Low progesterone level and TTC

Hi. I have been TTC for 10 months. As soon as we started trying my cycle went irregular and I did not get my period for 40-55 days. Finally my OB gave me Provera to cause a withdrawl (withdrawal) bleed and then 50 mg of Chlomid. In Nov., we did 100mg of clohmid and did a day 21 progest. test that came back at 8. In Dec., I got my period naturally (no provera) for the first time since April. We did not do any chlomid. On day 17 I had what I thought was a positive ovulation test. Sadly, when i did a progesterone test on day 21 it was .6
My questions are: If I did in fact ovulate on day 17, would day 21 have been too soon to test progesterone or does it rise immediately?
I am now on day 27 and have had cramping...is this my period coming on or is there any chance I could be pregnant?
I spoke with my OB today who has given me a new Chlomid prescription for 150 to take once i get my period and also a progesterone creme that I think i start once i ovulate. Has anyone had success with this? Also, what does the creme do exactly and will it help this cycle or the following? Thank you so much for your help. Yesterday, was a sad day when i got my progesterone results :(

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Day 17 is pretty late in the cycle for natural ovulation to occur.  Certainly in a clomid cycle ( if you take it on days 3-7 ) you should ovulate by day 14.  Sometimes I think that ovulation predictors throw people off the track.
If you were my patient, I would switch you to Femara which works better and has fewer side effects than Clomid.  I would also probably start you on Metformin.
The progesterone cream will increase your progesterone level, but that won't necessarily help you get pregnant, unless you are having extremely early miscarriages.
Also, ovulation predictors are nice, but remember to have intercourse on days 11-16 even if the predictors don't turn for some reason--they're not fool proof!
I hope this helps!
Dr B