2nd Infertility, very low progesterone...in need of hope and support please.

[Fairylights]

Hello,

I'm very new to the forum so please bare with me, hopefully I'm doing this right.

So my son is nearly 3 and just after his 1st Birthday we started trying for #2. I fell pregnant very quickly with my son despite being warned many years ago that due to my irregular cycles and an ultrasound suggesting I had pcos that it would take me a few years to get pregnant. So we were very shocked and delighted that it happened on our first attempt (sorry, tmi!)

So here I am now, nearly 2 years of ttc and with no success. I've been to my dr and had some blood tests which showed my progesterone levels to be really low - under 10 for about 7 consecutive weeks. I've had a private ultrasound recently which didn't show any cysts and in fact I had lots of follicles present on each ovary and the sonographer felt maybe I didn't have pcos. My husband has had a semen analysis recently and his sperm count was fine but morphology was slightly abnormal and so this is to be repeated.

Any advice regarding increasing progesterone? Anybody in similar scenarios? Should we start to consider treatment? (Still waiting to be referred to gynae).

Thanks for reading!

 

[MrsS15]

Hi fairylights, welcome to PF!

I'm in a similar situation. We have an 8year old son who we got pregnant with very easily. We've now been ttc almost 2 years with no luck! My GP done all the basic tests available and apart from not ovulating consistently there didn't seem to be an issue with. My husband also had a sperm analysis which was great. We've now went private as we were told because we had a child already we wouldn't get offered any help even if an issue was discovered. We went to see a private consultant in December and discovered I have a very low egg reserve for my age so we're going ahead with IVF within the next month or 2 - everything has moved very quickly and I can't fault the care!

When were your progesterone levels taken? Do they show you aren't ovulating? What did the GP recommend regarding your progesterone?

I would definitely find out if you'll be entitled to treatment, I know it can vary from area to area but when you already have a child fertility treatment isn't offered. If you aren't ovulating then you would be entitled to trying things like clomid. Fertility appointments on the NHS can be very slow but fingers crossed your gynae appointment comes through quick xxx

 

[Fairylights]

Hey MrsS15,

Thanks for your message, it means a lot that you've taken the time to reply.

I have very irregular and long cycles so it has always been difficult to establish when I'm ovulating - if I even do. I had the blood tests over a period of 7/8 weeks and in the middle of that I did have a period and yet my progesterone levels stayed well under 10 with each test and show that in that time frame I didn't appear to ovulate.

I haven't found my GP to be hugely supportive. I went to her after a year of ttc and they basically just said well we can't do anything until it's been 2years and sent me on my way. I decided to see another Dr at my surgery a few months later and thankfully she instigated the blood tests and said she will refer us once my husband has done two sperm samples - that process in itself appears to be drawn out quite a bit.

What tests did you have to have when you saw the private consultant?
Very please for you that things are progressing quickly for you now with regards to IVF, I think we are keen to see a private fertility consultant too and with what you've said is given the final nudge of encouragement to book an appointment.

Thinking of you, thanks again.

 

[MrsS15]

No problem at all, I've been in your position and know how reassuring just a reply over a forum can be!

I've rarely heard of anyone saying their GP was helpful. I went back and forward to my GP for months until she finally done things for us. I've also had 2 miscarriages in that time so I think it was after the second one that she decided to help. Through my GP I've had a pelvic ultrasound and numerous bloods and my husband had a sperm analysis. Apart from not consistently ovulating she couldn't see a reason. I went back with my husband and said there must be something else we can do and she said unless you have a third miscarriage we can't help. With that I started crying and her words of comfort were 'you should be thankful you've got a child'. I haven't been back to see her since! I got a copy of all the tests my GP has done and took them to the private clinic with us. They done a further 2 blood tests but were otherwise happy with everything that had been done. She advised we go ahead with ivf sooner rather than later!

It sounds like not ovulating is your issue. When I wasn't ovulating my progesterone didn't go above 15! Something like clomid could be the answer for you. It sounds like your GP has been thorough with testing throughout your cycle which is good!

Although costly it's definitely been the best thing we've done. If you can afford it I really would recommend it. You could stick with your GP another month or 2 and get as many tests done on the NHS as you can. You could also try asking how long the waiting list is for you to be seen by gynae on the NHS, you might decide it's a time length you're happy to wait for.

xxx

 

[CockerMum]

Hi Fairy Lights,

I have low progesterone showing that i am not ovulating, altho i do have regular 28 day cycles. No sign of PCOS etc. They are blaming the depo that i was on. We have been ttc ages now. OH sperm was just below normal (havent got the printout yet) but they said it would get better as he had just been diagnosed with high sugars type 2 diabetic.

We have recently decided to do IVF abroad as we are not allowed any help through NHS due to OH having children from previous marriage.

I did try AC but dont think it helped personally xx

 

[miamia]

CockerMum - if I might ask, what clinic have you picked? I have read that Poland, Czech, Spain and Greece are the most popular destinations.

 

[anajasko]

Check with your doctor to see if your progesterone levels can be increased through the taking of some pills. Must be very hard for you TTC. I hope all will resolve soon.

 

[merrysander367]

Hi guys!
I worked with Ukrainian agency Babyboom clinic. I was referred by the friend of mine.
Thanks to them, I am 4 months pregnant.
Good luck to everyone!

 

[anajasko]

Your doctor should be able to administer some treatment or medication to increase your progesterone levels. Speak to him or her about this before just trying something on your own. All the best with TTC!

 

[miamia]

Speak to him or her about this before just trying something on your own.

agreed. You should consult a specialist before taking any medicine