Can't I rant a hot second?? (Low progesterone)

MrsPinkPeony · April 2014

After TTC baby #2 for 8 cycles (1 CP), I decided to see if my OB would take me for a consultation (I read over and over again that most docs won't see you until you've been trying 12+ months). She provided some guidance and did a progesterone test. Yesterday she called to tell me my levels are low and is having me in for some further testing on day 3 of my next AF.

Besides the disappointment I feel for hearing that there is possibly a medial reason for us not conceiving yet, I feel an extreme frustration that I hadn't gone to see my doc sooner. To my understanding, low progesterone is something that can be remedied. I feel like we wasted months not knowing that there was something else we could do to help us conceive. I had pretty normal charts, but 2 odd cycles, so I chalked it up to having a "wonky" cycle. Those of you dealing with low progesterone, what actions are you taking to help?

So basically, I wish someone told me to go see my doctor earlier in the game. Although everyone is different, if I read a thread like this a few months back, I may have tried to get in to see my OB a little earlier. Thanks for letting me vent!

sister13 · April 2014

On what day did she test your progesterone? And what were your levels?

TheBorg7of9 · April 2014

I have heard this is not the most reliable test. Your levels can vary during the day. I had low levels at 7 dpo on a medicated cycle. But not only had I ovulated, I was actually pregnant. If your charts show ovulation, you are probably ovulating.

nittanyllama · April 2014

I'm sorry you're frustrated that it's not happening quickly, but I don't think you did anything wrong by not running to your doc right away. You're supposed to try on your own for a while before you do that, or else everyone would run to the doctor after a few months of not getting pregnant and that would probably be very unnecessary for most. Know what I mean?

I'm sorry you have a possible problem with progesterone. I hope you get more answers soon.

amylee545 · April 2014

Agreed with PP. That blood test is crap if they didn't do it on the right cycle day. A lot of OBs will test on "CD21" assuming that you ovulate on CD14. But it actually needs to be on 7DPO... if that's when she did it, then you can consider it reliable. If not, then you should go back on the right day because those results mean nothing.

WestCoastGirl05 · April 2014

I'm sorry your feeling this way! I really don't know much about this, so I'm glad that PP's are offering their advice, I just understand the power of empathy. Keeping my fingers crossed that you get this sorted out soon. (((HUGS)))

pippacricket · April 2014

I don't have any advice because I haven't gone through any testing yet myself but I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll get some answers soon.

divinemsbee · April 2014

I'm sorry you're frustrated, but this post rubbed me the wrong way. Just because you 'had a feeling' is not a reason to seek medical help at 8 months if you're under 35, even with a loss (and I'm sorry you went through that, it does indeed suck).

Here's why I'm prickly. I've been trying for almost 18 months (15 cycles, since the last 3ish months either I was on pelvic rest or we've been TTA after my EP). I've had three losses. Only after my third loss that turned out to be an EP did we start to think that there might be something wrong with me. Because, and this is shitty, sometimes things are just a matter of bad luck and/or bad timing. I had absolutely no factors to lead my doctor to believe that something was wrong. I didn't have long cycles/debilitating cramps/super short cycles/a wonky LP or anything else to indicate there could be something up.

I've been where you are (8 months in with a CP). It's hard. But it doesn't mean you (or anyone) need to rush into testing. I was 2 losses and 13 months in before I approached my doctor about starting a work-up. Also, there's an interesting relationship between CPs and progesterone. It could be that you had low progesterone and that contributed to the CP, but it didn't cause it on its own. Or it could be that your body knew it was a CP and wasn't developing properly, so your progesterone stayed low. Honestly, unless you're getting 7DPO (by charting or ultrasound) blood work done to check it, you don't know what your progesterone levels are.

Also, it feels like you're making this an indictment of this board encouraging people with no other issues to wait until necessary before seeking medical advice. And that's shitty. Should I be saying 'I know you guys and prevailing medical opinion told me to wait a year to seek advice, but I really wish you'd told me to get a HSG a year ago regardless of the fact that I had no reason to seek one because it might have prevented my losses?' That's bullshit. This board couldn't know that. My own doctor couldn't know that.

There's a standard of care for a reason. I don't get an MRI for a headache. I guess, this just bugs me because what is your solution for this? Should everyone who just 'feels something is wrong' get a free pass for whatever medical care they feel is appropriate? Even if it takes appointments away from people who don't feel something is wrong early enough or abide by medical standards? Should all women receive a full fertility work-up when they decide to TTC?

For the record, I had low progesterone during my last pregnancy. However, as explained earlier, it's a bit of a chicken or egg situation as to what the cause of it was. I will be receiving correct testing to see if that's an on going issue for me. I will likely be on progesterone suppositories during my TWW if my doctor deems it necessary and I have a low progesterone diagnosis. That would be every TWW until I get pregnant, and then it's normally 8-10 weeks into pregnancy before the treatment stops.

Sorry for the rant/novel guys, but this got under my skin.

sister13 · April 2014

Wrote this earlier and it didn't post!

Also, when you did you have your CP? I'm sorry for your previous loss and it is always frustrating and upsetting to hear there may be a problem. However, I ask the questions above, because if your progesterone is not tested on the correct cycle day, it is meaningless. If you didn't O, then I'm not sure how worthwhile a progesterone test is going to be, regardless of the day - it should be done on 7 DPO. It looks like you had an odd 16 day cycle last cycle where you didn't temp, a normal cycle before that, and a short-ish 21 day cycle before that.

I have read from other ladies on here that a CP can sometimes mess with subsequent cycles. I'm sure some others will chime in.

Otherwise, I do have to add that no, there is no good reason for everyone to run off for testing after less than a year, in the absence of other obvious problems (i.e. not ovulating, consistently short LP, repeat losses, etc.) There are many women here I've seen get pregnant on cycle 11, cycle 12 and there are official medical diagnoses and standards of care for a reason. While it can be frustrating, the medical standard is to seek treatment after trying for 12 months if under 35 and 6 months if over 35.

Can't I rant a hot second?? (Low progesterone)

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