period while on progesterone

SunshineShades · January 2015

Hi ladies

I started progesterone on cd 21 this cycle. Today is cd28 and I've noticed some spotting today (did dtd last night not sure if it could be irritation too). I'm not sure if this is AF starting or not because I thought you had to stop the progesterone in order to get a period. Does anyone have any experience?
I do plan to call my doctor tomorrow if it becomes heavier for his opinion but thought I'd ask here too.
Before he told me to start cd21 and if no bfp by cd 35 to stop in order to get my period.

TIA!

MrsG80inTN · January 2015

Hi there - everyone is different. For me, I never have to stop progesterone to get my period... if I'm not pregnant, it just comes despite the progesterone. Other people have to take a test on 14dpo and stop taking if it's negative... Your body might react more similarly to mine.

rmpar29 · January 2015

Just like @MrsG80inTN said, everyone is different and some women can get their period while on the progesterone. Most doctors have you test at 14DPO and if it's negative to stop the progesterone.

SunshineShades · January 2015

Ok Thank! My doctor never mentioned I could so I was under the impression I wouldn't. Guess I'll see what the next day or two bring.

SunshineShades · January 2015

So if it is my period I stop taking it correct til after O next month?

SunshineShades · January 2015

@PetraStonegirl‌ my obgyn. He has me on it as a can't do any harm type thing I suppose.
Originally he said start it after I get a bfp. I mentioned that I've heard of people starting it after O. He decided that I could start sooner. He said cd21 because I know in the past I've O'd as late as (or around) then. My cycles aren't regular though anywhere between 26-35 days previously, though they are more often 29. So he chose the later end of the cycle.

This cycle I took opks for the first time and had a surge day 15. I know that doesn't always guarantee I O'd though.
And no I don't chart as of yet. Mainly because getting pregnant is the easy part it is the staying pregnant that is the issue.

SunshineShades · January 2015

@heartbot‌ yes. I had the positive opk on cd15. Started progesterone on day 21. Originally though he was planning to not have me start at all until I got a bfp.

@PetraStonegirl‌ I didn't know about the 3 day rule. That's interesting since I told him I have O'd as late as cd21 and he told me to start it then. ...

SunshineShades · January 2015

So I called my doctor and his receptionist talked to him and he says to go off the progesterone since I got AF. Now this is the part that after I got off the phone I was like wait what. .. she said that I should take a pregnancy test in 14 days or so (she said after I ovulate) and if it's negative to go back on. None of that makes sense so I'm guessing she misunderstood something. I know I go back on after ovulation anyhow.

rmpar29 · January 2015

@SunshineShades - You really should chart to confirm O so you know when's the right time to start. How do you know that you've O'd as late as CD21 if you haven't been charting?

SunshineShades · January 2015

@rmpar29‌

**lc mentioned - sorry not sure how to go around not mentioning! **

I *know* I've ovulated around there based on the edd of my dd and when I got a positive test with her. As well with my second loss I had a negative test cd31 and then a positive cd35.

I know both of these have room for error etc though.

rmpar29 · January 2015

@SunshineShades - I see. It's hard to base your O date on a +HPT. You don't start building up HCG until implantation happens and that could be anywhere from 3-7 days after O. Every women and pregnancy is different. You might get a +HPT at 10DPO with one, but not until 12 or 15 DPO with another. Also, pregnancy tests are different. If you used a digi you might have needed 50 HCG to turn a test +, while with a FRER only 5-10 might turn a test. I really don't think that you can base your O date on when you got a +HPT.

Do you get O signs, EWCM, O pains?

SunshineShades · January 2015

heartbot said:

rmpar29 said:

@SunshineShades - I see. It's hard to base your O date on a +HPT. You don't start building up HCG until implantation happens and that could be anywhere from 3-7 days after O. Every women and pregnancy is different. You might get a +HPT at 10DPO with one, but not until 12 or 15 DPO with another. Also, pregnancy tests are different. If you used a digi you might have needed 50 HCG to turn a test +, while with a FRER only 5-10 might turn a test. I really don't think that you can base your O date on when you got a +HPT.

Do you get O signs, EWCM, O pains?

This. Also, cycles can change, especially after a loss. I really strongly advise you to start charting while you're taking progesterone, and also maybe think about getting a second opinion, because your OB's advice seems really weird to me.

He's supposed to be really great. I think I'll call next week to talk to him specifically to get clarification. Unfortunately my chances of getting another opinion are slim. To get to this ob I had to basically beg my gp to send me because she didn't think seeing someone else was necessary. So to get another obgyn I need to ask her to refer me out again, and waiting probably a couple months to get into one.

Yahh For free health care and living in an area with only one obgyn.

I will look into charting though. I'm worried about it mainly because my mornings are random because of work and I think it would stress me out a lot. I can be really obsessive and even found doing opks were stressful. I'll discuss it with dh though.

Thanks ladies! !

imnotfancy · January 2015

SunshineShades said:

He's supposed to be really great. I think I'll call next week to talk to him specifically to get clarification. Unfortunately my chances of getting another opinion are slim. To get to this ob I had to basically beg my gp to send me because she didn't think seeing someone else was necessary. So to get another obgyn I need to ask her to refer me out again, and waiting probably a couple months to get into one.

Yahh For free health care and living in an area with only one obgyn.

I will look into charting though. I'm worried about it mainly because my mornings are random because of work and I think it would stress me out a lot. I can be really obsessive and even found doing opks were stressful. I'll discuss it with dh though.

Thanks ladies! !

I agree with other PP that it would be better to temp and confirm O so you can time your progesterone accurately. I can be obsessive as well and I find that temping is a lot easier and less stressful that OPKs. Also, I would find it more stressful to be taking a drug like progesterone without confirming that I've O'd since it can prevent a person from O'ing. And then it would be pointless. I hope that eases your mind about temping. GL

Rachaeleigh · January 2015

I'm kind of late chiming in, but I also always get AF while on progesterone
Also, before taking a medication that could impact ovulation, I would definitely start temping to make sure that I already ovulated.
I completely understand being certain about when you O without temping, but that can still change

beckynsean11 · January 2015

The other ladies have given you great advice on taking the progesterone & charting. I know it seems like a lot to do, but really it takes about 60 seconds of your day & can be really beneficial if you are trying to supplement with progesterone.

To your original question, sometimes my period will start when I'm on progesterone, sometimes it waits until I stop taking it. Your natural progesterone levels will vary cycle to cycle. Even while on supplements, it's possible for your level to drop low enough for your period to begin.

SunshineShades · January 2015

Thanks again everyone! I think I'm going to go grab a thermometer this weekend.

period while on progesterone

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