Endometrin vs. Crinone: 5 Things to Consider When Comparing These Vaginal Progesterones
Key takeaways:
Endometrin and Crinone are two forms of vaginal progesterone. They’re prescribed to help support a healthy pregnancy during fertility treatment. And both medications are similarly effective based on current clinical studies.
Endometrin is a vaginal tablet that’s inserted two to three times a day. Crinone is a vaginal gel that’s inserted one or two times a day. Crinone may require fewer daily doses than Endometrin. But Crinone can sometimes cause residue to build up in your vagina, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
Endometrin and Crinone offer a more comfortable alternative to painful progesterone injections. But in some cases, your fertility specialist may prefer injectable progesterone to vaginal options.
There are ways to save on Endometrin and Crinone. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help make Crinone more affordable. Patient assistance programs are also available.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Progesterone plays a vital role in pregnancy. The progesterone released by your ovaries prepares the lining of your uterus to receive and nourish a fertilized egg. Once you become pregnant, progesterone is made by the placenta to help support the health of both you and the developing embryo.
When progesterone levels are too low, it can be harder to become pregnant. Low progesterone can also raise your risk of a miscarriage. Because of this, progesterone is often prescribed as part of a fertility treatment plan.
Endometrin and Crinone are two common forms of progesterone prescribed to help improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. They’re both inserted vaginally, and while they share similarities, they have several differences to consider. Below are five things you need to know about Endometrin versus Crinone.
1. Endometrin and Crinone come in different dosage forms
One of the big differences between Endometrin and Crinone is the dosage form they come in.
Endometrin comes as a 100 mg vaginal insert (tablet). You’ll use the included disposable applicator to insert the tablet into your vagina. The applicator and tablet are packaged separately, so Endometrin requires some dexterity to insert the tablet into the applicator and administer it. You may notice some vaginal discharge while using Endometrin. Vaginal irritation is also possible.
Crinone comes as a vaginal gel in a prefilled applicator. For fertility support, It comes in an 8% dose that contains 90 mg of progesterone. It also comes in a 4% dose, typically prescribed to treat a menstrual disorder. Since it’s a gel, you may experience some leakage after using Crinone. And over time, residue can build up in your vagina. This may come out in small chunks, or you may need to manually remove it from time to time. Vaginal itching and irritation are also possible.
Some people prefer one dosage form over the other when it comes to comfort and ease of use. If one form of vaginal progesterone is causing uncomfortable vaginal irritation, your prescriber may try the other to see if you tolerate it better.
Progesterone and pregnancy: Learn all about the importance of progesterone in a healthy pregnancy and why it’s often included as part of fertility treatment plans.
IVF medication basics: Explore common IVF medications, including ways to save.
Fertility foods: Making some changes to your diet may help improve your fertility.
2. You’ll need to insert Endometrin more often than Crinone in most cases
If you use Endometrin, you’ll need to insert a vaginal tablet two to three times a day. It’s recommended to start Endometrin the day after egg removal and continue for up to 10 weeks. But your prescriber may adjust how long you use Endometrin based on your individual situation.
Crinone 8% is only inserted once or twice daily for up to 10 to 12 weeks in most cases. So it may be a more convenient option for some people, since it typically requires fewer daily doses than Endometrin.
3. Endometrin and Crinone are similarly effective
A 2018 clinical review found no difference in the safety or effectiveness of several different forms of vaginal progesterone, including Endometrin and Crinone. A study from 2008 directly comparing Endometrin to Crinone 8% found similar results. Both studies included a wide range of populations and ages.
The choice between Endometrin and Crinone largely comes down to cost and the preferences of you and your fertility care team.
4. Crinone is approved for other uses, Endometrin isn’t
As mentioned, Crinone comes in two different doses. Crinone 8% is generally prescribed as part of a fertility treatment plan for those needing progesterone supplementation or replacement.
Crinone 4% (45 mg of progesterone) is used to treat secondary amenorrhea. This is when you’ve gone 3 to 6 months without a monthly period. In contrast, Endometrin is only approved for progesterone supplementation during fertility treatments.
Good to know: You cannot use two doses of Crinone 4% to replace one dose of Crinone 8%. Your body can only absorb a certain amount of progesterone at one time. Two doses of Crinone 4% contain too much gel for your body to properly absorb. So you won’t get the full amount of progesterone you need.
5. Endometrin and Crinone may be a less painful alternative to progesterone injections
Injectable progesterone, also known as progesterone in oil, is another form of progesterone that’s often prescribed off-label during fertility treatments. It’s injected into the muscle once or twice daily, which can be painful and inconvenient for some people.
Vaginal progesterones, such as Endometrin and Crinone, offer a less painful option for some people. And in most cases, they seem to be similarly effective to injectable progesterone. So don’t hesitate to ask your fertility specialist if they’re an option for you.
Keep in mind that there’s some evidence that injectable progesterone may be more effective if you’re having a frozen embryo transfer. So there may be situations where your fertility care team prefers injectable progesterone to Endometrin or Crinone.
Ways to save on Endometrin and Crinone
Endometrin and Crinone are only available as brand-name medications. But GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Crinone’s price is as little as $15 if you use the manufacturer’s savings card.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Crinone’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication at no charge. Ferring, the manufacturer of Endometrin, also offers several programs to help you save on the cost of your medication.
The bottom line
Endometrin and Crinone are two types of vaginal progesterone. They’re used as part of fertility treatments to help support a healthy pregnancy. Endometrin and Crinone seem to be similarly effective for this use.
Endometrin is a vaginal tablet that’s inserted two to three times a day. Crinone is a vaginal gel that’s inserted once or twice a day. Crinone may be more convenient for some as it comes in a prefilled applicator and you may not need as many daily doses as Endometrin. But Crinone can cause residue to build up in your vagina, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
Endometrin and Crinone offer a more comfortable alternative to progesterone injections. But they’re not always a preferred option. Your fertility specialist can help you decide on the best form of progesterone for your needs.
Why trust our experts?
References
Allergan, Inc. (2019). Crinone- progesterone gel [package insert].
Beltsos, A. N., et al. (2014). Patients' administration preferences: Progesterone vaginal insert (Endometrin) compared to intramuscular progesterone for luteal phase support. Reproductive Health.
Bulletti, C., et al. (2022). Progesterone: The key factor of the beginning of life. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Check, J. H. (2009). Luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology treatment: Focus on endometrin(R) (progesterone) vaginal insert. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.
Child, T., et al. (2018). Systematic review of the clinical efficacy of vaginal progesterone for luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology cycles. Reproductive BioMedicine Online.
Devine, K. (2021). Intramuscular progesterone optimizes live birth from programmed frozen embryo transfer: A randomized clinical trial. Fertility and Sterility.
Doody, K. J., et al. (2009). Endometrin for luteal phase support in a randomized, controlled, open-label, prospective in-vitro fertilization trial using a combination of Menopur and Bravelle for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertility and Sterility.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2022). Endometrin- progesterone insert [package insert].
Haas, D. M., et al. (2019). Progestogen for preventing miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriage of unclear etiology. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Herrick, E. J., et al. (2023). Embryology, placenta. StatPearls.
Lord, M., et al. (2022). Secondary amenorrhea. StatPearls.
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.