No period after progesterone challenge

[lnp3108]

I am hoping that someone can help me. I am 29 yo.  I was on Ortho TriCyclen for 9 years then switched to the Nuva Ring for 1 year.  I have been off BC since June of 2008, had spotting half a day in July, and nothing since.  My doctor gave me a 10 day supply of Provera, but I failed that challenge after waiting for AF to arrive for 1 mo.  I had a case of anorexia( in 2004) due to stress of grad school for about 1and 1/2 yrs,during which this time I ate very little fat (less than 10grams a day)  I had no idea that fat and estrogen production had any correlation) I also got down to 105 lbs.  After graduation, I started gaining weight back slowly and am at my current weight of 125.  I am 5'8'' and my doctor has suggested gaining 5 lbs.  He also wants to put me on BCP for one cycle to regulate me and get periods started again.. My question is this.... If my body has been trying to regulate itself for the past 4 months, why would he put me back on BCP. My husband and I are TTC.  I dont understand how this can possibly help me conceive.  Also, do you recommend Vitex while taking these BCPs?  thank you so much for all of you help.  I hope we are able to conceive soon.

[lnp3108]

I am so incredibly sorry that you are having to go through all of this.  I feel really terrible for you. I feel so selfish after reading some of the posts on this site.  I had no idea how many complications women can have while TTC.  The thing I guess that helps me the most is knowing that God has a special plan for us.  I know I am going to be a wonderful mother to a beautiful baby even if it is not my own blood.  There are too many sweet babies out there that need loving parents.  By the way... I was conceived with 1 working ovary, so there is always a chance :-)  Keep your chin up, smile, and NEVER give up hope.  Baby Dust to you!!

[lmcrt]

I think being on birth control for one month and then start clomid is a great idea. The OBgyne wants to use the BC to regulate your hormones and to bring on a period so that you can have a fresh cycle to start the clomid which will induce ovulation. Sounds like a plan to me. Just stick in there and try to be patient I know its hard.

[bny807]

Well it sounds like you have a dr that is listening to you and taking you serious.. thats great! : )   OH yea.. we've been ttc for almost two years now.. with an RE for almost one year after a lap that found an endometrioma destroyed my ovary, so i only have one working ovary.. severe endo, pcos, LUFS, AND male factor!    we have been lucky enough to get preg with IUI twice now.. and i'm miscarrying as we speak : (    but were told that we would need IVF with ICSI so its pretty amazing we have gotten preg at all with IUI.. its been a battle with SOOO many speed bumps, i've gotten more bad news than i ever imagined this past year especially! but hey.. gotta move on, get back up and try again to get what we want i guess! who knew it would be so hard to concieve and then to stay preg, esp after years of being so anal about taking my pill on time! ha!  Well, i'd request more blood tests if you can.. it cant' hurt thats for sure! GOOD LUCK keep me updated! : )

[lnp3108]

Thanks for responding.  I was not sure if anyone would take a chance at reading my post.  So far, I have only been seeing my OB/GYN.  I have been eating alot more "good fats" such as natural peanut butter 3x day.  I am also taking prenatals and Omega 3,6,9 to help get more fats.  As far as I know my GYN has only checked progesterone levels.  He said that I was not producing enough estrogen bc I failed the progesterone challenge.  He is putting me on BCP bc it has the estrogen and progesterone. If I have a period then I will start clomid. Please keep me in your thoughts.  I appreciate your kind words. Are you also TTC?

[bny807]

Hello! so sorry to hear that you have been through all of that!   Hopefully your dr can get things rolling again and help you get preg very very soon! : )      I'm not quite sure about the BCP honestly... nto sure why they would do that, sometimes things can just work strange and being on the pill for one month will suddenly make your body have a monthly period again.. but i don't know if there is an exact answer/science to that treatment... have they checked your hormones? i would think that should be the first step... check your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, LH, FSH etc... make sure those are all within normal ranges first of all... and then eat a healthy balanced diet with no more than moderate exercise.. ( i began eating lots of omega fatty acids, almonds, salmon, and lots of greens) no clue if that helped or not, but hey can't hurt right.. and those "healthy fats" are great for the reproductive tract, and your little beans neuro system when you do become preg.  Are you working with an OBGYN or an RE?   GOOD LUCK keep us udpated! : )