Low Progesterone Levels

[Les13]

Hi, so myself and my boyfriend have been trying for over a year. We’re only 28 and 29, without any luck I haven’t gotten pregnant.
I had my d21 bloods done, my levels were low (didn’t actually give me a number) I had them redone on d28 (waiting to hear back from them).
Was just wondering if anyone has had the same and managed to conceive in the end. I’m at a bit of a loss at what the next steps would be so any information would be much appreciated and welcomed.

Ps, I have a daughter from a previous relationship. I have also been referred to gynaecologist with suspicion of having Endometriosis.

Yes I had this. It's not a very accurate test as it's difficult to know when your progesterone peaks.
I took agnus castus tincture by A Vogel which worked for me, stopped taking it when I got a positive test. She's 12 now

... do some research and see what works for you. I also took pregnancy vitamins including B6 and folic acid of course

Good luck

My periods stopped and progesterone levels were very low in my early 20’s after my first child. I took the combined mini pill for 2/3 cycles then came off and had bloods redone, progesterone levels had been kick started back to normal range and periods soon resumed. Conceived second baby but for me it did take a few years of trying (4) then popped out two boys in two years after that 🤣

My question to you both @custardbear@Seasidevibes what information did you receive from your GP when levels were tested low? My GP doesn’t seem to have a clue and has just referred us to Fertility Clinic however, we don’t live together (we plan on moving in just some circumstances make it difficult just now). From what I have read the Fertility Clinic won’t look at us until we have been living together for at least 2 years.

GP referred us to fertility clinic before they found out I had low progesterone levels as had been trying for a little while already. My ex had his side checked out first as he was 23 years older than me. We’d been living together since I was 20, had first baby at 21 then nothing, for years, I was low weight and had stopped producing progesterone. GP said hormones fluctuate, can get out of kilter with stress and my weight might have been part of issue, also I had been breastfeeding for over a year and that may have contributed.

Oh shit!! That should say 12 years older than me not 23!!! Sorry need to pay attention and check before posting 🤣

Was your test done 7 days after ovulation? My ovulation is messed up due to covid vac and I had my day 21 tests which they wouldn't let me move as HAD TO BE day 21 and it obviously shows I was low 1.6 I think I was. They referred me to fertility as its been almost a year trying and off pill for another year. I have a short luteal phase of 10 days. I'm going to try progesterone cream as I feel like progesterone may be an issue but no idea since they won't let me retest!

@Loops01 yes my second test was done bang on 7days after d21. I heard back from them today to which they said my levels went up. “So they can suggest I ovulated” I asked to talk to a GP just for a little bit more in depth conversation but had to book an appointment. What cream are you looking to use? I can’t seem to find any straight forward ones..

I got Pregnenolone cream to try during luteal phase only. That's good if it went up. You can ask for the value and compare it. I've had a nightmare with my gps not really doing anything so just learning what I can from mumsnet and Google

@Loops01 what is the name of your cream please? Also where was it bought from?
Thank you

@Les13 do you know when you think you ovulated when you did your day 21 test? @Loops01 asked if the test was done at 7dpo but I think you misread? It's important it's done at the right time or else the results will be invalid.

@Les13

My question to you both *@custardbear***@Seasidevibes what information did you receive from your GP when levels were tested low? My GP doesn’t seem to have a clue and has just referred us to Fertility Clinic however, we don’t live together (we plan on moving in just some circumstances make it difficult just now). From what I have read the Fertility Clinic won’t look at us until we have been living together for at least 2 years.

I was referred to gynae consultant, however I tried agnus castus whilst waiting, gynaecology told me to lose some weight as too much or too little can affect fertility - I think my weight loss was helpful as well as AC Can't recall who said it now but hormones rose then fall, the day 21 thing is crude as it may be day 22 or 23 or 19 or 20 amen you peak so you may still be seeing the rising or falling curve point if that makes sense

@Juno231 My first test was done on day 21 (which by then most woman should of ovulated in that time). My results came back back as low but my second one was done on day 28. To which my results went up. They were both done on the correct days.

@custardbear Yeah I’m so happy they went up. I’ve got an appointment with my GP on Wednesday. So hopefully we can discuss in a bit more depth my results. I’d like to know the actual numbers.

