Progesterone suppositories can give you yeast infection

[LouHoo]

Twice now I have suffered through a horrible yeast infection during my 2ww after IVF while using progesterone suppositories (Prometrium 200 mg 4 times per day).

The first time, I thought it was a coincidence. I didn't even tell my RE. After suffering for a week, I called my OB, told him I was waiting to find out if I was pg, and he said it was safe to use Monistat.

The second time (over a year later) it took me a while to remember that I had been through this before. I was itching SO badly I thought I was going to tear my skin off from scratching so much (sorry - TMI!). I called my RE and he said the itching can be caused by the progesterone suppositories. He said he prefers that I try to wait until he sees the results of my beta, but he said if it was REALLY bothering me I could use Monistat. Well, by then I was already 11dp3dt. I did an HPT which was negative, and immediately used Monistat. Even if I hadn't gotten a negative, I would probably have used the Monistat, because my OB said it was OK and I was DYING!

Has anyone else ever experienced this? I just wanted to let you all know so that if you start itching down there, you'll know why. Don't suffer like I did for more than a week. Ask your RE what you can do to stop the itching.

Good luck everybody!

[AthenaD]

Hi LouHoo,

I had a smiliary reaction to the suppositories! I didn't use monistat, because most of my itching was external. I used vagisil and it helped a lot. Hang in there!

Big hugs,
Athena

[LouHoo]

My itching was external, too, and it spread backwards, if you get my drift. No one ever suggested Vagisil. I'll try that first next time. Thanks!

[davoswoman]

I had this too but it went away after my first few days on the suppositories.

Candy

[archana]

well i had been itching withtout suppositories and doctor couldn't figure out any reason used yeast infection medications, suppositories etc. Finally after my iui they put me on progestrone supposities and i stopped after 2 days from bloating and all and now i am having itching like crazy and tearing my skin off like anything!!!!!!!any idea??

[hopeful37]

Hi girls,

I was so relieved to read your posts. I too am using the prog suppositories, and for the past 4 days have been itching externally. Today is a little better, but it was driving me crazy. It's so hard to tell what's going on with all that cream I will mention it to my RE this week. Thanks again.

Lisa

[unclemooji]

I got this from my mom (who has been a nurse for 41yrs): she has had yeast infections from various meds. Now if she knows if she has to take any of these meds she will eat yogurt. It kills the bacteria on the inside.

[Sav]

Most Progesterone suppositories have a wax like coating, and that can create irritation to some women. This happened to me. I told my Dr about it , he switched me to a Progesterone suppository that is compounded using cocoa butter. It has made a WORLD of difference for me. No more irritation, itching or burning. YEAH!

By the way....from my experience - the wax like supps are white, the cocoa butter ones are an off white or very light tan in color.

I hope this helps. Cant hurt to try it. Good Luck

Sav

[jbourke]

Yes ladies, what you are experiencing is not a yeast infection, but a rection. I used PIO for my IVF, cuz I rathered used that then scratch. Turned out I had itching reaction to that too. My RE told me the reaction is not a good thing, as you body is fighting something and not focusing on nuturing your wee one. I will use crinone gel in the future, which is made from a completley different type of progesterone, and he assures me is just as effective and I shouldn't have the reactions. Good luck everyone.

[LouHoo]

pg and child ment

Jbourke - Thanks for that info! I will ask my RE for another option for progesterone. I did get pg in the past and now have a 2-1/2 year old son, and I absolutely do not remember any itching from the progesterone suppositories. Since then I've had three fresh IVFs and one FET TTC #2. All of those times I've had horrible itching. It's strange because I'm using the same suppositories. Anyway, I wonder if the reaction is partly to blame for my BFNs. Thanks again! Good luck to you!