Low progesterone

[M1chelle]

So the last two 21 day tests have had results of 25 and 19, both done 6 and 8 days before AF respectively. I have been told that I should be getting thirty. The tests should be done 7 days before AF and these were just a guess because my cycles can have up to a week variation-I did pretty well with the guesses! I had a positive OPK for the first time last month though, so at least I know my LP now and can figure out AF easier.

Annoyingly I've been told the results are both low but they won't do anything about it until I'm referred to the fertility clinic in two months' time. I asked if I could do anything to improve matters and she said no. But she is the same person who has said protein shakes are really bad for you so I think she's just anti anything that isn't natural!

I'm not normally a fan of taking stuff unprescribed but it feels like the next two months will just be a wasted opportunities if I can't get my body to do what it's supposed to. Should I try progesterone cream?

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[Charlotte9]

Don't worry about this too much. You can take B6 and B12 vitamins after ovulation.
Im doing progesterone test as well. Previously I did 3 days before AF and doc said it was too late.
You can also take ultrogestan its a natural product/ progesterone but prescription only. Lastly you can use progesterone cream which you can get online.
Did doc say if he is going to refer you to fertility clinic? x

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[M1chelle]

Don't worry about this too much. You can take B6 and B12 vitamins after ovulation.
Im doing progesterone test as well. Previously I did 3 days before AF and doc said it was too late.
You can also take ultrogestan its a natural product/ progesterone but prescription only. Lastly you can use progesterone cream which you can get online.
Did doc say if he is going to refer you to fertility clinic? x

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Hi Charlotte,

Thanks, yes I'm getting referred but have to wait until next month to start the process. I'm waiting on an ultrasound before that though so hopefully everything will be in place straight away.

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[Charlotte9]

Its such a long process. I think ultrasound is the last thing doc will do before he refers you.
Do you use opks? x

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[M1chelle]

Its such a long process. I think ultrasound is the last thing doc will do before he refers you.
Do you use opks? x

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Hi Charlotte; yes I do. Like I said, I had my first positive this month after using the CBFM for the last three months. I'm also doing IC OPKs as well. It was a nice big bold line on both last month! Hopefully the same this month x

 

[Charlotte9]

Positive opk is good! Do you have any side pain or light spotting? Its awful to wait for 2 months to get referral. Hope time goes fast x

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[M1chelle]

Positive opk is good! Do you have any side pain or light spotting? Its awful to wait for 2 months to get referral. Hope time goes fast x

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Thanks hun, I have to be grateful that they've taken it as seriously as they have as we've only been TTC for ten months. They thought some health history would be criteria for early referral but this doctor disagrees. It's frustrating but not that long to wait and with any luck I will get lucky before then....

I don't get any side pain generally or spotting. The only symptom of low progesterone that I can tell is fibrocystic breasts so hopefully it's not too low. I know someone on this forum said theirs was much lower. Fingers crossed it's not going to be a problem.

What is your situation? x

 

[Charlotte9]

I've been actively DTD for 10 months now. Ohs sperm is good. I did fertility scan and its good too. Doing progesterone test next week for second time. Done all the blood tests and scans. So far so good.
Do you take supplements? x

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[Sugarpop]

As far as I knew you can still fall pregnant with low progesterone but you could be a higher risk of miscarriage?

 

[lisey]

Using progesterone after ovulation may increase levels but the day 21 bloods are done to check ovulation so if they are low it can be a sign of not ovulating. Upping progesterone after potential ovulation won't make you ovulate if you know what I mean. Usually something needs to be done at the beginning of the cycle. Also, progesterone needs to be used 36 hours after ovulation (advice from fertility specialist). If it's taken too early then it will act like a contraceptive and make it even harder xx

 

[M1chelle]

I've been actively DTD for 10 months now. Ohs sperm is good. I did fertility scan and its good too. Doing progesterone test next week for second time. Done all the blood tests and scans. So far so good.
Do you take supplements? x

Well that's good news I guess; I wonder what happens if all the tests come back fine but you're not falling pregnant??

As far as I knew you can still fall pregnant with low progesterone but you could be a higher risk of miscarriage?

Yes, I have seen that. I am guessing it can affect anything from implantation as low progesterone affects the lining of the uterus.

Using progesterone after ovulation may increase levels but the day 21 bloods are done to check ovulation so if they are low it can be a sign of not ovulating. Upping progesterone after potential ovulation won't make you ovulate if you know what I mean. Usually something needs to be done at the beginning of the cycle. Also, progesterone needs to be used 36 hours after ovulation (advice from fertility specialist). If it's taken too early then it will act like a contraceptive and make it even harder xx

Thanks for this - that's interesting info. I really hope I am ovulating

 

[Charlotte9]

You can book a scan just before ovulation and see it on the scan. Its very interesting to see it on the screen x

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[M1chelle]

You can book a scan just before ovulation and see it on the scan. Its very interesting to see it on the screen x

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That does sound good!

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[phonixgirl]

Michelle, I know from experience that if they don't find anything they put it down to bad luck! We'd been ttc properly for 2 years and they told us to try another 6 months before they'd refer us as all hormones tests and OH sperm analysis came back ok. As you can see, more detailed tests did reveal issues but I was still told it was a case of bad luck until my most recent private test revealed high NK cells!

Lisey is right about the progesterone btw. I have fibrocystic breasts too and they're a sign of excess oestrogen (in most cases, progesterone is also low). They've got a lot better as my cycles have settled down. I highly recommend maca root tablets as they'll work on balancing your hormones (so both the oestrogen and the progesterone). I have 28 day cycles now with no spotting. xx

 

[M1chelle]

Michelle, I know from experience that if they don't find anything they put it down to bad luck! We'd been ttc properly for 2 years and they told us to try another 6 months before they'd refer us as all hormones tests and OH sperm analysis came back ok. As you can see, more detailed tests did reveal issues but I was still told it was a case of bad luck until my most recent private test revealed high NK cells!

Lisey is right about the progesterone btw. I have fibrocystic breasts too and they're a sign of excess oestrogen (in most cases, progesterone is also low). They've got a lot better as my cycles have settled down. I highly recommend maca root tablets as they'll work on balancing your hormones (so both the oestrogen and the progesterone). I have 28 day cycles now with no spotting. xx

Ah thanks for that info hun. I will look into maca root and see if it is worth giving a go. What are NK cells? I've never heard of them. Is there anything you can do to improve your levels? Maybe it's a blessing in disguise that my tests haven't been quite right; the hubby's sperm analysis came back borderline in some aspects too. Hopefully they'll take it seriously.. It does seem like it is all luck of the draw with the clinics though eh? x

 

[phonixgirl]

They're natural killer cells that destroy the embryo! We all have some of them as they destroy infections but you don't want so many that you destroy the embryo too!

I will take steroids when I do my next treatment cycle and I also read omega 3 helps.

I've been over the moon every time I've been told there's something wrong as I feel I've got answers finally! Xx

 

[M1chelle]

They're natural killer cells that destroy the embryo! We all have some of them as they destroy infections but you don't want so many that you destroy the embryo too!

I will take steroids when I do my next treatment cycle and I also read omega 3 helps.

I've been over the moon every time I've been told there's something wrong as I feel I've got answers finally! Xx

Gosh, I have my fingers crossed that the steroids do what they need to do xx