Progesterone shots are administered to women normally during pregnancy, menstrual period, or after In-Vitro Fertilization. These shots are supplementary measures for progesterone deficiency. Here’s more…
Progesterone is a female steroid hormone that is produced during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and embryogenesis. The hormone is secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary during implantation of the fetus in the uterus. Synthetic progesterone has a similar chemical structure as natural progesterone synthesized in the body. It performs a similar activity inside the body once it gets absorbed by the bloodstream. After progesterone shots are administered, they bind to the progesterone receptors and mimic the activity of the hormone naturally produced.
Why are Progesterone Shots Injected?
Progesterone shots were developed to supplement deficiency of the hormone during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Today, advancement of science has led to the development of micronized crystals, capable of getting absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Hormone replacement therapy involving critical techniques is being replaced with progesterone shots. Progesterone stabilizes the lining of the uterus, thereby imposing control on menstrual bleeding. Inadequate progesterone leads to heavy bleeding. The effect can be reversed if progesterone levels increase beyond normal.
These shots are also administered intramuscularly one day after IVF egg retrieval or IUD. The dosage lasts for 10 – 12 weeks of the pregnancy. The shots help sustain pregnancy after IVF. It keeps the fetus safe till the time of delivery. Adequate progesterone level is vital for survival of the baby. When women face the difficulty to produce adequate progesterone, they carry the risk of shedding the wall of the uterus, leading to preterm labor and miscarriage. Therefore, artificial injections of progesterone becomes essential for a safe pregnancy. They are also used to treat infertility.
Procedure
Administration of progesterone should be done by doctors and not by inexperienced hands. The steps mentioned below shall let you know the clinical technique for this procedure.
- The most important thing before injecting progesterone is washing of the hands. Experts rinse their hands and fingernails with disinfectants so that no disease is spread. Then the hands are dried with the help of a clean towel.
- The cap is carefully removed from the progesterone vial and the rubber stopper of the vial is cleaned with alcohol.
- Now, the needle is attached to the syringe. Touching the needle with the fingers is not allowed in order to avoid contamination. Immense care is taken for this.
- The plunger of the syringe is pulled to take up air up to the 1cc mark. Then, the needle is dipped in the progesterone vial to suck the desired amount. The dose is predetermined. The extra drops need to drip in the vial before injecting. The plunger is pulled back to draw the remaining progesterone from the vial.
- Progesterone is usually injected intramuscularly, and at typical injection sites like outer quadrant of the buttocks and upper thighs.
- The person is allowed to sit or stand while injecting in the thighs. For administering in the buttocks, the person is allowed to lie on one side. The surrounding area is held tightly and then the hormone is injected in a dart-like motion.
- The plunger is puller back slightly to ensure that no blood is drained into the needle. The entire contents are injected at one shot in the muscle if there’s no trace of blood and then withdrawn quickly.
- The needle cap is laid on the table and the needle is inserted back into the cap. The needle is disposed off so that it’s not reused.
Side Effects
Progesterone shots, though helpful during pregnancy and menstruation, might lead to certain side effects. The medication might cause nausea, vomiting, and depression during the first few days. Side effects during menstruation include increased vaginal secretions, breast tenderness and pain, fluid retention, and irritation. Progesterone shots during IVF might cause abdominal pain and cramping around the vaginal area. You must visit a doctor immediately if the vomiting is persistent, or if swelling of the legs, numbness in body parts, chest pain, fainting, and vision changes exist. These side effects call for immediate treatment.
Immense precaution should be taken while administering these shots. Present the previous treatment reports to the doctor if you are suffering from any health disorders like kidney malfunction, liver diseases, or heart diseases. Follow the after-therapy measures suggested by the doctor for effective results.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.
