convinced i have low progesterone (come in those who have this)

babes12 · November 2010

i'm almost certain i have low progesterone. i was just putting together my list for my ob next week and doing some more research on low progesterone and i'm convinced that is why i'm having such a difficult time getting pg. and staying pg.

the only cycle i took 2 vitex pills throughout my entire cycle was the cycle i got pg. but had my m/c. (i stopped taking vitex the minute i found out i was pg.) All other cycles i only took 1 pill/day and/or stopped taking it during my LP.
i can see a clear difference in my temps (thermal shift) when i take vitex and when i don't. For example this cycle no vitex during LP and my temps are low and stay even.
i can't sleep during the 2ww and am irritable.
i spot for days before af arrives. and now started spotting before O too.
and i read sometimes peeps w/ low progesterone have cysts and maybe this is what's causing me to have such painful ovulation for days before i O?

So if you got this far thank you and for those of you diagnosed w/ LPD or progesterone defiency did you have any similar symptoms and how was it diagnosed? What are you doing now for it?

Thanks!

Clerk9 · November 2010

Oh, Babes.

I don't know the answer to your questions. But I wanted you to know that I'm here thinking of you & cheering for you every step of the way. I hope you get some good answers ASAP & a great plan to get your body back on track.

((HUGE HUGS))

What day next week is your appointment?

babes12 · November 2010

Clerk9:

Oh, Babes.

I don't know the answer to your questions. But I wanted you to know that I'm here thinking of you & cheering for you every step of the way. I hope you get some good answers ASAP & a great plan to get your body back on track.

((HUGE HUGS))

What day next week is your appointment?

Thanks Clerk9 for always being so supportive. Smile i'm cheering for you and that BFP!!!

my appointment is next thurs. the 18th. My only concern now is that they'll want to test my progesterone level during the LP so i don't want to start vitex again b/c i want an accurate test result. so that pretty much guarantee's another BFN next cycle.

Clerk9 · November 2010

I really hope they're able to do all of the necessary testing without having to sacrifice a cycle...

You definitely need to let us know what they say at your appointment! I hope they're able to find something easily treatable (with low progesterone, you can use supplements, right?).

::Fingers crossed::

mdm2137 · November 2010

I'm sorry I don't have any advice or answers for you. I hope you can get some answers from your OB and figure this out. ((hugs))

babes12 · November 2010

Clerk9:

I really hope they're able to do all of the necessary testing without having to sacrifice a cycle...

You definitely need to let us know what they say at your appointment! I hope they're able to find something easily treatable (with low progesterone, you can use supplements, right?).

::Fingers crossed::

Definitely will do an update post after my appointment next week.

i saw that clomid is prescribed for those w/ low progesterone or progesterone suppositories.

JuJuBe3 · November 2010

I had temp issues and a lot of pre-AF spotting. I didn't have O pain, at least not consistently. My doctor thought from the spotting alone that I had low progesterone and she put on me on prometrium (200mg per day) post-O until AF arrived or I got a BFP.

It made a big difference. I hope your doctor listens to your concerns and has a simple solution for you. And if not, I'd gladly offer what I have left to see if it helps you.

Wishing you the best, babes!

suntoto · November 2010

Have you ever been monitored for a cycle? Are you working with an RE?

babes12 · November 2010

suntoto:
Have you ever been monitored for a cycle? Are you working with an RE?

Never been monitored.

I'm going to my OB next week to speak to them about either seeing an RE or getting some testing done (the OB said they would refer me to an RE if i wasn't pg. by this Dec.). My spotting issues are getting worse (longer and at random times of my cycle).

babes12 · November 2010

toddandjulie:

I had temp issues and a lot of pre-AF spotting. I didn't have O pain, at least not consistently. My doctor thought from the spotting alone that I had low progesterone and she put on me on prometrium (200mg per day) post-O until AF arrived or I got a BFP.

It made a big difference. I hope your doctor listens to your concerns and has a simple solution for you. And if not, I'd gladly offer what I have left to see if it helps you.

Wishing you the best, babes!

My docs never seemed concerned about the spotting issues, i guess b/c i had one successful pregnancy already. However, i was 28 then. now i'm 32, i know it's not a huge difference but in that time i lost my 2nd son and had a m/c. i truly believe something is wrong.

suntoto · November 2010

babes12:
suntoto:
Have you ever been monitored for a cycle? Are you working with an RE?

Never been monitored.

I'm going to my OB next week to speak to them about either seeing an RE or getting some testing done (the OB said they would refer me to an RE if i wasn't pg. by this Dec.). My spotting issues are getting worse (longer and at random times of my cycle).

Can you directly go to an RE? I know some insurance co's don't like that, but I think you will get more out of it. All the tests your OB will do are the same ones an RE will do and they tend to have more specific knowledge on this stuff. It might be easier than getting tests done in duplicates, KWIM?

babes12 · November 2010

suntoto:
babes12:

suntoto:
Have you ever been monitored for a cycle? Are you working with an RE?