Hi I'm in a slightly similar situation and I thought my experience might help you a bit. We've been TTC #2 for 11 months now and no luck. I went to the drs as my cycles have got pretty short 20-23days used to be 25-27. After having to push a bit they did 21day bloods, these came back low (15), so not terrible but dr said it doesn't prove I ovulated for sure. The cycle they tested was the same one where I had my Covid vac and was a bit messed up compared to normal. My dr said they like to do tests on 3 cycles as sometimes you can have an off cycle, so I had repeat bloods done on Friday and hopefully will get the results tomorrow. She did suggest that if they are low then it suggests I'm not ovulating and they could prescribe Clomid or similar to help. I'm not convinced it's an ovulation issue but potentially more of a luteal phase issue, it's only about 6 days!

It might be worth pushing to get them to repeat the tests. Also I picked a gp from my surgery who has an interest in this kind of thing, so I think that may have helped, although it is a nightmare trying to get an appointment with her as she's so busy.

@Cantthinkofaname99

Thank you for sharing your experience. I was going to ask them to maybe repeat the bloods next month for the reason you say, it might be a bit of an off month.
My periods were actually due on Wednesday just gone and still nothing yet. But over the last year this isn’t something uncommon for myself. Things like stress and diet can affect my periods.
I’m going to mention Clomid to the GP as I have read it can kick start your levels to rise.
Unfortunately it is all just a bit of a waiting game. The thing that makes all this easier is my partner, he is so supportive. He’s also said if things don’t work then it’s okay as he sees my daughter as his own.

@Les13 any sign of your period yet? Mines due any day now.

Glad your partner is being supportive with it all.

Spoke to the dr today and my test results came back with progesterone levels of 10, so even lower than last time 😔. Dr wants me to do another blood test ( said will skip a cycle as have 2nd Covid vac) but will refer me to a specialist now anyway, sounds like it might be a long wait. I think I got it wrong that the dr can prescribe Clomid sounds like it needs to be a specialist, I think she was just saying that's something that can be done. Sounds like I've just got to wait it out, she did say just keep trying though as just because I've had a couple of low months doesn't mine mean I won't have months when I ovulate fine.

@Cantthinkofaname99 no sign of my periods at all. But over the last year this isn’t uncommon for me. I’ve had 1 or 2 months with none.
I’m sorry to hear your levels came back lower than before. The waiting is the worst part. I’m struggling to find anything that can lift your levels, it does seem like it would be the specialist who would prescribe the clomid.
My partner has his appointment at fertility clinic today to look at his side of things so hoping they are good there.

X

@Les13 that sounds so frustrating, will you test or just wait it out? I would definitely be testing!! I'm on day 24 which is the longest I've had since January (except month I had my Covid jab but even then had spotting earlier), if I hadn't had my bloods done this month I think I would be starting to get my hopes up!

Hope all went ok with your partners appointment.

@Cantthinkofaname99 I’ve tested before and got my hopes up. So I’m going to wait til about 2 weeks late (if they continue to be late) and then I will test.
Come to think about it, I got my first vaccine 21/06 so maybe my periods coming has something to do with that. 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I have the GP calling tomorrow to discuss how to track my ovulation. Thank you, he said it wasn’t that bad but we have a 3 week wait for his results. X

So I had the GP call me yesterday and I feel much more reassured. My day 21 test my progesterone levels were 1.1 but on my day 28 my levels were 39.5. So they think I ovulated later this month. Still being referred to fertility clinic. I think it’s a bit of a waiting game now.

That's good news, your 28day levels seem good.

Do you track your ovulation with opks? I'm just wondering as your cycles are irregular it might give you a better idea of when your ovulating, so when to DTD but also when your period is due?

@Cantthinkofaname99 So sorry, didn’t get a notification that you sent the last message.

So I had a gynaecology appointment and it seems to be I have Poly Cystic Ovaries and a very mild case of Endometriosis. So it seems to be a bit of a muddle. Some months I ovulate some months I don’t.

But my good news is I am pregnant!! Not very far along but hoping everything is okay.

@Les13 that's fine, I've been trying to take a bit of a break from MN anyway, I think it was making me obsess even more about everything.

Congratulations on the pregnancy, hope it's all going well!

Sounds like you got a few answers too which is always good.

Out of interest how long did it take from your referral till our gynaecology appointment? I've been referred but considering going private as I've heard the waiting lists are crazy.

@Cantthinkofaname99 it turns out I fell pregnant when I actually stopped trying. I put to the back of my head as other things were happening.

Yeah I think a lot of my worry came from not knowing what was going on which then had a knock on affect with conceiving. But so far so good. Just taking it all as it come as I’ve miscarried before and know that these things happen.

I was referred as an emergency but I did have about a 5/6 week wait.

What are the symptoms of low progesterone