I take Duphaston my chest doesn't hurt

Description of the drug

The active component of Duphaston is dydrogesterone. Auxiliary ingredients include: lactose, starch and various salts.

The drug is produced in the form of tablets.

Duphaston is the most modern medicine. The drug in its pharmacological properties is very close to physiological progesterone and has a high similarity to its receptors.

Due to its lack of androgenic, glucocorticoid, estrogen and antimineralocorticoid effects, manufacturers have avoided negative effects on fetal development during pregnancy.

Duphaston can be prescribed in all age groups with a lack of progesterone. Use during menopause to replace the lack of the hormone dydrogesterone does not affect the estrogenic effects. Its effect on fat metabolism also persists. Dydrogesterone does not have an unnecessary effect on the blood coagulation system, without provoking thrombus formation. And does not interfere with carbohydrate metabolism and liver function.

The medicine does not have contraceptive properties. The instructions for use of Duphaston specify that it does not affect menstruation and ovulation processes. Pregnancy may occur while taking the drug. This fact is not an indication for its interruption. During pregnancy, the use of the drug is possible.

Benefit or harm?

Among specialists from different countries, debates continue about the use of this medication during an interesting situation in a woman.

Some are of the opinion that the hormonal drug is completely safe for both the expectant mother and the baby . As for others, they advocate stopping the use of Duphaston during pregnancy.

We also recommend reading: Insomnia during pregnancy: causes, treatment

About eight years ago, British experts banned pregnant women from using the medication, since its components are of synthetic origin.

In addition, they added that such hormones have not yet been studied enough and it is possible that they can cause harm to two organisms, especially to the baby, causing developmental disorders.

If you pay attention to the opinion of Russian doctors, they claim that Duphaston does not pose any threat during early pregnancy.

Moreover, the instructions do not indicate that this hormonal drug can cause any harm to the baby or the expectant mother.

In turn, the instructions for Duphaston during pregnancy state that the drug can be taken under the supervision of a gynecologist until the twentieth week, and then it is gradually withdrawn.

In the case when a woman takes Duphaston as prescribed by a doctor, and before that her hormonal levels were tested, the medication is completely safe.

If you trust the reviews of pregnant women who were prescribed this drug, then they assume that the body tolerates this hormonal drug quite easily, and it does not have a negative effect on the baby.

It is dangerous to use the medication independently, without the prescription of a gynecologist. Since it must be consumed in precise dosages, failure to do so can lead to dire consequences.

Particular attention should be paid to the use of Duphaston when planning pregnancy, since before prescribing the required dosage, the doctor checks the woman’s basal temperature and conducts a hormone test.

Moreover, when planning a child, pills should be taken based on the woman’s ovulation, since if this rule is not followed, the consequence may be that the drug will act as a contraceptive.

Why take

Why is Duphaston prescribed in each specific case? Its action depends on the situation.

When planning a pregnancy, a woman needs to be tested for the level of progesterone in her blood. If it is underestimated, the doctor will prescribe Duphaston as the main treatment. It will speed up conception and contribute to an easy pregnancy in the first 3-4 months.

There are several cases when treatment with Duphaston is mandatory:

1. If conception does not occur for a long time or pregnancy occurs. Often the cause of such situations is luteal insufficiency. According to statistics, it provokes about 40% of all miscarriages. This is a disease in which the corpus luteum malfunctions. The uterine mucosa does not produce the required amount of nutrients. Duphaston is prescribed in order to restore the functions of the mucous membrane and, as a result, return the functioning of the corpus luteum to normal.
2. There is a phenomenon called recurrent miscarriage. It occurs due to malfunctions of the hormonal system. Duphaston in such cases restores hormonal levels. It is prescribed during pregnancy planning and taken until the end of the first trimester.
3. Threat of miscarriage and miscarriage. In 90% of cases, the cause of their appearance is a reduced level of progesterone in the mother’s body. For such pathologies, Duphaston is prescribed in order to maintain pregnancy.
4. If a woman has experienced a frozen pregnancy in the past, Duphaston is prescribed both during the planning period and in the early stages. It helps the embryo to gain a foothold in the uterus, grow and develop properly.