Never been monitored.

I'm going to my OB next week to speak to them about either seeing an RE or getting some testing done (the OB said they would refer me to an RE if i wasn't pg. by this Dec.). My spotting issues are getting worse (longer and at random times of my cycle).

Can you directly go to an RE? I know some insurance co's don't like that, but I think you will get more out of it. All the tests your OB will do are the same ones an RE will do and they tend to have more specific knowledge on this stuff. It might be easier than getting tests done in duplicates, KWIM?

i think i could go straight to an RE but i kinda wanted to talk to my ob about everything first. that may sound silly but she was so kind and caring to me throughout both my pregnancies and she knows my history etc... i'm probably making this harder on myself by not going right to an RE. But hopefully she'll give me the referral to an RE next week.

Olive44 · November 2010

I have low progesterone/LPD. The main sign was the spotting during LP. when I take prog during the LP, I don't spot at all. I would think if you are spotting for days before AF, that it's probaby a progesterone issue. I agree about going straight to an RE. I would also say that you shouldn't take the vitex this cycle so that you get accurate test results. I know it's one more cycle down the tubes, but the most important thing right now is figuring out the problem. Big hugs to you.

AppleRidge · November 2010

I definitely think you're on to something. My post-O temps were always pretty good, but I did have problems with early spotting and short LP. My dr. did nothing to diagnose it besides listening to my concerns; he just went ahead and put me on progesterone supplements.

He said there's really no reason to test for LPD and progesterone deficiency because the most accurate test - an endometrial biopsy - is unnecessarily invasive when the treatment is the same either way. He also offered Clomid. That is supposedly the better treatment for LPD because it keeps the hormone levels balanced throughout the cycle and encourages a stronger O. I refused it because I was afraid of multiples.

Good luck to ya!

babes12 · November 2010

Olive44:
I have low progesterone/LPD. The main sign was the spotting during LP. when I take prog during the LP, I don't spot at all. I would think if you are spotting for days before AF, that it's probaby a progesterone issue. I agree about going straight to an RE. I would also say that you shouldn't take the vitex this cycle so that you get accurate test results. I know it's one more cycle down the tubes, but the most important thing right now is figuring out the problem. Big hugs to you.

Definitely not taking vitex this cycle b/c i want accurate results so i'll know for sure if i do in fact have low progesterone but it does suck that it will probably be another cycle down the drain. boo.

i'm pretty sure my ob is going to give me a referal to an RE so that will be good.

babes12 · November 2010

BBHME:

I definitely think you're on to something. My post-O temps were always pretty good, but I did have problems with early spotting and short LP. My dr. did nothing to diagnose it besides listening to my concerns; he just went ahead and put me on progesterone supplements.

He said there's really no reason to test for LPD and progesterone deficiency because the most accurate test - an endometrial biopsy - is unnecessarily invasive when the treatment is the same either way. He also offered Clomid. That is supposedly the better treatment for LPD because it keeps the hormone levels balanced throughout the cycle and encourages a stronger O. I refused it because I was afraid of multiples.

Good luck to ya!

i'm hoping it's an easy fix and as simple as prog. supplements that would be so nice.

I've tried everything to stop the pre-af spotting and nothing has worked. i took vitex, red rasberry tea leaf, and 100mg of b6 and nothing has worked. even this cycle even though i stopped vitex at O i'm still taking b6 and i had the earliest spotting ever. grr..

babes12 · November 2010

Ladies, Thanks so much for discussing this w/ me. i really appreciate everyone's comments/advice. Big Smile

DoingItRight · November 2010

Have you had a HSG done? This is what my RE is doing to look into my spotting before AF.

babes12 · November 2010

DoingItRight:
Have you had a HSG done? This is what my RE is doing to look into my spotting before AF.

nope, never had anything done about the spotting or any testing done in general. but this time i'm demanding something to be done. i've had it and want answers. lol

TeacherVicky · November 2010

I don't have any answers for you, but I think I also have low prog. I always have a few days of spotting before my period and it's been particularly bad since my last m/c.

My doctor doesn't want to test my post O prog levels and doesn't want to entertain the thought of putting me on prog supplements. Which is really frustrating.

I am going to start taking Vitex as I have already tried B6 and it didn't have an effect on my LP/spotting.

Keep us updated - I'd like to know what your dr says!

butterfly843 · November 2010

Hope you get some answers at your next appt. Will keep you in my thoughts and can't wait to hear what the dr says next week.

babes12 · November 2010

TeacherVicky:

I don't have any answers for you, but I think I also have low prog. I always have a few days of spotting before my period and it's been particularly bad since my last m/c.

My doctor doesn't want to test my post O prog levels and doesn't want to entertain the thought of putting me on prog supplements. Which is really frustrating.

