Super Low Progesterone and Anovulation

[Tecalina]

Hello all,

Hoping to find some people in a similar situation to myself and share experiences, tips and advice. I am completely new to Mumsnet, but I've heard it can really help during sad times.

I'm 32 and my partner and I have been TTC for a year now, but found out a couple of months ago that my progesterone is only at 1ng/mL approaching peak and internal examinations have concluded I've not been ovulating. My 'period' (if you can call it that!) arrives every 20-22 days and lasts for 3-4 days, on and off.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? My heart has shattered completely and I feel so alone in all of this xx

Sorry you find yourself here, and it must feel so hard, but it is very useful that you have some idea of the issue, some people TTC for a long time without finding any reason why nothing is happening.

After you'd had the tests what options were you given? I'd guess as a first step you'd be offered Clomid to see if it could make you ovulate. There are other drugs with similar objective.

Eek now I feel very selfish! I think my sadness comes from a string of medical concerns and life hiccups over the last decade and I'm just fed up.

I've been offered nothing by way of options as my GP surgery is currently closed and only offering emergency advice. Hence why I posted on here I've heard of Clomid but wasn't sure if that was a potential.

Huge apologies if I'm sounding too self-involved but unfortunately I'm feeling incredibly alone in all of this. All of my friends have conceived with ease so I have no one to talk to. I just wanted to see if anyone here could help me understand more and maybe give me hope during these isolating times

I don't think @JeNeBaguetteRien was trying to make you feel selfish - just to help you realise that a diagnosis is a GOOD thing. It means the problem might be overcome. If you don't know what the issue is, it can't be treated. It's a hopeful situation to be in, even though each day you don't get treatment feels like a lifetime!

What day of your cycle was the progesterone test taken?

No no please, I wasn't trying to make you feel selfish, just trying to look for some hope in a difficult situation and understand a bit better where you are in the process.

Were all those tests you had done via your GP surgery? It's just that the internal examinations made me think you'd been tested at a fertility clinic (whether NHS or private) and had ultrasound scans of your ovaries.
If that was the case I'd expect the clinic to follow up with you, but if not I'd expect your GP to refer you to see what's available.
If you have been to a clinic try contacting them to see when they are reopening, they might well be starting off with less invasive treatments similar to Clomid.

It's very hard when friends get pregnant and have babies easily, it is a lonely experience but I think you will find support on here. 💐

Thank you @physicskate, that is what I was trying to say!

Phew! I wouldn't never want people to assume I thought my problems were the worst ever 🙈
I definitely know things could be worse and my heart goes out to anyone who is dealing with undiagnosed issues 😊 I just have no idea how treatable it all is because I haven’t been able to catch up with my GP and the information online is very overwhelming!

@Physicskate, I’ve had progesterone tested twice in the last 6 months, both on day 14 as I have such short cycles. My ‘period’ is also very light (one mini pad a day), which I’ve been told is due to my lack of lining.

@JeNeBaguetteRien, I had a pelvic ultrasound and twice they’ve put the camera inside me (apologies I’ve forgotten what that’s called!). Thankfully no cysts were found so they’ve ruled out PCOS but the final conversation I had with my GP before lockdown was, in short, “not ovulating, low progesterone, just need a chlamydia test then I can refer you”. She didn’t say what the next steps were at the point, but then again, she possibly wouldn’t have know the surgery was about to close for weeks! So any information you can offer would be wonderful. I just want to know what potentially lies in store so I can prepare myself!

Thank you, ladies, I really, really appreciate your responses xx

@JeNeBaguetteRien I went to an NHS clinic, but they wouldn't tell me anything as I had gone through my GP x

When I had tests at my local hospital the results were sent to my GP, and I logged on to my primary care account where I can view results and book appointments.
Even if there is not a similar system you are definitely entitled to your results.
If only the chlamydia test is holding up your referral then find a way to get it done, some GUM clinics will post them.
In my area I didn't need a chlamydia test first as that was part of the hospital tests.

I don't know anything about PCOS but others may be able to advise.

Ok, will do. Thank you x

I would order some maca, evening primrose oil and dong quai. You can get them on ebay or amazon. Maca is great for increasing estrogen and progesterone.

@Expat30 thank you for the advice! Will get on to Amazon today x

@Tecalina you're welcome

@Tecalina I used to have very thin lining and light periods. Exercise, at least before ovulation, daily, and research fertility yoga poses. The change is dramatic. I went from having 4.5mm lining during one cycle to 9mm in the next after diligently exercising and doing yoga (literally every few hours until ovulation). You need to get your blood moving and bring it to your uterus. That's what thickens the lining. Also full fat dairy is supposed to help a little. I'd do this before you try any supplements. Supplements won't magically increase your blood flow.