In most cases, Duphaston helps to overcome this disease:

• The main active ingredient affects endometrial receptors, preventing its rapid growth. However, the menstrual cycle does not change.
• Abnormal endometrial cells can develop into cancer cells. Duphaston is prescribed to minimize the risk of such changes.
• Despite the fact that Duphaston affects the endometrium, it does not in any way interfere with the onset of pregnancy and the consolidation of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

How the drug works

The thing is that progesterone is a hormone that is responsible for all processes in the female body that are somehow related to pregnancy. Progesterone in the female body regulates the menstrual cycle, conception, bearing a child, and also during its birth. Progesterone deficiency refers to a reduced level of this hormone in a woman’s body, which is why pregnancy simply cannot occur. That is, the body is neither theoretically nor practically prepared for conceiving and bearing a child.

In order to solve this problem, it is not enough to artificially increase the level of progesterone, since such increase in progesterone actually has very little benefit; in 90% of cases, pregnancy still does not occur, and this is due to the fact that the female body is not physically ready for conception, based on a number of indirect signs, he independently draws a conclusion about this.

In order not only to increase the level of progesterone in the blood, but, most importantly, to force the body to start producing more of this hormone, doctors often prescribe the drug duphaston. When planning a pregnancy, Duphaston is a kind of lifesaver for married couples because with almost one hundred percent probability it qualitatively solves the problem of progesterone deficiency, thereby allowing your family to finally get the desired pregnancy.

In order to understand what happens in a woman’s body after taking the drug, let’s consider its pharmacological properties. The active substance (international name) of duphaston is dydrogesterone. The main pharmacological property of duphaston is the onset of the secretion phase in the endometrium. Prescribed when low levels of progesterone in the blood are detected in a woman planning to become pregnant. Unlike pure progesterone, dydrogesterone does not have the side effects of its natural counterpart - sedative, anxiolytic, tocolytic, etc.

It is worth noting that duphaston is prescribed not only for the diagnosis of “infertility”; there are several other ailments for which this drug is the only treatment or is part of a set of necessary measures to eliminate a particular disease:

1. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

2. Luteal insufficiency. This is a type of infertility associated with a decrease in the activity of progesterone production.

3. Irregular menstruation.

4. Threat of miscarriage.

5. Dysmenorrhea is the collective name for severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Often accompanied by vomiting, upset stomach, low blood pressure, and dizziness.

6. Endometriosis is the growth of the inner layer of the uterus outward. As a result of this disease, inflammatory processes in the uterus may constantly occur, which may be one of the causes of infertility.

7. Uterine bleeding (with its dysfunction).

The convenience of using duphaston when planning pregnancy is that it is compatible with all known medications and food products. During clinical trials of the drug, as well as during the use of duphaston everywhere, there were no cases of incompatibility with any other drugs. In addition, an overdose of duphaston is also not fraught with consequences, since the drug has virtually no effect on the liver and is perfectly excreted by the kidneys. If it so happens that you have severely overdosed on the drug while taking it, it will be enough to simply rinse your stomach as if you were suffering from ordinary food poisoning.

Use for PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of pathological disorders (vegetative-vascular, psychoneurological, neuroendocrine and others) that appear in the second phase of the cycle. There are several clinical forms of PMS. The main ones:

• edematous – accompanied by peripheral edema;
• cephalgic – the dominant symptom is headache;
• neuropsychic – psychoemotional disorders predominate;
• crisis - manifested by increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.

Treatment can vary. Sedatives, diuretics, and antihypertensive drugs are often prescribed. This is symptomatic therapy. Combined oral contraceptives are most often used as pathogenetic treatment. But some women are planning a pregnancy. Birth control pills are contraindicated for them. In this case, Duphaston can be used. It is prescribed from days 11 to 25 of the menstrual cycle at 20 mg per day, in 2 divided doses.

Drug dosage

To begin with, it is worth noting that one tablet is usually taken at a time. It should be washed down with plenty of water. Taking the drug does not depend at all on eating food. Like all hormones, this medicine must be taken strictly at the same time. Try not to miss the next tablet, as otherwise the effect of the substance will be reduced and the therapeutic effect will not reach its maximum.