I am going to start taking Vitex as I have already tried B6 and it didn't have an effect on my LP/spotting.

Keep us updated - I'd like to know what your dr says!

did your doc say why he doesn't want to even think about prog. supplements? i'm hoping my ob does something b/c i truly believe my hormones are all messed up especially w/ all the spotting and YI's i get in the 2nd half of my cycle.

DoingItRight · November 2010

babes12:

DoingItRight:
Have you had a HSG done? This is what my RE is doing to look into my spotting before AF.

nope, never had anything done about the spotting or any testing done in general. but this time i'm demanding something to be done. i've had it and want answers. lol

I hope that you get answers at your appointment and a Referral to an RE. I feel like the RE listened to me a lot more than my OB.

sunshinenva · November 2010

It took almost a year before they decided to test my progesterone levels! The bloodwork revealed that I made close to zero progesterone and that was contributing to no pregnancies. They had me take progesterone vaginal suppositories everyday after I ovulated or now after my iui procedures. The meds helped. This past month I paid out of pocket for progesterone injections because the other meds were messy and caused me irritation, which you may want to ask your doctor about because I know you have problems with YI. Injections gave me a progesterone level of 60. I say go get tested. It is a series of 3 blood tests during one cycle if I remember correctly. GL

babes12 · November 2010

sunshinenva:

It took almost a year before they decided to test my progesterone levels! The bloodwork revealed that I made close to zero progesterone and that was contributing to no pregnancies. They had me take progesterone vaginal suppositories everyday after I ovulated or now after my iui procedures. The meds helped. This past month I paid out of pocket for progesterone injections because the other meds were messy and caused me irritation, which you may want to ask your doctor about because I know you have problems with YI. Injections gave me a progesterone level of 60. I say go get tested. It is a series of 3 blood tests during one cycle if I remember correctly. GL

i really want to be tested so i'm hoping my ob or RE agrees.

eeck to injections!!!! but knowing me and my YI's i probably would have to do that too. sigh. why can't anything be easy.

sunshinenva · November 2010

babes12:
sunshinenva:

It took almost a year before they decided to test my progesterone levels! The bloodwork revealed that I made close to zero progesterone and that was contributing to no pregnancies. They had me take progesterone vaginal suppositories everyday after I ovulated or now after my iui procedures. The meds helped. This past month I paid out of pocket for progesterone injections because the other meds were messy and caused me irritation, which you may want to ask your doctor about because I know you have problems with YI. Injections gave me a progesterone level of 60. I say go get tested. It is a series of 3 blood tests during one cycle if I remember correctly. GL

i really want to be tested so i'm hoping my ob or RE agrees.

eeck to injections!!!! but knowing me and my YI's i probably would have to do that too. sigh. why can't anything be easy.

GL and I agree...Why can't anything be easy????

SweetieD21 · November 2010

I'm late to this but thought I'd still reply.

I was diagnosed with low prog by my RE. My cycles were a normal length (30-32 days), I was charting and it showed O, but I was having spotting for 4-5 days before AF and I wasn't getting pregnant. After ttc for a year, I went to my OB who ordered DH's SA, my b/w and my HSG. The HSG and SA came back fine, and she said my b/w was fine too. Said we were young, healthy, and had gotten pg easily before (by that time it was a year a half since my loss at 18 wks). I couldn't shake the feeling that something had to be wrong so I made an appt with an RE. I was extremely nervous but it was the best decision I could have made! The RE took one look at my b/w the OB had done and said I had low progesterone. My progesterone was high enough to indicate O, but not high enough to support a pregnancy...because it showed I was Oing, my OB probably thought it was fine (remember, OB's are not fertility specialists, as I came to realize!). My RE ordered another round of b/w just to confirm then put me on clomid. The 50mg of clomid increased my progesterone but not as high as the RE would have liked. Most drs like your progesterone to be at least 10 on a non medicated cycle and at least 15 on a medicated cycle. I was also still spotting before AF. So, my RE upped my clomid to 100mg. That cycle the RE also did a post-coital test to check out my cm. It showed that I had hostile cm (very common side effect of clomid), but I had a nice lining and nice sized follie so we did IUI that cycle. BFN so the RE suggested a laparoscopy to find out if there was anything else causing my infertility, imparticular the pre-AF spotting. He removed uterine polyps and endometriosis, both of which can cause pre-AF spotting. The next cycle we did 100mg clomid and IUI again. I got a BFP twice on this protocol. One thing I remember reading about spotting is that any spotting for more than a day or two is usually indicative of a problem.

Just like you, I got pregnant easily once, but then started having issues. Our bodies can change at any time and problems can set it. I really hope you get the answers you're looking for!

Want a personalized experience?

convinced i have low progesterone (come in those who have this)

Re: convinced i have low progesterone (come in those who have this)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards