What Does Progesterone In Oil Mean?
Progesterone in oil (PIO) is an injectable form of the hormone progesterone that is sometimes used as part of the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a woman is preparing for an embryo transfer.
Progesterone in oil (PIO) is an injectable form of the hormone progesterone that is sometimes used as part of the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a woman is preparing for an embryo transfer.
Progesterone is a primary pregnancy hormone that helps to prepare a plush inner lining of the uterus required for implantation of an embryo. PIO is an injectable form of progesterone combined with oil to allow the body to absorb it easier.
PIO formulation raises the serum progesterone concentrations at a relatively higher rate compared to the vaginal route which usually yields lower serum levels of progesterone but higher progesterone concentrations in the inner lining of the uterus.
Because PIO injections are very viscose, a larger gauge needle is used which can be painful, and can cause bruising and skin irritation. The type of progesterone used by your reproductive endocrinologist may vary depending on whether you are having a fresh or frozen embryo transfer and whether you are doing a natural or synthetic cycle.
PIO can either be injected by the patient themselves or by a helper, which may be easier. The steps of using a PIO vial often look like:
Other than the side effects mentioned above, PIO injections can cause headaches, nausea, increased body/facial hair, and weight gain/loss.
Synonyms
Progesterone Shot, Progesterone In Oil Shot, Progesterone Injection, Progesterone In Oil Injection