For hormonal diseases

In the case of treatment of endometriosis or with an irregular cycle, the patient is prescribed to take the drug from days 5 to 25 of the cycle. The medicine must be taken one tablet twice a day. In this case, it is necessary to divide the day into two equal parts and take the medicine at equal intervals. Only in this way can you achieve maximum concentration of the substance in the body.

In this case, the drug is prescribed for one week. The patient should take one tablet twice a day at regular intervals.

In case of prolonged absence of menstruation

PMS and irregular periods

In this case, taking the medicine begins on the 11th day and continues until the 25th day. You need to take the medicine twice a day, one capsule.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, this medicine is prescribed in case of progesterone deficiency. If a woman starts bleeding, she needs to take 4 tablets at a time. After this, it is recommended to take the medicine one capsule every 8 hours. When the symptoms disappear, the hormonal drug can be discontinued, but close monitoring must be done to ensure that the symptoms do not recur.

If a pregnant woman is found to have a lack of progesterone, the drug is prescribed to be taken twice a day, one tablet. In this case, discontinuation of the drug can be carried out only after the formation of the placenta is complete, at approximately 20 weeks.

Side effects during use

Unfortunately, long-term use of the drug can also affect a woman’s psyche. An unpleasant side effect in this case is depression. In this case, there are symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, lethargy, lack of mood and desire to do anything.

Once in the human blood, progesterone also affects the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, women often complain of a feeling of nausea, but vomiting is observed in isolated cases.

Unfortunately, if it turns out that the pills are not suitable for you or they were prescribed incorrectly, this can lead to breakthrough bleeding from the uterus, which can occur as a result of an insufficient dose being prescribed. In addition, women note increased breast sensitivity.

Learn more about the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

Did you know? A healthy woman produces about 220 mg of progesterone in one menstrual cycle of 28 days, and in a year this figure is about 2600 mg.

Indications for use of Duphaston

Indications for taking Duphaston are conditions with proven or suspected progesterone deficiency in a woman’s body:

1. Insufficiency of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle;
2. Threatened or incipient miscarriage;
3. Habitual miscarriage;
4. Endometriosis;
5. Premenstrual syndrome;
6. Painful menstruation;
7. Irregular menstruation.

The drug is also used in combination with estrogens for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and secondary amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for more than 6 months).

If a woman has her ovaries removed, but the uterus is present, Duphaston is used as hormonal replacement therapy.

Other instructions

When taking Duphaston with drugs from the group of microsomal liver enzymes, which include phenobarbital, rifampicin, the effectiveness of the drug decreases. These medications speed up the metabolism of progesterone drugs.

No cases of drug overdose have been recorded.

When consuming a dose exceeding that prescribed by the doctor, it is necessary to rinse the stomach. If symptoms of poisoning occur, symptomatic therapy may be performed. There is no antidote to Duphaston.

In order to study the properties of the drug, manufacturers have conducted a large number of studies. Their results are inspiring.

When Duphaston is prescribed correctly during pregnancy, the following is observed:

1. Reducing the incidence of circulatory failure between mother and fetus.
2. Reducing the likelihood of premature birth.
3. Children are less likely to be diagnosed with underweight.
4. The likelihood of damage to the baby’s brain due to intrauterine oxygen deficiency also decreases.
5. The likelihood of having healthy children increased by 30%.

Duphaston tablets are often prescribed when using in vitro fertilization technology. In this group of women, there is a high risk of miscarriage due to a lack of progesterone. Therefore, in the first trimester it is necessary to introduce an exogenous hormone. Also, the use of Duphaston helps prepare the inner lining of the uterus, which increases the likelihood of a fertilized egg attaching to it.

Indications for use

Quite often, this drug is prescribed to the fairer sex as hormonal therapy. In this case, the doctor’s goal is to stop the influence of estrogen hormones on the female endometrium. Quite often this method is resorted to during menopause. This technique helps reduce the risk of cancer.

Women with menstrual bleeding disorders, irregularity and frequent occurrences are prescribed this drug.

During pregnancy, quite often women have to take this drug. In this case, the main goal is to maintain the functioning of the corpus luteum and replenish the missing level of progesterone.

