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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Low progesterone levels and not ovulating

12 replies

HazelEmma · 29/04/2014 10:54

Hello,

We've been TTC for about 18 months now, I had a progesterone test done a few weeks ago and have only just worked up the courage to call for my results. They were not good, apparently I have a level 1 (??) which means that I am not ovulating. I am absolutely devastated. I have been told that I am not entitled to any NHS help as I already have an 8 year old. I am baffled as I had no problems conceiving him. Not entirely sure what to do now but obviously in floods of tears and feel like its the end of the world :( Anyone been through similar?

OP posts:

Lanabelle · 29/04/2014 11:07

maybe PCOS? anovulation is one sign of being polycystic as are screwy hormone levels. if you are not ovulating you could ask your GP if you can be prescribed clomid (brand name for clomiphene) to encourage your cycle? don't know if that helped any but worth a shot

Lanabelle · 29/04/2014 11:11

Maybe take a peek at this. Could help explain a bit more and it has some other suggestions at the bottom of the page infertility.about.com/od/causesofinfertility/a/anovulation.htm

Original poster

HazelEmma · 29/04/2014 12:37

Thank you Lanabelle, that informations really helpful. I used to have PCOS a few years ago and had a scan about 6 months ago but I was told that I was fine and there was no sign of it. I might ask for another scan as I do have quite a lot of the symptoms again. Will the doctor prescribe me clomid since I already have a child? Am waiting for the doctor to call me now and am going to ask for all the help I can get.

OP posts:

Original poster

HazelEmma · 29/04/2014 12:43

So I've just spoken to the Doctor and shes told me that the scan I had 6 months ago DID show 12 cysts!! A bit annoyed about that as nobody has ever said anything to me about it! She said that I wasn't entitled to any drugs or help at all on the NHS, and that I just had to wait and she would do another progesterone test in 6 months :( Considering going private...

OP posts:

naty1 · 30/04/2014 14:53

If you have had a baby you must have been ovulating then.
Have you gained weight since then as a weight loss could get you ovulating again.
Especially as you are having symptoms again.
Metformin also might help (if they will prescribe) if you have high insulin levels

Original poster

HazelEmma · 30/04/2014 16:53

I haven't really gained a huge amount of weight, maybe a stone? But I was a professional athlete when I had my son, so obviously I am not going to be the same weight and build as I was back then!
I went to see another doctor again today and she mentioned Metformin but was reluctant to prescribe it saying she wanted to check with colleagues first (sigh) and I haven't had a call back yet. She said it was usually prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes or PCOS who needed to lose some weight so she wasn't sure whether it was appropriate for me as there wasn't a huge amount of evidence that it can help women TTC.
She confirmed the scan also showed I had twelve cysts which I am very angry about as the scan was done in September and I was led to believe I was fine!

OP posts:

eurochick · 30/04/2014 17:18

Does 12 cysts = 12 follicles in total? If so, that doesn't sound particularly polycycstic. My IVF clinic considered 13+ per ovary to be polycystic. It's normal to have a few follicles per ovary.

I hope you can get some answers.

NatashaBee · 30/04/2014 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

HazelEmma · 30/04/2014 18:11

eurochick thats really interesting, I wonder why the Doctors are telling me that my ovaries are polycystic then...? I'm even more baffled now.

NatashaBee I just spoke to the Doctor again and she told me that after consulting colleagues they had said that Metformin was not suitable for me. And so therefore she couldn't do anything more to help me! Doh! I hadn't heard that a low GI diet can help, I eat pretty healthily already, but I shall definitely give low GI a go! I don't suppose you know of any website that are helpfulon this?

OP posts:

naty1 · 30/04/2014 18:11

I dont know if metformin made me ovulate but i have gotten cm which i never do.
Interesting though as i wouldnt expect an athlete to suffer from this, as i assume you are burning the energy but i guess possibly eating a lot of carbs.
My gp has been very reluctant on the metformin, in fact it was never mentioned until i was at fertility clinic and i was only given 6 weeks for each ivf.
Latest consultant has said to stay on it till next treatment as it takes 3 months for eggs to develop.
Im 9 stone but trying to get down to 8st 7 before next treatment by walking more etc. but not sure how much it will help my insulin resistance.
I also have a thyroid problem and short luteal phase.

NatashaBee · 30/04/2014 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Leanne348 · 15/09/2014 16:03

Hi so I'm on here out of desperation! I too had results back today saying reading 1, doctor didn't explain much, I have regular periods a 24 day cycle, and have had 3 pregnancies never struggled to get pregnant, been trying to conceive for 2 years after having the coil, the coil hurt so much I had to have it taken out, my youngest is 7 and I really wanted just one more with my partner as he doesn't have a child of he's own! I am absolutely devastated and been told oh wait to see gyna we don't really know anything more! I am also having the goo like discharge that most say is the egg! Could they be wrong? What could it be? I'm so confused, what can be done for it?

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