Will GP prescribe progesterone?

[1woodpecker]

I’ve done 2x home progesterone tests (mid luteal) that were low, have another to do this cycle, and other symptoms indicate low progesterone. Can/will the gp prescribe this or do you need to go private or be referred on by gp? I know there are various (reputable) companies online that will do consultations and prescriptions if not but ideally would want to go via gp

This is pre pregnancy btw not early pregnancy. I think progesterone is the barrier to a Bfp. Admittedly I don’t know what’s causing the low progesterone and perhaps that needs investigating before they do?

My GP told me progesterone can only be prescribed by a fertility specialist - so essentially they’ll recommend it’s prescribed and then the doctor will give it. But until you’ve seen a specialist they won’t give it to you. I’d recommend asking GP for bloods first anyway to get the ball rolling to be referred to fertility specialist as and when then time comes to need to… mine would only refer when we’d been trying 12m+ but think it differs with age (i’m 33) xx

No it’s very unlikely they would prescribe. aim for a day21 progesterone and that’s the basis on which you get referrred.

fertility services here would not accept a referral based on a couple of random low progesterones done at home in the mid luteal phase. You’d need to meet the other criteria for fertility referral etc.

Thank you - would not getting pregnant and bloods not be enough for a referral? (I have had other hormone blood tests done by gp) Or is there a lot more GP does first in terms of investigations?

Depends how long you’ve tried and which bloods you’ve had? Are the bloods nhs?
they won’t accept private ‘fertility’ bloods here.
There’s nhs guidance for referral in each area - have a look and see what you find?
some areas include things like bmi as well

Even with 'proper' bloodwork, you'll have an uphill battle getting a GP or a fertility clinic to prescribe you progesterone for use during your luteal phase prior to a positive test (I say this from experience of having had these conversations myself!) The response you'll get from most is that there is no evidence that progesterone support in the luteal phase increases pregnancy rates (which is true) and that low progesterone is a symptom as opposed to a condition in its own right, so to improve chances of pregnancy you need to resolve whatever is causing your progesterone to be low in the first place. You may get lucky and find one who is prepared to prescribe on a 'can't hurt, might help' basis, but be prepared for it to be a challenge.

Thanks both. I can’t find much information for here other than criteria for IVF.

I guess need to work out why it’s low, who looks at that though, the GP? I just found when I spoke to the GP before they didn’t seem particularly concerned and just said keep trying (but that obviously hadn’t come to anything)

I'm a GP. We would do the initial tests, including a day 21 progesterone (home ones vary wildly in accuracy so I would ignore them) and if you meet the criteria for a fertility referral then would refer on. It's not just as simple as prescribing a progestogen.

Criteria vary by area but generally include age, BMI, smoking, time trying to conceive, previous children etc.

Thanks @waterbottle1234 . Do I need to ask specifically for day 21? As the GP did run bloods but only day 3.
Do GPs also do (or can they do) any testing for males like semen analysis?

Yes your partners's GP does semen analysis, and the referral goes from the woman's GP (if you're registered in two different places). day 21 progesterone usually standard so I would check if that has been missed out.