Duphaston

Hyperplasia and endometrial cancer:

In women with an intact uterus, the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer increases with long-term estrogen monotherapy. Cyclic use of progestogens, incl. dydrogesterone (at least 12 days of a 28-day cycle), or the use of a sequential combined HRT regimen in women with a preserved uterus may prevent the increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer with estrogen monotherapy.

Mammary cancer:

Available evidence suggests that the risk of breast cancer is increased in women treated with estrogen-progestogen HRT, and possibly also with estrogen monotherapy. The level of risk depends on the duration of HRT. The results of an epidemiological study and the WHI study (Women's Health Initiative study) confirm an increased risk of developing breast cancer in women taking drugs containing a combination of estrogen and progesterone as part of HRT. The risk increases after approximately 3 years of use, but returns to the mean within a few (usually five) years after the end of therapy. While taking drugs for HRT, especially with combined therapy with estrogens and progestogens, an increase in the density of breast tissue during mammography may be observed, which can make it difficult to diagnose breast cancer.

Ovarian cancer:

Ovarian cancer is much less common than breast cancer. Epidemiological data obtained from a large meta-analysis suggest a small increase in risk for women receiving HRT as estrogen monotherapy or combination therapy with estrogens and progestogens. An increase in this risk becomes apparent with treatment duration of more than 5 years, and after its cessation the risk gradually decreases over time. The results of a number of other studies, incl. WHI indicate that combined HRT is associated with a similar or slightly lower risk of ovarian cancer.

Venous thromboembolism:

HRT is associated with a 1.3- to 3-fold increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), i.e. deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The likelihood is highest in the first year of HRT than in subsequent years. Patients with established thrombophilia have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism, and HRT may increase the risk. For this reason, HRT is contraindicated in such patients. Risk factors for venous thromboembolism include estrogen use, advanced age, major surgery, prolonged immobilization, obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2), pregnancy, the postpartum period, systemic lupus erythematosus and cancer. There is no clear data on the possible role of varicose veins in the development of venous thromboembolism.

How to use

The dosage of the drug depends on the specific case.

• For irregularities in the menstrual cycle, Duphaston is prescribed 10 mg 2 times a day. Time of admission – 11-25th day of the cycle. In difficult cases, treatment is indicated from the first day. If menstruation does not begin, conception has occurred. It can be confirmed or refuted using a test. If it is negative, Duphaston is canceled according to the schedule. Your period will arrive within 10 days.
• To improve the condition of the endometrium and prevent the appearance of cysts, Duphaston is taken 2-3 times a day from the 5th to the 25th day of the cycle. The approximate course of treatment is six months.
• If conception does not occur due to luteal insufficiency, you need to drink 10 mg once a day from the 14th to the 25th day of the cycle. Treatment, as in the previous case, lasts 6 months.
• If recurrent miscarriage occurs, Duphaston is needed. When conception has occurred, it is drunk until the 20th week, after which it is gradually discontinued. A single dose is 40 mg. All subsequent doses are 10 mg. The interval between doses is 8 hours. The period of admission is several days.

Duphaston is a synthetic hormone that has a huge effect on a woman’s body. It not only restores the endometrium and promotes its renewal, but also prevents the formation of cysts and polyps in the uterus. Duphaston promotes conception and fixation of the embryo in the uterus, after which the fetus can grow and develop. Thanks to it, the risk of premature birth is minimized.

This drug normalizes the menstrual cycle and restores a woman's ability to have children. But it is worth remembering that this is a hormonal medicine, and it should only be prescribed by a doctor.

About the drug

The drug Duphaston is used in the following cases, if a diagnosis is established and there are grounds:

• endometriosis;
• infertility;
• recurrent miscarriage;
• threat of miscarriage;
• disruption of the menstrual cycle;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• amenorrhea (usually secondary);
• uterine bleeding;
• support in the application of techniques in reproductology;
• to stop menstrual flow during pregnancy;
• for the need to stimulate an increase in the size of the uterine cavity;
• preparation for conception.

Duphaston drug

There are also contraindications to the use of the drug, these include:

• breastfeeding period;
• allergic reaction to the composition;
• lactase deficiency, glucose intolerance;
• bleeding of unknown etiology;
• malignant neoplasms;
• age up to 18 years.

In some cases, side effects may occur:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• uterine bleeding;
• swelling of the mammary glands;
• soreness of the mammary glands.

