Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Fertility / Infertility (Expert Forum)
Could my lower progesterone be the reason that I am not getting pregnant??
Questions in the Fertility/Infertility forum are answered by doctors affiliated with USF Health. Topics covered include fertility or infertility issues, egg quality, fertility drugs and side effects, fertility tests, genetic testing, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation, relationship issues, risk factors, sperm count/quality, and surgery.
Could my lower progesterone be the reason that I am not getting pregnant??
by Trying4Number1in2007, May 25, 2007 12:00AM
A little background first- I am 34 and suffer from spotting 3-5 days before my period. My cycles are 24-25 days long. In the last year they have shortened. When I first got off BCP about 22 months ago my cycles ranged from 28-31 days. About a year ago they started to shorten to 24-25 days with the occasional longer cycle & shorter cycle once in a while. The spotting started only 6 months ago. I have been TTC actively for 8 cycles & have not used protection in 13 cycles. I have never been pregnant & my periods are normal around 3-4 days with moderate cramping & minor clotting if any at all. No history of any other issues.
I have had CD21 blood work done for progesterone and it was 6.6. My OB said this was within normal but on the low side. My C3 FSH was 5.8. I have been using a fertility monitor & taking my temps. I have a clear pattern of ovulation around CD12 or CD13 & my temps spike then start to drop about 7 DPO. They continue to drop as spotting begins then period comes about 11-12 DPO. She decided to put me on progesterone this coming month at 3DPO. Could this low progesterone be the reason for my spotting & also why I am not getting pregnant?? Also do you think natural progesterone suppositories could help me?
My OB doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge about fertility & my RE appointment is not till August 20th 2007.
Any thoughts I would appreciate it.
~Nicole
I have had CD21 blood work done for progesterone and it was 6.6. My OB said this was within normal but on the low side. My C3 FSH was 5.8. I have been using a fertility monitor & taking my temps. I have a clear pattern of ovulation around CD12 or CD13 & my temps spike then start to drop about 7 DPO. They continue to drop as spotting begins then period comes about 11-12 DPO. She decided to put me on progesterone this coming month at 3DPO. Could this low progesterone be the reason for my spotting & also why I am not getting pregnant?? Also do you think natural progesterone suppositories could help me?
My OB doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge about fertility & my RE appointment is not till August 20th 2007.
Any thoughts I would appreciate it.
~Nicole
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-SP, May 25, 2007 12:00AM
Your OB seems to be on the right track. It does not matter which progesterone preparation you are taking, my usual choice is prometrium 200 mg intravaginally 3 times a day, but there is nothing wrong with intramuscular progesterone (except that it hurts and I do not think it is any better than intravaginal), crinone 8% once a day intravaginally, or intravaginal progesterone suppositories. I usually ask my patients to test for ovulation with urine ovulation prediction kits, have intercourse the day the urine first tests positive and the day after, and start progesterone 3 days after urine first turns positive. Since progesterone can sometimes prolong a period, I recommend a pregnancy test on day 31 or 32 if you have not yet had a period. If the pregnancy test is positive, stay on the progesterone. If negative, start the progesterone, wait for a period, and repeat.
Finally, if the spotting continues this month even on progesterone, your ObGyn might want to consider doing a saline ultrasound to check your uterine cavity and make sure you do not have a small fibroid or polyp in the cavity.
Finally, if the spotting continues this month even on progesterone, your ObGyn might want to consider doing a saline ultrasound to check your uterine cavity and make sure you do not have a small fibroid or polyp in the cavity.
Member Comments (3)
by mlb1234, May 25, 2007 12:00AM
I am not a doctor but I thought progesterone was impt after conception when it supports the uterine lining. I doubt it would affect the chances of you actually conceiving but it would affect your ability to carry the embryo. My RE put me on prometrium after ovulation to help with this so I guess it can help. So far so good as I am 5w2d right now.
by akachan, Jun 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: trying to
I just received my cd21 results yesterday and they were 6.2...a little low but within range - just as your gyn said. Later I read that the test needs to be taken 7dpo and I took it 4dpo...having ovulated late this cycle due to HSG...So the #'s don't really say anything BUT I am 38 have been trying for 10 months to conceive and feel as if I might have had a few chemcial pregnancies. I am wondering too if this low progesterone is interfering with implantation. It makes sense... I read it is important in the implantation process. My RE appt is June 20th and I can't wait to get some professional advice...there are so many different answers out there. I just wanted you to know you are not alone! Your RE will give you some answers...it just sucks to wait, doesn't it!
