If the pills are to make my AF start, then am I taking them approximately during the time I would be ovulating? And if I get pregnant, how does that work? I am supposed to test the day before I start the 12 -pill cycle. Does that assume that I am or am not pregnant at that time, and that the pill will start my period?

I am SO confused by this- I keep trying to figure it out in my head. I have no idea when I "should" be ovulating during this cycle, and can't figure out when I need to be most conscious of trying to get pregnant. (We want to...)

Thanks for your help to my convoluted questions!

Kim in NC

London · 05-25-2004, 11:41 AM

Hi Kim

I have taken Prometrium off and on since last July to regulate my periods. It seems like AF usually came after I took 9-10 pills (of the prescribed 12). For me, AF came like it normally does and the Prometrium sort of gave me a jump start. You may want to ask your doctor if you should count the spotting as cycle days 1, 2, 3, etc. -- perhaps you had a really light period? (Then your ovulation day would be roughly two weeks later, depending on your cycle).

Bottom line, the Prometrium doesn't have any bearing on your cycle days until AF comes. For example, if AF came when I took my 10th pill, that would be cycle day 1. I hope I made sense?

If not, feel free to ask away...

Sonya

Riverside · 05-26-2004, 11:18 PM

How many days ago did you take the last pill (Pill #12)? I would wait a few days (really up to 10 days) and see if you get a more defined AF.

The Prometrium is suppose to act as though you have already O'd. So, for TTC, you really can't get pregnant this cycle. You will get AF and then start a new cycle of TTC.

Does that help you?

blueridgegirl · 05-27-2004, 12:21 AM

I took the last pill on the 12th (she has me taking them the first 12 days of each month). No more defined period than the one I described.

I am supposed to take a HPT the day before I start the next round of prometrium (so, that will be Tuesday).

If it acts like I have already O'd and I am pregnant, wouldn't it be too early to tell if I am pg when I am taking the test (only two weeks after the end of the pill? Would it show up by then?

And my last question, if I do get pg while taking the Prometrium, and the HPT doesn't read it early, is the prometrium acting as a abortive agent to make my lining shed? That is my biggest fear...

Thanks for your help!

Kim

Riverside · 05-28-2004, 12:53 PM

You are correct. You start AF (CD 1), then you O (CD 14, 18 whatever day you O) and if the stars line-up and BD timing works, etc... you would get Pregnant but taking an HTP test right after you O would not show Positive.

Lot's of women, myself included, have Luteal Phase defects (where there is not enough Progesterone to sustain a Pregnancy). I assume that your doctor is trying to ensure that your body has enough Prog. to either sustain it or keep you on a cycle to get AF. Without Progesterone, do you have a regular cycle?

The progestrone does not cause AF, it is when you stop and then Prog. levels drop that bring on AF (usually 3-10 days after last pill). If you are pregnant (test 14 days or so after O), even when you stop Prog. pill, you would not get AF (although you might M/C because the body needs the progesterone). Do you think your doctor meant to take HTP on last day of Prog. pill and maybe continue if it was BFP?

I would call your doctor and clarify what he/she wants you to do, step-by-step through your cycle.

Good luck and Baby dust!