low progesterone levels - how is it diagnosed and how does it affect fertility?

[livinlavidaloca]

Hi everyone, I've always had irregular periods - always between 5 and 7 weeks between them, occassionally longer. I looked up reasons online and came across low progesterone - I also have a few of the other symptoms - insomnia, mood swings and anxiety. I've got an appointment with the doctor next week and will mention this but I just wondered to prepare me - how do they diagnose it? and how does it affect ttc and pregnancy? I read it can cause miscarriage - do they monitor your progesterone levels through pregnancy? ant help is appreciated, thank you.

Hi. I had a progesterone test done after ovulation to test whether I was ovulating. How long have you been ttc? If its over a year they should do some basic tests which include a day 21 progesterone test and day 3 fsh and lh hormones.

Ordinarily they wouldn't monitor it through pregnancy but if you've had a previous miscarriage/s they may monitor subsequent pregnancies for hcg/ progesterone.

Thank you for your reply, we haven't begun ttc yet, wanted to do all my research first - i.e tracking my ovulation which is turning out to be near on impossible because the calculations only seem to work if your periods are regular. Also wanted to find out exactly what's 'wrong' and try and get into a regular cycle for a while, if possible, before ttc. What is a day 3 fsh and lh hormones? sorry, don't have a clue about all this.

Hi again. The tests I mention are the early investigations to check if you are actually fertile , if you've been having problems conceiving (after a year). So I'm not sure if you'll be offered any tests for a long cycle or not.

Your first point of action should be a chat with your gp.

Have you any idea if you're ovulating? I'd recommend looking up the signs of ovulation and see if you get them at any point during your cycle and if you do, that'll give you an idea of when you should be having sex.

Until you speak to your gp I wouldn't google ... It can drive you crazy (here speaks the voice of ttc experience)

Low progesterone tends to be a symptom rather than a cause if you see what I mean. If your prog is low on your 'day 21' blood test it may mean you didn't ovulate or ovulated later or earlier than you thought.
Low prog levels in early pregnancy suggest a failing pregnancy. The jury is still out on whether progesterone supplements help in ladies with recurrent miscarriage (there is a clinical trial on at the moment).