Progesterone side effects?

[u/swtpch17]

I had CD 21 progesterone tested today and I got the results this afternoon. It came back at 11.9 ng/mL which is fine not great. The nurse told me they’re looking for at least 20 so she prescribed me 200 mg oral progesterone every 8 hours starting tonight.

I really shouldn’t have looked up the possible side effects of the pill because it has me in a bit of a spiral because I leave for vacation tomorrow for the next week which is the entire duration of how long I’ll be taking the progesterone. I search Reddit and the general consensus for the oral pill seems to be not great lol According to Google I should expect to be drowsy for a couple hours after taking it (which I have to do 3 times a day) and I’m worried I’m going to spend my entire vacation tired, anxious, bloated, and or depressed. I also kind of worry about irritability already because I’m in my luteal phase and I just don’t want to feel like a drag to my husband the whole time.
Also side note…I was really looking forward to having a nice piña colada on the beach or mojito with dinner (traveling to Puerto Rico) but Dr. Google says absolutely don’t drink alcohol which is a bit of a bummer..please don’t drag me for this, hubs and I have been trying for 3 years with no success so at this point I’m still enjoying a drink every now and again. Wouldn’t do it if I knew I was pregnant.

Does anybody have any advice? I know everyone reacts differently and I feel like I might be making it a bigger deal in my head than it really is but I’ve also been looking forward to this vacation for a long time and was looking forward to just…disconnecting from work and fertility troubles and having a carefree week with my husband. I’m even considering not taking the medication and putting it off til next month but I don’t want to piss off my doctor.

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[u/happygolucky226]

I’m def not your doc but if trying for a pregnancy I would do 200mg before bed max or you’ll feel sedated AF. Vaginal progesterone is another option with less side effects!

[u/karaboocuk]

Are you seeing an OB or fertility clinic? It kinda sounds like they are making up numbers. The CD21 test is only to confirm ovulation. Also, taking extra progesterone has not been shown to help with fertility issues.

[u/Sept2Nov → u/karaboocuk]

Yeah, I've been told progesterone of 12 is perfectly healthy at cd21 by re. So this is odd to me too

[u/ParsnipIll1660]

I only take it once a day so I don’t have the most relevant advice, but I will tell you my only real side effect is the moodiness and irritability. I bloat a bit on the first day but it dies down. I haven’t had dizziness but I take it right before bed.

[u/No_Oil_7116]

I took 2 pills at night and honestly it was fine. The first month I actually felt great 🤣 the only very noticeable for me looking back was more PMS type feelings like cramps and headaches and much more sore boobs. But I functioned like a normal person.

[u/FantasticFawns]

I take 200mg nightly vaginally and don’t experience many symptoms. It just amps up my normal luteal phase symptoms, so I feel bloated, somewhat fatigued, and have some sleep disruption, which then makes me feel moody, though it sounds like side effects can be more noticeable when taken orally. I also drink while taking it vaginally and have had zero issues.

I wonder if you could message your doctor about whether the prescribed formulation could be taken vaginally instead? This is not medical advice, but I also think it’s totally reasonable (and within your rights, as a patient) if you decide to hold off until you can ask your doctor more questions about the medication and side effects.

[u/Kvitravn875]

Weird that they want 20+. Over 10 is ideal. In medicated cycles, 15+ is ideal. Mine was 12 something and my doctor isn't concerned about it.