QuestionHello,
I am a 32 year old female that has had one live birth with no difficulties (my daughter is 4) and following our daughter I had 2 miscarriages. It has been over 1 1/2 years since the last miscarriage and getting pregnant this time has been very difficult. I have a mild case of PCOS. My insulin resistance is normal. My androgens are elevated.
I am currently a little over 4 weeks pregnant. My Dr. prescribed progesterone suppositories and estradiol. My concern is that the estradiol package insert states that it may cause the significant problems to the fetus and newborn. I have not found any evidence that the progesterone will cause any harm. Is it ok to just take the progesterone and not the estradiol?
What are your thoughts?
Alberta, Canada
AnswerHello Shannon from Canada,
Yes it is okay to take supplemental estrogen and progesterone to help your pregnancy. We do that all the time with fertility treatments. Congratulations on the pregnancy. All medications have warnings about the use in pregnancy because that is a litigation risk, at least it is in the U.S. That does not mean that they are contraindicated. It is only the pharmaceutical companies way of protecting itself.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf
