Progesterone (17P) and the Benefits

Progesterone is a hormone which plays a vital role during pregnancy.  Early in pregnancy progesterone helps the uterus grow and keeps it from contracting. Later in the pregnancy progesterone helps a woman’s breast produce breast milk and also aid in delivering oxygen to the growing baby. Progesterone comes in two types of treatment vaginal progesterone and progesterone shots. Progesterone treatment is not for women who are pregnant with multiples such as twins or triplets.

Vaginal progesterone can help decrease the risk of premature birth if a woman has a short cervix and pregnant with one baby. Vaginal progesterone comes in a gel, a suppository, or a capsule.  This form of treatment can start as early as 24 weeks of pregnancy and can continue up to 37 weeks. There are no known side effects for the mother or baby.  Research on mothers and babies showed no increase in congenital disabilities or developmental problems in the first four years of life.

Progesterone shots aid in reducing the risk of premature birth if a woman had a premature birth previously and if a woman had a spontaneous premature birth before and were pregnant with one baby. Spontaneous refers to labor beginning on its own without any drugs, other methods, and the sac around the baby broke early.  Progesterone shots can start within 16-24 weeks of pregnancy and be given once a week until 37 weeks of pregnancy.  The injections are offered in two methods a brand drug called Makena and Prepared (also known as compounded) at select pharmacies. Prepared is only provided if a woman has certain health conditions such as an allergy.

Some insurance companies and state Medicaid programs have assistance for paying for the shots. In conclusion, progesterone shots do not always prevent premature birth and do not reduce a woman chance of giving birth early if the previous premature birth was not spontaneous. If interesting in learning more about progesterone treatments such as 17P consultant with a healthcare provider regarding safety, side effects, and to determine if progesterone treatments are right for you.