@KatBeCool I currently exercise 4-5 times a week but I’ve never heard of fertility yoga so I’ll definitely give it a go! Already on the full fat milk, which I’m so happy about as it makes my (decaf) coffee taste much better! Thank you so much for your tips, I really appreciate it! Lots of luck to anyone also trying x

Hi @Tecalina 💗

I’m sorry you’ve discovered you are anovulatory x
I had chronic anovulation so I know this journey well.

I would recommend not taking herbal supplements until you have had your fertility clinic referral (which is what your GP will have been doing next). You will likely need blood tests for various hormone levels and if you start taking herbal supplements you might make it impossible to get a proper diagnosis for the reasons behind your anovulation (which could be vital in decision making about your treatment from there).

Have you had these blood tests yet? If yes, what cycle day were they taken on?;

• FSH,
• Estrogen,
• LH,
• TSH,
• AMH.

X

Hello, I'm so sorry you are going through that. I just got tested for progesterone. I did it on day 21 my result was .5 which is also low. But they told me I did ovulate. They offered me clomid but declined. I rather do it naturally. My sister battled that for a couple of years and had many miscarriages and didn't know it was hormone related. She went to a naturopath and they told her to fix her diet. She had to cut out sugar and bread. Like no pasta. She tried to eat very high fat foods like avocado. Bone broth is really good for your women's organs. She also used this herb mix that was for progesterone levels. It took her a couple months but she was able to get pregnant with her second and now she is pregnant with her 3rd. I'm just starting to change my diet. Hoping it helps alittle :) God bless

Hi @Tecalina, I had to start my investigations with the Chlamidia test as well to rule it out as it can cause infertility. I agree with the ladies that diet is important and folate can help you to ovulate. If I was you I would definitely take methyl folate as it is easier for your body to absorb than folic acid.
Depending on your clinic you will be offered either Letrozole or Clomid, I would push for Letrozole if you have a choice. But before that try to do your homework by improving your general diet and doing yoga, there are tons of videos on YouTube focusing on ovulation. Please remember any changes you make will reflect on your eggs about 3 months later so be patient.
I would also start doing OPK's as your tests could have been done too early. The clinics assume you have 14 luteal phase but it might be not the case. My LP is only 9-10 days long so timing when the tests are done is crucial. Opks will help you to identify if you ovulate and the length of the follicular/luteal phase, according to this you might need a different treatment.
You are not alone X

Ladies, I am SO sorry for the late reply. My Mumsnet notifications had been switched off so I had no idea you replied! Thank you so much for your responses and the great advice, you're such sweeties :)

So an update...My GP cannot put my referral through due to NHS fertility services still being closed to non-urgent cases, so I've decided to go down the ovulation induction route via a private clinic. This method is less expensive, but if it doesn't work I will have to wait for the NHS. I was given Tamoxifen three weeks ago, and then an injection to induce ovulation. My 21 day progesterone was nice and high (yay!), and I'm now on CD25, 12DPO but I'm refusing to do an early test as I have my usual pre-AF symptoms (dull ache at side of breasts and a constant need to eat!), so I don't want to get my hopes up.

My diet is as healthy as I can be (no alcohol, white carbs or sugar for 6 weeks now), I've stopped my more intense workouts and I'm trying to stay as relaxed as possible...so I'm hoping I have done enough to be successful soon!

@Tecalina any update on how things went? I had my day 21 bloods show that I have nkt ovulated. I'm on cycle 11 and being referred to NHS but wasn't offered anything. I have cleaned up my diet for the past 4 months at least and things have got worse (was ovulating before and cycle was really regular but the past 2 months have been way off!). Just wondering if you found what helped you??

Sorry it didn't post my name!

@Loops01 Hello! I ended up going private as the NHS clinics had shut down due to Covid and I was told it would take over a year to get help. I was offered three solutions - the least invasive was three courses of a drug called Tamoxifen, which helped grow my follicles and an injection of ovitrelle to force ovulation. The second was ICSI and the third, IVF. We went for the Tamoxifen route and were so lucky to have been successful on the first attempt and we now have a gorgeous fourth month old baby girl ☺️
Did your GP not even discuss any possibilities with you?

@Tecalina thank you so much for getting back to me! So nice to hear about a happy ending! No the gp has been useless really! I'm thinking we might go private too at this rate. If you don't mind but how much did it cost roughly to go private and get successful?

@Loops01 I'm so sorry for the late reply, I didn't get a notification for some reason 🤦🏼‍♀️ it cost us £280 for the initial consolation and scan, 200 per scan (we only had to have one more as my follicles were a good size when they checked the second time), £35 for the Tamoxifen and, I think, £45 for the injection. We used Create fertility in St Paul's/Raynes Park x