A word about Crinone

I thought I'd take a brief moment to talk about Crinone 8% (are 12 words I never thought I'd write or say, EVER.)

Since the evening of my lining/blood check last Tues, I've been adding Crinone 8% progesterone gel to my daily meds/supplements in preparation for my transfer tomorrow (and really, in preparation for pregnancy overall.)  As I mentioned in the previous post, progesterone is naturally occurring after ovulation and required in order to sustain a woman's pregnancy through about the first trimester - until the placenta takes over.  Since I did not ovulate (because of the meds Dr. A had me on) the Crinone is a supplement to produce progesterone.  It comes in an applicator - like a very thin tampon - that holds a small dosage of gel which you insert vaginally each morning and evening.  I was to start it this past week before the transfer and if when we get pregnant I'll need to continue it for the first trimester.

Before starting the Crinone, I'd read some pretty nasty side effects in all those (yes, sometimes questionable) online IVF forums.  I definitely take the stuff I read online with a grain of salt, but was still bummed at the side effects and annoyances I was reading about: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sore breasts, constipation, frequent urination... but wait - hmmm aren't these all pregnancy symptoms?  I checked in with Dr. A on what I'd read and she responded with the exact same answer.  Of course these women are claiming to have these side effects - THEY'RE PREGNANT!

For the past week, while I have most certainly NOT been pregnant, I have not experienced a single one of these side effects.  Actually really none that I can tell from any of the meds/supplements I've been taking.  Perhaps a slight headache these last couple days, but my previous discussions with Dr. A make me think those are likely from my elevated estrogen levels right now.

The other annoyance I read about the Crinone is that the gel residue gets "backed up and feels like you have a tampon halfway in" (yes I actually read this a few times) and that women have to "clean themselves out with their finger".  um, UGH!  Two easy solutions for this (as told to me by Dr. A, and I'd also read the exact same suggestions online):

• only place the applicator about 1 1/2" up (the width of two fingers held perpendicular against the tip of the applicator).  Don't try to get it as far in there as you can (another benefit is you don't hit the cervix which can cause spotting/bleeding)
• don't administer the Crinone just before bed, I've been doing it when I get home from work in the evening so gravity is coating it downwards instead of it just sitting there all night while you sleep

Doing these 2 things will still totally allow the vagina to absorb all the progesterone needed.

I hope this helps you out and makes you feel a lot better about the Crinone you may need to become friendly with for a few months!  The only slight annoyances for me is I'm basically wearing a liner most of the day and night, and I do see some occasional "cottage cheese" looking gel build-up which, let's be honest - is NOTHING compared to nightly progesterone shots in the butt and not being able to sit down for 3 months... I'll take this ANY day!

Transfer is tomorrow - wish us luck!!