Another stopping progesterone thread---I'm so sorry

BalletAn

Yes this is another stopping progesterone thread---I know there is a million of these, but I just cannot help it. (I also posted this in the 1st trimester check in).

I was supposed to stop last Monday, but I decided to continue with 100 mg endometrin daily (down from two). My progesterone was low during the 2ww (10.7) then super high when they added 600 (!) mg of oral prometrium and since I stopped the oral progesterone it has been anywhere between 27 and 37. They had me step down to 200 mg of endometrin and bloodwork showed a progesterone level of 47. For my RE that was enough evidence the placenta had taken over. I begged them to do another reading last week (I hadn't taken my progesterone that day) and the level was 45. I know it is likely fine, but part of me wants to continue doing every other day suppositories until 13 weeks, because I'm a chicken.  However, I also know there is some risk of birthdefects in males with progesterone, and if that would happen I would feel forever guilty.....so many doubts!!!

**TMI warning**

Since I had my pap last week my discharge has been not completely white- more beige or yellowish- no other symptoms like itch or burning. Part of me is wondering if I'm just noticing it now because I don't have the white of the endometrin 3 x daily to white-wash the discharge. I've read that abnormal colored discharge is normal in pregnancy, anyone else experienced this?

pblge

I think ALL of the infertility graduates are terrified to stop progesterone, so don't feel bad. When do you see an OB? For me, my RE wanted me to stop when my progesterone seemed a bit low (29ish), so I talked to my OB and decided to keep going until we could confirm with another blood test that the placenta had taken over. Your levels seem great to me, and I'm not sure that EOD suppositories would do all that much, but I'm in no position to cast stones about staying on--I only stopped PIO a week ago! The birth defects thing is, I think, linked to synthetic progesterone, so check which type you're on. As for discharge, yup, there's a lot of that. Apparently it only gets worse. I've heard the phrase "swamp crotch" mentioned a few times by those further along. :-&

mom2seth09

Congrats on your pregnancy!  I can confidently say if you stop at the end of the 11th week your baby will be just fine.  I have 3 that carried to term with prog. up to that point, and 1 currently at 19 weeks.  It is nerve wracking, but you have to trust your body (aka placenta) to do the rest.  Best wishes to you on the rest of your pregnancy!

Neesey

Discharge is definitely different the further you get. I noticed a big difference coming off supps. I stopped shy of 10 weeks. I have lpd and have been on them almost every cycle for three years. I decided to just trust my doctor and stop. It was like jumping off the diving board or getting on a roller coaster. The wait in line is the hardest part! It was SO nice to be done!

xc1148

Think of it this way....did your doc handle all your stims? all your transfers? all your betas? They got you pregnant! They know what they are doing...if they say to stop, you can stop. Totally normal to worry though

BalletAn

Update: I stopped! This will be my third day without progesterone, so far so good. Although the beige/yellow discharge freaks me out, since I keep on wondering if it is the start of a bleed. I even pulled liners out of the trash (I know that is crazy and gross) to see if it was getting darker. I think I lost my mind to IF, and it doesn't seem to get any darker, just light discharge, so yay. 

@pblge Actually both my RE and my OB were like "don't fret, just stop". I wish I could have just gotten my OB to say "why don't you stay on it till 20 weeks it doesn't hurt" but no dice.....and SWAMP CROTCH? that must be the word to kill all the sexy...but great knowing it is common!

@mom2seth09 Thanks for the reassurance, that makes me feel much better!

@Neesey man this discharge I tell you, I swear it is stopping the progesterone that is makes it much more noticeable

@xc1148 You are so right! Here I am doubting two people who know way more than me, and who I completely trust! It makes no sense. At all. 

Regan1976

And here I don't even know if they've tested my progesterone levels.  :-O If they have, they've never mentioned it to me. I keep forgetting the morning dose as well. Am I doing something tragic?