hcg levels

I am taking progesterone cream.  My question is that the cream suppose to maintain the pregnancy or is to double every two days?  Also is it normal to have a white discharge from the cream?

[Harley-girl]

It is to maintain the pregnancy and has nothing to do with HCG numbers.

[myproblem]

Progesterone is the hormone that stops your uterine lining from deteriorating or shedding. In a period cycle, when your levels of progesterone drop below a certain point, your period starts. In pregnancy, if your Progesterone drops, your body thinks it's time for a period, and you have a miscarriage. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, which is a leftover of ovulation, until week twelve of the pregnancy. By week twelve the placenta is producing all the progesterone you need to maintain your pregnancy. Hcg is the "pregnancy hormone" that is produced by the developing fetus. It is totally separate from progesterone in make-up and function. If your levels of hcg are not doubling, or at least close to doubling every 48-72 hours, most Dr.'s will watch you very closely for signs of trouble. Low hcg does not necessarily mean you will have problems, but does put you at an increased risk. Hope this helps.

[ima1]

It is to strengthern the pg, and it does cause white discharge.

[kaydenlynn]

I have read so many threads on this however I am not clear on what is a definite indicator to taking progestrone.  Of course you can test for levels once you become pregnant...but a lot of women on the site are taking it before they get pregnant.  Is that due to previous miscarriage?  Are they just being cautious?  Should I ask to have my levels checked as soon as I become pregnant?

[AnnieBrooke]

The only thing I would add to myproblem's excellent description is that while lowered progesterone (to an extremely low level, not just a one-point drop or anything) is associated with miscarriage, there are other reasons miscarriage happens.  Progesterone won't hurt the developing embryo, so it doesn't hurt to take it, but it is not a way to prevent all miscarriages or anything, and I have read that the jury is still out, medically speaking, on whether there are miscarriages that taking progesterone alone makes the difference (in other words, ones caused by low progesterone by itself).  That said, I do have a friend who miscarried every time she didn't take it, and carried successfully to term the time she took it.

[daffodil60]

When you are on progesterone suppositories if you are not pregnant,  will it slow your period from coming? It is 34 days and the iui was 16 days ago and still no periods but the HPT was negative. SHould a person wait and keep inserting the suppositories?

[kaydenlynn]

I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE PROGESTRONE PROBLEM OR DEFICIENCY BUT I DO KNOW THAT MY LUTEAL PHASE IS APPROX, 13-16 DAYS...WHICH I THINK IS OKAY OR NORMAL.  I AM JUST WONNDERING IF I SHOULD HAVE ASKED FOR THAT TEST ON MY FIRST MISCARRIAGE.  NOW IT HAS ME WONDERING.  I GUESS A SAFE THING TO DUE IS TO ASK FOR THEM TO CHECK MY LEVELS IF I GET BFP AGAIN....OR WOULD THAT BE CRAZY!!!  I FIND IT HARD TO DEMAND THINGS FROM MY DOCTOR...I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT I DO....

[myproblem]

It should not delay your period, but you should get a blood pregnancy test if you are 16 days past IUI. If you are not pregnant, then you probably should stop the progsterone. I suppose it could delay some women's preiods, but I don't think that is common. Here's hoping you get your wish. :)

[myproblem]

I take Progesterone for recurrent miscarriages. I have had a mc every time I didn't take it (10+ mc). If you know or feel pretty sure that you have low progesterone, or a Luteal Phase Defect, you should start it as soon as you ovulate, and continue until your period starts, or 12 weeks of pregnancy. Many Dr.'s won't check progesterone levels, and as Annie said, there is some controversy as to whether or not it really makes a difference. That said, most Dr.'s go with the "can't hurt, might help" viewpoint. If you can get it Rx, that's easiest, but there are creams you can buy otc if your Dr. doesn't want to give it to you.

[myproblem]

I don't think it would be crazy. We have a right to be paranoid after a miscarriage, and your Dr. should be understanding of that. Your luteal phase does sound like it's within normal range, as long as your first half of your cycle is about the same length.

[myproblem]

I don't think it would be crazy. We have a right to be paranoid after a miscarriage, and your Dr. should be understanding of that. Your luteal phase does sound like it's within normal range, as long as your first half of your cycle is about the same length.