BFN at 11DPO...Should I continue w/ Progesterone

[Lexima]

Just got a BFN using $1 HPT.  Although I'm pretty sure this is not my month.  Should I continue using Progesterone until AF shows up?

[RunningL8]

Really, I am just so so sorry about the loss of your daughter.  But it sounds like you have everything in your favor, so I think you have lots of reasons to be hopeful about a future pregnancy!

[izzys_mom]

Thank you so much for the reply! There was a lot in that that I needed to hear, reality does seem to slip away quickly when you're trying so hard to conceive. I've been over analyzing everything, and I am hoping my luteal phase is a little longer this month. I have no reason to actually believe anything is wrong, after all, we did conceive the first time with no meds, and I need to be patient. My body is still probably trying to line everything back up, after all it's gone through. And our little girl died due to Turner syndrome, totally random, not anything my dh or I carry. So, thank you. I will relax and be patient!!!

[RunningL8]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Will your insurance allow you to see an ob-gyn (instead of a fertility specialist)?  In the meantime, here's my opinion:  at age 30, the odds are greatly in your favor that you do not have a progesterone problem.  Women of normal child-bearing years usually have ovaries that produce a sufficient amount of progesterone to help an embryo implant and to sustain the embryo until week 8, at which point the placenta takes over the nourishment process.  Older women (i.e., 40+) have ovaries that are aging rapidly, so their eggs have more abnormalities and in some cases, their ovaries may not make enough progesterone naturally, so doctors prescribe progesterone as a precaution.  If you don't actually have a progesterone problem, taking progesterone not only won't help you, but it may throw off your ovulation in future cycles.  Which is why you should really see a doctor and ask him to test you (like Lexima did, as stated in her previous post).  But definitely do not take the OTC kind of progesterone.  OTC supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so you won't know the source of the progesterone, the amount you're getting, or even if it is progesterone.  Someone close to me died prematurely from liver failure, and her doctors felt it was from taking supplements that had been produced in unsafe conditions (i.e., so the supplements became contaminated with mercury).  This was probably an extreme case, but your hormones have to maintain exactly the right balance for you to conceive, and an early pregnancy is very fragile, so at the very least you don't want to put potentially harmful substances in your body.  Prescription progesterone has been tested and is subject to all sorts of governmental regulations, so if your doctor determines you do need progesterone, you would want to take the prescription kind.  I do hope you have a successful pregnancy soon!  

[izzys_mom]

Hey-I'm just dropping in with a question for you since you know a lot about this for sure. I have just started charting the last 2 months after a stillbirth, and my luteal phase seems to only be 10 days long. It was probably that way for at least most of the 9 months I was ttc the one we lost, because I used OPK's for 5 months without a single positive, but I only used them during the days I thought I would be ovulating, from like 16-12 days before I expected my period, so I think I stopped testing every month before I actually ovulated. Does that make sense? Anyhow, I hate the thought that we may be successfully concieving, and then lossing the embryo to AF if my progesterone is too low. So, this is all questions for a doctor, but our health insurance is terrible, and gives absolutely no infertility benefits.
Do you think an otc progesterone (which I had no idea was available otc...) would help, if used correctly? Or should we just see a doc??
Thanks for any info you (or anyone else) may have!!

[RunningL8]

An IUI cycle would likely have a different protocol than trying to conceive naturally.  If your doctor thinks you need progesterone, then I'm sure you do.  I suppose with the holidays it will be hard to get an hcg quantitative blood test, which would be ideal, but perhaps you could call and just ask the doctor what to do if the hcg is negative and still no AF?  I hope you get a positive result soon!

[Lexima]

I am using dr prescribed progesterone.  As directed per dr started using in at 2DP IUI.  Was told to come back for blood test in 2 weeks and continue progesterone till then, or until AF arives.  AF is still not here and today is 15DPO.

Last month when I tested for progesterone on CD21 it was 7.6, which RE thought it was too low.  As I understand higher progesterone would help with implantation.

I was planning to take another test tomorrow morning, but I might do it tonight.

[islandmama]

that is not the way my Dr prescribed it....

[RunningL8]

Are you using prescription progesterone under a doctor's supervision or using OTC progesterone yourself?  If you are self-medicating, with OTC progesterone you have no idea how much or even what you're getting.  And yes, using too much progesterone or progesterone too long will prevent you from getting your period, as your progesterone dropping signals the uterine lining to shed each month if you're not pregnant.  And if you start the progesterone too early (i.e., before 4 dpo), you can keep yourself from getting pregnant, as it makes it difficult for the sperm to penetrate an egg.  The way an RE prescribes progesterone is that you start it on 4 dpo, take it for 12 days, and then you take a pregnancy test (often a blood test).  If you're not pregnant, you need to stop it, or you will throw off your ovulation for the next cycle.  I'm confused as to why you think you need progesterone at all at 29, though.  It is usually given to much older women (like 42+), as older ovaries don't produce enough progesterone to sustain an early pregnancy.  But a young woman like you shouldn't need it....

[Lexima]

Hello,
AF still did not arrive and I am continuing with progesterone.  I haven't retested since 11DPO.
Is it possible that Progesterone is keeping AF away by prolonging Luteal phase?

[BabyBlue07]

Yes, continue your progesterone until your AF show up.  do not stop.  11DPO still too early to test.  wait until 14DPO or later.  

I am same cycle with you and tested with BFN.  I still continue take my medicine until AF show up.  

Good luck and take care

[Lexima]

Thanks Guys.  I guess you are right it's not over till AF shows up.  So I'll just continue to wait.
You're all so kind.

[tricia448]

Hi Lexima,
Sorry you got a BFN....maybe try again in a couple days...you never know.....maybe it was too early??? i will be rooting for you!!!!!!!!!!

[Want2BeMama]

i would continue i dint get mine till 12dpo some dont get it till 14 so just hang in there and wait couple more days!!

[kellym]

Absolutely, I never got a + until 12dpo and even then I couldn't get one on the $1 HPT, you're not out yet!!

[LJ307]

Lexima  I am so sorry!!  I really thought this was your month.  At least you won't be alone in the 2ww in Jan. Heather and I will be right along with you.  It's gonna happen for us, it's just a matter of when.

[Helen72]

So sorry about your BFN  :(

Since you tested really early I think you should take projesterone just in case.  Many do not get a BFP will 12-14 dpo.

[mommyluv02]

yeah if AF will still show up when you are on progesterone (in my case i only took them to prevent bleeding)i would keep taking them. your arent out yet. its still early