Who Are You on Progesterone? A Personality Quiz (Just Kidding… Kind Of)
IVF comes with a lot of decisions. Which clinic? How many embryos to transfer? Should I tell anyone? But one choice some people actually get is: What kind of progesterone are you going to use before and after your transfer?
Now, some clinics will make this decision for you—based on your protocol, labs, history, and all that science-y stuff. But for others, your doctor might hand you a list of options and say, “Let me know what you prefer.”
Prefer?? As in choose how I want to experience one of the messiest, weirdest, most crucial parts of IVF?
This is where I like to imagine the progesterone options like personalities at a party. So… who are you on progesterone?
Think of this as your unofficial, definitely-not-medically-approved personality guide to progesterone.
The IM Shot Girl (PIO: Progesterone in Oil)
A.K.A. The Warrior Queen in Leggings
You are not here to mess around. You show up to every appointment 10 minutes early with a reusable water bottle, snacks labeled with macros, and the ability to quote your follicle counts from memory.
You fear no needle—even the one that looks like it belongs in a horse tranquilizer kit. You’ve got a heating pad on standby, an ice pack for pre-injection numbing, and maybe even a partner who has learned how to stab you in the butt with precision and tenderness. 💘
Your vibe: main character in a survival drama, calmly delivering a monologue while removing your own splinter.
Pros: One and done for the day. Reliable. No discharge. No fuss once it’s in.
Cons: It’s hard to give yourself. It’s hard for your partner to give you. It’s hard, period. (Also: lumpy butt. Sorry.). Travel plans must revolve around your syringe stash.
The Gel Goddess (Crinone)
A.K.A. The Luxe, Mysterious Herbalist Who Also Reads Lab Results
You love the idea of a hormone delivery system that feels a little… spa-like. Maybe you have houseplants with names. Maybe your bathrobe has a hood. Either way, you want something smooth, no needles involved, and ideally something with less trauma to your butt cheeks.
You’re okay with the “insert and glow” method… until day five, when the glow becomes more like a chalky, stringy mystery. (Let’s not even talk about cleanup.)
Your vibe: Earthy and ethereal with a hint of I will absolutely cry if this gets on my favorite underwear.
Pros: No injections. Feels low-effort in theory.
Cons: The residue. THE RESIDUE. Also, you might find yourself scraping out clumps while wondering if your dignity is somewhere inside your uterus. And maybe clear your search history after googling “Crinone clumps cottage cheese help.”
The Endometrin Enthusiast
A.K.A. The Reluctant Heroine With a Purse Full of Pantyliners
You didn’t ask for this journey, but here you are—standing strong, tablet applicator in hand, wearing your best “I guess we’re doing this again” face.
You might insert it once a day. Maybe twice. Maybe three times if your doctor is feeling ambitious. But you do it with grace (or at least resignation). You’ve got travel-sized packs of pantyliners in every bag. You’ve texted your partner “BRB, gotta go insert my chalk torpedo.” You’re over it, but you’re also in it.
And let’s be real: there’s something main character about managing this whole situation, holding down your job, your appointments, your calendar reminders… all while wearing your cutest (semi-ruined) underwear.
Your vibe: The emotionally complex lead in a Netflix dramedy, trying to stay optimistic while Googling "can progesterone tablets fall out and ruin everything?"
Pros: No needles. Easy enough to insert. Pretty consistent if you stay on top of it.
Cons: The constant discharge. The invisible dread of needing a private bathroom in public. The fact that you’re doing something “gentle” that doesn’t feel gentle at all.
My Personal Progesterone Story
(A Little TMI, But It’s Relevant)
I was lucky enough to get a choice. The idea of those oil shots made me want to run for the hills, so I chose Endometrin. Was it glamorous? Not in the slightest. I was on it for sixteen weeks—yes, sixteen—and I truly believe I may have set some sort of clinic record for the longest time a doctor waited before saying, “Okay, your body seems to get it now.”
I used the little applicator like a pro. I stashed backup pantyliners like a squirrel preparing for progesterone winter. I got used to the white-ish discharge, the awkward sensation of something melting its way back out of me, and the joy of trying to feel confident in yoga pants when you’re basically a walking progesterone popsicle.
But I did it. And somehow, knowing that I wasn’t alone in the weirdness made it all a little easier.
The Emotional Weight of This Choice
Here’s the thing: it’s not really about the progesterone. It’s about the fear. The fear that if you mess this up, everything could fall apart.
You might worry the shot didn’t go deep enough. That the suppository slid out. That you’re not doing it right—even though you’re doing your absolute best.
Please hear this: the method of progesterone isn’t what determines your worth, your strength, or your success. It’s okay to hate this part. It’s okay to laugh about it. And it’s definitely okay to ask questions and advocate for what works best for your body.
So, Which Progesterone Persona Are You?
Are you the Shot Queen with bruises of honor? The Gel Goddess with a backup pair of underwear in your car? The Suppository Survivor calculating your bathroom schedule like it’s rocket science?
Whichever one you are—you’re not alone.
And if you’re craving a space to talk through all of this—without being told to “just relax” or “trust the process”—I’m here.
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I specialize in infertility counseling and mental health support during IVF. Whether you're in Boston, Providence, New Haven, Seattle, or Tacoma, you don’t have to carry this alone.
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