Here you will find information on:
Please always take Utrogestan Vaginal exactly as your doctor has advised you to and read the package leaflet that comes with your medicine before using it.
Don’t forget there is a free app that you can download from the app store or google play.
The app has the added benefit of a dose reminder tool that will alert you when you need to take your next dose of Utrogestan Vaginal.
Why have you been prescribed
UTROGESTAN VAGINAL
As part of your assisted fertility treatment, the medication you take to control ovulation and the embryo transfer procedure can disrupt your body’s natural progesterone production. This can result in low levels of progesterone.
In the luteal phase (the part of your menstrual cycle after ovulation) progesterone is needed to thicken the uterus wall (called the endometrium), ready for an egg to implant.
Utrogestan Vaginal contains progesterone and offers ‘luteal phase support’. When inserted into the vagina, progesterone helps increase the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy.
How to use
UTROGESTAN VAGINAL
Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.
Before you start:
- Applicators are supplied to ease insertion of capsule into the vagina.
- Read the package leaflet that comes with your medicine before using it.
- Practice good hygiene and wash your hands before and after inserting Utrogestan Vaginal.
- Use the Utrogestan Vaginal applicator that comes with your Utrogestan Vaginal capsules.
After you have inserted Utrogestan Vaginal
- Dispose of the applicator – they are for single use only.
- Wearing a panty liner is recommended, as there may be some leakage from the dissolved capsule.
When not to use
UTROGESTAN VAGINAL
Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and read the package leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of warnings and precautions.
Do not use Utrogestan Vaginal if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to progesterone, soya lecithin, peanut, soya, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- You have severe liver disease
- You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- You have mammary or genital tract carcinoma
- You have thrombophlebitis
- You have or have had blood clots in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- You have cerebral haemorrhage
- You have a rare blood problem called “porphyria” which is passed down in families (inherited)
- You have had a missed abortion
Precaution
Utrogestan Vaginal 200mg contains soya lecithin. As there is a possible relationship between allergy to soya and allergy to peanut, people with soya or peanut allergy should avoid using Utrogestan Vaginal 200mg. For the avoidance of doubt, Utrogestan Vaginal does not contain peanut products.
Patient Resources
Please read the package leaflet that comes with your medicine before using Utrogestan Vaginal.
Always use this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional has told you. If you are not sure, you can check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
The Utrogestan Vaginal Package Leaflet provides useful information about your medication, what it is used for and how to use it.
Don’t forget there is a free app that you can download from the app store or google play.
The app has the added benefit of a dose reminder tool that will alert you when you need to take your next dose of Utrogestan Vaginal.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
ART is the technology used to achieve pregnancy in procedures such as fertility medication, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation and surrogacy. It is reproductive technology used primarily for infertility treatments.
Endometrium
The lining of the womb – progesterone makes it thicken during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle so it can help a fertilised egg develop.
Follicular phase
The Follicular phase is part of the menstrual cycle. It starts on the first day of your menstrual period and ends when you ovulate. During this stage the follicles (pods containing the eggs) ripen, and one of the eggs matures.
Hormone
A natural chemical, normally produced by the body, to help regulate or change one of the body’s systems.
IVF
In vitro fertilisation.
Implantation
When a fertilised egg is placed into the uterus (womb).
Luteal phase
The Luteal phase is part of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the follicle that released the egg produces hormones that thicken and ripen the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) to prepare for pregnancy.
Menstrual cycle
The cycle of ovulation (the luteal and follicular stages) of a woman’s reproductive system that can allow her to become pregnant.
Ovulation
This is the process of the menstrual cycle which results in the release of a mature egg from the ovary. The difference between an IVF cycle and a regular menstrual cycle is that ovulation is artificially induced to mature the eggs and to time their harvesting to enable their fertilisation in the IVF lab.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone which in a regular menstrual cycle is produced by the ovaries. Progesterone prepares the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to allow a fertilised egg (embryo) to stick or implant. In assisted fertility treatment progesterone may not be released by the ovaries and so it is taken as a medication during this procedure.
Shedding
When the walls of the womb break down and are released out of the vagina – what’s commonly known as ‘having your period’.
Uterus
The womb.
What are Utrogestan Vaginal 200mg capsules?
Utrogestan Vaginal 200mg capsules are capsules that contain the hormone progesterone, which when inserted into the vagina has been shown to increase the chances of getting pregnant after IVF treatment.
What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a female hormone that’s released naturally as part of the menstrual cycle to help prepare the body for pregnancy.
Why does Utrogestan Vaginal have to be inserted into the vagina?
Inserting Utrogestan Vaginal into the vagina allows the progesterone to be rapidly absorbed.
How to take Utrogestan Vaginal?
Always take Utrogestan Vaginal only as your doctor has told you to.
What if I forget to take a dose of Utrogestan Vaginal?
If you forget a dose, insert a capsule as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for the next dose, then skip the dose you’ve forgotten. Do not take a double dose.
Are there any side effects from Utrogestan Vaginal?
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Local side effects like burning or itching of the vagina have been reported in literature and in clinical trials, however the incidence was extremely low. For a full list of side effects, please read the package leaflet.
Similarly, low incidence of discharge (leaking) from the vagina have been reported, which is why wearing a panty liner is recommended.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Can a Utrogestan Vaginal capsule fall out?
If it is inserted correctly it’s unlikely a capsule will fall out.
How soon can I go to the toilet after inserting Utrogestan Vaginal?
Straight away – the capsules should be inserted deep in your vagina, so going to the toilet (which happens through your urinary canal) won’t affect the capsules.
Reporting side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
References:
1. Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd Utrogestan Vaginal Package Leaflet. Available from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3244.pdf Last accessed: August 2023.
2. Utrogestan Vaginal Summary of Product Characteristics. Available from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3244/smpc Last accessed: September 2022.