TTC, anovulatory cycles and low progesterone

[gossipgirl28]

Hi,

Been TTC for 7 months now. Stopped the mini pill in Dec 2017. Cycles have now regulated and are 24 days long. My AF is very light and only lasts 2-3 days.
I've been doing OPKs and only ever got a positive on Feb this year. I've been temping too each month which shows I don't ovulate.

I've had an ultrasound which showed no abnormalities but my bloods today showed very low progesterone. Bloods were done on cd15 and were 2nmol.

My doctor said yes I'm not ovulating but they won't do anything for 2 years.

I'm 28 and struggling with TTC mentally. Has/is anyone in a similar situation and got pregnant without intervention from your gp? Xx

Hi @gossipgirl28 I'm sorry you're having a tough time. We're very similar in that I stopped the pill in December and have short cycles (23-25 days). I also have very light periods. I thought they would act after ttc for a year, not 2? Is there another doctor in your surgery?

I can't help with your last question as I'm still ttc and not having any luck so far. I've found talking to people on here helps me

Thanks for your reply. Yes I've seen 3 doctors who have ultimately said the same.

I'm in a WhatsApp group with a group of ladies who I met on here who are all lovely support.

I'm just wondering what causes low progesterone and no ovulation. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture to help me relax.

It's so frustrating not being in control isn't it xx

I've just started acupuncture @gossipgirl28 only had one session so far but am seeing a fertility specialist. She's recommended 6 sessions to start with. I said I've got short cycles and quite light so she said she was focusing on the blood flow to the area. I found it very relaxing if nothing else comes of it.

Have they said anything about your partner having any tests? I'm sorry you feel in limbo at the moment xx

It’s most likely that you are ovulating earlier or later than your progesterone test. Have they given you a HSG to check your tubes and womb? An internal and external ultrasound to check your ovaries? Have they checked your AMH, LH, FSH?

My temp doesn't rise through out my cycle and I test twice a day with OPKs from cd8 and they are always negative so I know not ovulating.

An extra ultra sound was done and didn't show any PCOS or anything like that. On cd15 I've had fsh test done which was normal but my Lh was low and so was progesterone
XX

Not had any tests done for my partner but I know it's me :(

My sister’s temperature doesn’t rise for her either (and opks don’t work) but she still managed to conceive first month trying. You and your partner both need tests - don’t assume you are the problem.

Are you near a Nuffield private hospital? They carry out a fertility check including internal ultrasounds and blood tests at a cost that doesn't break the bank, might be of help?

Hi @gossipgirl28

Just wanted to let you know I'm in exactly the same position. Came off the pill November last year. Short cycles with light periods. Some positive OPKs though which detected a luteal phase of 8-9 days. However blood tests with GP show very low progesterone and indicate anovulatory cycles. Had an appointment with a gynae consultant (like you my local Trust will wait 2 years before referring to infertility clinic), and I'm now having a laparoscopy next month (history of endometriosis) to give everything a good clear out, with a view of commencing Clomid in a few months time.

Hope we can go through this journey together as I'm also struggling mentally at the moment with the whole TTC business 🤞

Thanks for your response ladies. The nearest private Nuffield is Manchester about an hour and a half from me.

Has anyone heard of annovulation rectifying by itself and going on to conceive?
Is stress a big factor? I'm wondering if acupuncture may be better at this stAge rather than further ultra sounds (external ultrasound showed my womb lining was good and no cysts).

Any herbal/vitamin suggestions to induce ovulation? Xx

Have you tried soy isoflavones? They are 'natures clomid' and help induce ovulation. They are really cheap from most supermarkets and heathfood shops. Take them like you would clomid for 5 days at the beginning of your cycle

@Cleozeta I've ordered some thanks to try next cycle. I've made enquiries with a local acupuncture and I'm cutting down on the amount of exercise I do to see if this is why I'm not ovulating. I
I do a lot of intense cardio and I've read this can put a lot of stress on the body and affect hormone levels. XX

Good luck, I hope it works for you!

Hi there, low progesterone and some anovulationary cycles were happening to me as well.

I did three things which worked and sorted out my cycle and go my BFP last week.

1. gained some weight - my bmi was about 18, I managed to increase it to 19. Low body weight and body fat tend to lead to luteal phase defects, if severe missed ovulation and if even more severe, missed periods altogether.

2. reduced integrity of my exercise regime (I'm a marathon runner). went from about 40 miles/week to around 25/miles a week. Exercising too much can put the body in a chronicle metabolically reduced state (starvation mode) even when the person maintains a healthy weight! This would result in reproductive hormones, including progesterone not being produced sufficiently

3. took vitex (agnus castus) herbal remedy

Conscious that the above advice is most relevant for those who are exercising a lot and have low bmi, but sharing as may help some women out there!

@snowbrigade thanks very much for your reply.

I'm going to start yoga and do low impact exercise from now on. Usually I exercise almost everyday either running 7 miles on average or cardio in the gym (it helps me de stress and relax). I also have a high protein diet but I have a healthy bmi 21
Did you take Agnus Cactus everyday throughout your cycle? X

@snowbrigade huge congratulations on your bfp! X

Thanks! 😘 I hope it is a sticky bean (still very early days!!)

I took vitex every morning throughout the cycle - took between 15 and 20 drops of the A Vogel tincture (wasn't always 100% accurate in measuring...) Anyway, that amount is about half of what most women take and half of the strength of the pill format. I couldn't have stomached more as it made me a bit nauseous.

Good luck with cutting back a little bit with the exercise. I really struggled with doing that as I love running.

I felt it was unfair that being fit could actually be hurting my chances. 🙁 Was frustrating to accept that basically my body was in evolutionary terms stuck in the past thinking exercise = this poor woman must expand all her energy hunting and gathering trying to find her next meal...

I ultimately then cut back as I wanted to maximise my chances with TTCing naturally. I reached a place where I still benefitted from all of the stress reducing effects of exercise but was just a bit gentler on my body. 😊

Hi sorry just jumping in here .
I’ve started using progesterone cream. Have you looked that up? I usually spot for a week before I’m due on and last month I got it down to 3 days of spotting .

Also if your doing soya isoflavanes don’t do Agnus cactus aswell. They basically cancel each other out - I read somewhere . Good luck . I know it’s super stressful .

Can you not say to your doc you have been trying longer ... how would they know otherwise ? X

Any updates @gossipgirl28?

After investigations it's been found I have a blocked tube due to adhesions/endometriosis, so awaiting consultant follow up to maybe prescribe Clomid

Hi

Sorry just seen your post. Still no sign of a bfp for me! Still tracking my cycles with the ovusense monitor which shows I do ovulate.

I ovulated yesterday cd20 and have DTD lots to cover so I'm going to see how long my luteal phase is this time as that's what the issue is. My shortest lp has been 5 days and my longest has been 8 days. This suggests low progesterone. Xx