How did you end up getting progesterone support?

[Lexemy]

Hi everyone
I’m going through a miscarriage at the moment - likely missed miscarriage and the tortuous 10 day wait till next scan should end on Monday. I’m braced it’s a formality as hcg wasn’t doubling, I was already 2 weeks too small (certain of my dates) and have a massive subchorionic haematoma.

Although I was lucky enough to have my son in 2019, I did have 2 failed pregnancies before him - both characterised with subchorionic haematomas and being small for size.

I’m fortunate in that I seem to be able to conceive, albeit I have a short luteal phase since my periods returned after the birth of my son. I have a feeling I could do with some progesterone suppositories to give myself the best chance next time. Just wondering how people went about getting this?

I live in an area where there’s limited nhs support for fertility challenges. I’d consider going privately but don’t want to pay for unnecessary work ups etc as suspect my issue is short luteal phase and therefore low progesterone.

Thank you!

Firstly so sorry for the situation you’re in I’ve just been through the same.

I have nothing to offer but want to follow this as in a similar boat. Spoke to GP who mentioned something vague around a referral but all very nonspecific and I don’t have time on my hand so lurking on here if that’s ok to see what answer you get.

@Lexemy so sorry for your loss

I have a short luteal phase too but my GP wasn't very helpful unfortunately - I think hormone balance is such a complicated topic GPs probably don't have the in depth knowledge to confidently prescribe things like progesterone but obviously this is generalising so may not be the case with yours. I am now on cyclogest pessaries after visiting a private consultant. I get them delivered by pharmasure, a pharmacy specialising in fertility medication but a prescription is required.

@Mum2baby07 yes, of course! I’m so sorry you’re going through this ride too.

@LondonladyTTC

Thank you so much. Did you self refer? Did the private consultant want to do lots of tests etc before prescribing or were they happy with your history to go for it? My fear with going private is being enticed to pay for tests that I might not really need.

@Lexemy I'm sorry you're going through this.
I'd ask your GP to refer you to Tommy's. They're usually quite good with giving out progesterone and you definitely qualify for their care after 3 miscarriages.

I've been on it twice now. It wasn't what I needed but I was offered it, so I took it.
The first time I miscarried, the second time I didn't but I also now the reasons for my previous miscarriages and progesterone wasn't the issue.

Just keep in mind that it does not necessarily prevent a miscarriage - if something was wrong with the baby, then the progesterone won't be able to stop the baby dying but it would potentially delay a miscarriage.

@NoCallerID

Thank you, and for your honesty. Sorry for your losses too.

Yes, I’m open to the fact that many times it’s a genetic issue from the get-go, so progesterone won’t change the outcome in that situation.

Thank you - I’ll ask GP about the Tommy’s route.

I asked my GP for progesterone after an early miscarriage in February when I got pregnant again the month after. I waited a week for a response before the request was turned down.

I subsequently had a MMC of twins at just over 9 weeks and I won't know whether progesterone would have made a difference.

I have seen a clinic called Nova Fertility mentioned on here before. I think they do online consultations and are more willing to issue you a prescription on the basis that it won't harm but could help.

If I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again I'm going to contact them.

I went privately to my consultant and now also see her on the nhs. After three mc she now said if I get another bfp she will prescribe it

Thanks all for the info and help! I’ll contact my GP for advice

www.tommys.org/sites/default/files/legacy/PRISM%20Infographic_v4_1.pdf

This infographic is designed to be shared with your GP or other health professional. If you’ve had a miscarriage with early bleeding (your sch should count) then you’re entitled to ask for progesterone.

Good luck. I had to have three awful miscarriages before anyone would help me, but this trial changed things.

I've had 2 successive miscarriages and made a private online appointment with the consultant at Nova Fertility. She's prescribed me a plethora of medication including progesterone, clexane and high dose folic acid. The appointment was £150 and the medication around £650.

Tried the NHS route but they won't do anything until you have three miscarriages in a row.

Oh, and steroids too.

Gosh that's expensive! How long is the medication for?

From BFP to 12 weeks. Most of the medication wasn't too bad - it's the progesterone that's the most expensive and costs ££££

@DappledOliveGroves

Thank you so much for sharing your story - this is really helpful. Though I wish that neither you, nor none of the rest of us need it. Nevertheless it’s really helpful.

@Greytminds thank you. This is really helpful too. I am not looking forward to doing battle with the GP ...

@toadstool32 @TBF29 thank you for sharing and sorry for your losses too.

I’m still in limbo though been getting tell tale cramps. Seen more red blood. Keep wishing it would just happen so tomorrow could just be to confirm it’s done. I’m still so upset that I’ve had to wait so long for what was a foregone conclusion but feeling really armed with more info from all you lovely ladies. Just want to get moving forwards now.

GPs are extremely unlikely to prescribe progesterone themselves - they generally do not have the specialist knowledge required and it would actually be frowned upon to do so without significant expertise in the area. You need to be asking your GP for a referral to a fertility specialist for the miscarriages, rather than telling them you need progesterone. Specialists may prescribe progesterone, or ask your GP to prescribe it on the understanding that the specialist would manage your ongoing treatment. So you should prepare to put your vase forward for why you should be referred, rather than why you need progesterone. (Info from my partner who is a GP.)

@Noodella18 yep but even my GP will be difficult to convince for a referral. We get zilch fertility support in my NHS CCG area. Terrible. The EPU I’m with which is in a different area mentioned they’d hopefully refer me to the recurrent miscarriage clinic today.

@Lexemy hope you get a good outcome from EPU today regarding a referral

@Mum2baby07

Thank you! They are going to do the referral. But a very confusing morning. Pregnancy had grown and embryo visible but no heartbeat. Rescanned by a consultant to try to confirm miscarriage but it’s within margin of error under new guidelines to maybe not see a heartbeat yet. So I’m booked both for a rescan and surgical management pending confirmation of new heartbeat on Friday. I know in my head that the embryo is sadly too small given I’d have found out I was pregnant 2 days after conception by this size. But damn the uncertainty gives an irrational and painful glimmer of hope, which I rationally know to be hopeless.

Oh @Lexemy my heart goes out to you! This is the same situation I found myself in. Went expecting for it to be confirmed as a non-viable pregnancy but because there had been developments since the last scan they refused to confirm a non-viable pregnancy and I was told to return in 11 days for a rescan. I miscarried 9 days later. I knew in my heart something was wrong but you still start to hope you might be wrong after they tell you things are developing. I hope for you it is a positive but I know how you’re feeling. If you want to DM me to chat anytime please don’t hesitate x

@Mum2baby07 awww I’m so sorry you went through the purgatory of waiting too.

The last 11 days have been so difficult. I’m sure I didn’t have to wait as long last time but that time the sac wasn’t growing.

The consultant did say (kindly) he was pretty certain Friday’s scan won’t change the outcome, but asked me to humour him for clinical governance reasons. So be it.