Should I be on progesterone? What's your experience with it?

[Sunny222]

Hi All:) I'm sure like many of you are, I'm kinda anxious about getting pregnant again after having miscarried about a month and a half ago. It was my first pregnancy/miscarriage. So, of course, I want to do everything in my power to have a healthy pregnancy soon. I've read up on all the diet stuff that helps, I don't drink, don't smoke, etc... but I've heard some women say they take progesteron or get shots of it to help boost something that may be lacking in their system. My doctor never even brought it up as an option, but I was never tested for it either. I'm 28 and otherwise perfectly healthy, so maybe my doctor thinks I don't need anything. (of course this is the same doctor who all but shrugged off my miscarriage. told me over the phone and said I just need to rest. that's it. lame)
I want to be absolutely prepared and ready for the next pg. Can any of you tell me what progesteron is used for and how/why you were given it?

[Sunny222]

Wow, thank you all for your comments! That definitely does shed some light on it. It's not a miracle solution, but it's also something worth checking out for sure. I am looking for a new ob/gyn and screening the possible candidates before choosing one. The doctor I had before mentioned nothing about progesterone levels, hcg levels, nothing. Just kept saying, "well, we'll know if this is a viable pregnancy in a few days," etc. Really vague and confusing. Sorry to vent:) I was at 5 weeks when I m/c'd naturally. It all seems like a giant mystery sometimes.
Thanks again!

[peterjl]

I have PCOS and usually have low progesterone levels all the time.  When I become pregnant, my doctor checks all my levels.  I usually have to have progesterone shots the whole 1st trimester and into the 2nd when my levels stay up by themselves.  My pregnancies were viable.  If you don't have issues with conceiving, you may not need progesterone supplements. I would ask your doctor to check your levels next time you are pregnant if you are worried.  I lost my last baby at 16 weeks- my progesterone level dropped about 20 points, the week before my baby died.  Good luck.

[mikaleen]

Here is my understanding.  After you lay an egg, the follicle becomes a cyst on your ovary.  This cyst produces progesterone, which thickens up the lining of your uterus for implantation.  If conception and implantation don't occur your progesterone levels drop, which brings on AF.  If you conceive and implant, the cyst continues to produce progesterone, which keeps the uterine lining thick and relaxes the uterus to prevent contractions.
Now, there are some situations where women don't produce enough progesterone, and that will lead to m/c.  When started early enough it can keep a viable pregnancy from m/c.
There are also situations like mine was...progesterone levels are low and a supplement is given.  The levels are low because it is a non-viable pregnancy, not because of any fertility issues.  Most non-viable pregnancies will measure low progesterone, because the body is getting ready to m/c.  The supplements keep the body from naturally m/c but the pregnancy is non-viable and m/c doesn't occur until the supplement is stopped.  I stopped taking it for 2 weeks and I still needed to take the misoprostol for a non-viable pregnancy.

I am all for it if it is needed.  You can talk to your dr (are you planning on looking for a new one?) about it, and tests can be run, where blood is drawn on specific cycle days to test progesterone levels.  If they are too low, the Dr knows to supplement you, which I believe in that case is started sometime around ovulation to get the uterus ready.  It is then continued until 12 weeks, when the placenta takes over hormone production.
I wish I had not taken it, I would have m/c much sooner, and probably naturally.
Good luck!

[kc1021]

Its hard to know if you having low progesteron was a cause for the miscarriage if your doctor did not do any testing. I read online:

The progesterone levels during pregnancy is  crucial for the survival of the fetus, it keeps the uterus from contracting and promotes the growth of blood vessels that give nourishment to your baby during pregnancy. Natural progesterone aids in conception (fertility clinics use sometimes natural progesterone for treating infertility), and the progesterone levels during pregnancy help maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Given that this was your first miscarriage (you didnt say how far along you were) the doctor will probably not recommend using progesterone cream.  At least in my case, my doctor didn't.  To my understanding my miscarriage was just a random incident, (I was only 5 weeks when I m/c).   I am now 8 week pg and have not used any progesterone cream.  Sorry if this isn't a clear cut answer.. Im sure there are some women on here that can explain their use with Progesterone cream better.

I'm sorry for your loss and good luck in your future pregnancy!