What side effects can a woman expect?

How is it possible to use Duphaston during an interesting situation if it has side effects? Like any other medication, a synthetic hormone in tablet form has some effect on a woman’s body.

We also recommend reading: Dental treatment during pregnancy

If a woman has noticed some changes in her state of health while using this drug, then she should inform her doctor about this. Some expectant mothers may experience vomiting, severe headaches, and nausea.

As for isolated cases, body temperature may rise or an allergic reaction may occur. If we talk about the last side effect, it only appears when a woman is intolerant to one of the components of Duphaston.

Paying attention to the statistics, 93 percent of pregnant girls do not experience any side effects at all.

Particular attention should be paid to the rules for using hormonal medications for those women who have previously taken birth control pills, since the combination of estrogen and progesterone can cause a pathology such as thrombophlebitis.

Very often you may encounter a case where women who are planning to conceive a child refuse to take Duphaston, which was prescribed to them by a specialist.

It is worth saying that this is strictly forbidden, because this synthetic hormone has already helped many women overcome infertility and bear fruit without problems.

But in order for the cherished dream of conceiving and carrying a baby to come true, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist who will study the state of the pregnant woman’s body, her hormonal levels, and the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug.

Having passed some tests and received the results, you can be sure that the fairer sex who will take Duphaston will not have allergic reactions. As for synthetic progesterone, it can perfectly preserve a pregnancy that is subject to miscarriage.

The only thing that is required from the expectant mother is strict adherence to the instructions and dosage prescribed by the specialist. As for the period when the expectant mother needs to stop taking Duphaston, only a doctor can inform her about this.

It is strictly forbidden to stop taking hormone tablets overnight, as this will negatively affect the development of the embryo, the pregnant woman, and can even cause the death of the baby in the later stages of pregnancy.

And this happens due to the fact that the amount of hormone in the expectant mother’s body sharply decreases, which leads to relaxation of the muscles of the cervix and mucous membrane, and the reproductive organ itself is unable to hold the fetus.

Using Duphaston before the nineteenth gynecological week of pregnancy, the female body itself will be able to produce the required amount of the hormone, therefore the twentieth week of an interesting situation begins with the cessation of this hormonal medication.

We also recommend reading: Discharge during pregnancy

It must be added that the favorable course of pregnancy will depend precisely on the woman’s compliance with all the rules.

When pregnancy has already occurred

Why is Duphaston prescribed to pregnant women:

1. During pregnancy, the drug reduces the tone of the uterus, which can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
2. Participates in preparing the breast for feeding.
3. Helps the body accumulate fat necessary for bearing a child.
4. Stops the process of removing the fertilized egg from the uterus (spontaneous abortion).
5. Improves the condition of the endometrium.

Disturbances may occur in the functioning of a woman's reproductive system. They are caused by different reasons. Most often, violations relate to the menstrual cycle. These are dysmenorrhea (severe pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation), severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), amenorrhea (no menstruation).

How does Duphaston combat these problems? Regular menstruation is a sign that a woman’s body clearly performs all its functions. The duration of the menstrual cycle is on average 28 days. If after this time there are no periods, then a failure has occurred. It is usually caused by disturbances in the hormonal system, in particular a lack of progesterone. Duphaston is prescribed to bring the menstrual cycle back to normal.

What does a proper cycle look like? In the second week of the cycle, the ovarian membrane ruptures, after which a mature egg emerges. At the same time, the corpus luteum appears, which is responsible for the production of progesterone. A sufficient amount of it triggers such important processes as growth and renewal of the endometrium. It also allows the body to carry a child.

The moment progesterone levels return to normal, the menstrual cycle becomes regular. Sometimes disturbances in the hormonal system lead to the appearance of tumors. Cysts form in the cavity of the corpus luteum. They will resolve on their own if there is enough female hormone in the body. Otherwise, the cyst will continue to grow. In this case, taking Duphaston is mandatory.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease associated, again, with disturbances in the hormonal system. Duphaston is prescribed to normalize hormonal levels.

Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome are more at risk of miscarriage than others. In the early stages, they may experience a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Premature birth or isthmic-cervical insufficiency (the cervix can no longer hold the fetus in the womb) often occurs.