Ladies with low progesterone - I'd love to hear your experiences

[Sylva]

Hi

A bit about me - I started taking progesterone (provera) back in 2007 for various reasons (long, heavy periods, mood, skin & weight problems that all pointed to high Oesteogen / low progesterone). I wasn't TTC then, just trying to feel normal! The doc then moved me onto the Mirena coil instead of provera and that worked just as well, as it had progesterone in it.

I'm now TTC and have taken the Mirena out, but haven't replaced the progesterone. I have moved house and have a new doctor and he said, looking at my records, that there's nothing to indicate that I'd have difficulties conceiving.

I've now been tracking my cycle and I'm not getting any changes in temperature at all, even after an LG surge, and my luteal phase was just 7 days last month - which looks like it is my old friend progesterone causing me problems again. I'm 3 days past ovulation today so waiting to see how the luteal phase is this month.

I've spent the whole morning being upset and being ill with anxiety about this, reading scary articles online. I'm so worried I won't be able to get pregnant or stay pregnant. Can those of you further down the road on this let me know what to expect? Is it something that is easy to "fix" with progesterone tablets / cream or are the success rates low? How long does it take the build progesterone back up to a more normal level? What is realistic for me to expect so I can prepare myself?

I'm hoping for a blood test next week as a first step, but I'm feeling pretty convinced considering my cycle monitoring and history. I'm really scared that I won't be able to be a mum and that my partner, who is desperate to be a dad, will be devastated.

 

[Sunflower1]

I don't have experience with this but I just want to say please don't read scary articles on the internet - the internet is full of worst case scenarios. I'd go back to your doctor.

When I was having hormonal imbalances they offered me progesterone with full confidence that it would allow me to conceive. I didn't have it but lost a ton of weight which balanced everything out, but I think hormone treatment is pretty straightforward - it sounded like it wouldn't take long to work.

I would ask for a fertility referral so they can sort your hormones out asap. Definitely don't make yourself ill worrying about this until you've spoken to a professional.

 

[Sylva]

Thank you so much Sunflower. I know you're right and it's the same thing I'd tell anyone in my shoes... I know nothing good can come from reading everything on the internet. It's just sometimes I feel so powerless it feels like the only thing to do!
I've spoken to the doc today, she wasn't very helpful but did agree to a progesterone test on Monday and in the end she softened and said we can then meet to discuss the result and put a plan together if something is wrong with the hormones. That makes me feel better, but she didnt seem to believe me about the prior progesterone stuff, I had to show her on my records. I think I'll go to the appointment with an open mind and be hopeful about the results, but also with my cycle chart so she can see the short luteal phases and temps. I know stress doesn't help. I feel reassured reading what you said about hormone treatment seeming straightforward. Fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Sunflower1]

Good luck! Hope it goes well. You can always push for a hospital fertility/gyneocology dept referral if you're not happy - I don't know how much GPs are trained in this stuff. Sometimes you really have to push to get help. I'm glad you are having the test though.

Looking back on it the hospital doctors absolutely expected the progesterone to sort out my cycle pretty quickly.

 

[Sylva]

That is good to know as well. I never know how hard to push these things but you're right - it's worth pushing for if the test does show something next week. Thank you so much for the reassurance