Low progesterone - it is a problem?

[Englishrose35]

Hi
I have PCOS and thought I was ovulating based on regular "periods" and previous mid-luteal progesterone.

We repeated mid-luteal progesterone and it was borderline according to the results ranges. It was taken at the correct time in cycle as period arrived a week later.

I know this could be because of PCOS
But can the low progesterone also stop things like implantation and increase miscarriage risk. It was 23 (lab says anything more than 28 suggests ovulation).

If having IVF / ICSI anyway - will the low progesterone be an issue? Or do they measure and replace this during the cycle?

Thanks

Progesterone is very important for implantation and continuation of pregnancy. Good thing is you can take it if your body does not produce enough of it. Progesterone pessaries are not expensive either, so please don't worry. I am sure your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you. And yes, it's pretty standard to prescribe progesterone in IVF/ICSI cycles.

Thanks that is helpful to know
I just feel it is another reason why we clearly aren't getting pregnant - already know about PCOS and we have male factor issues and now progesterone.

But seems like this is something that can be addressed with IVF anyway!

The IVF doctors always measure your progesterone and give you pessaries, if successful they continue checking your progesterone still. You do need certain levels of progesterone for a successful pregnancy.

It is quite possible to have periods without ovulating.

PCOS and IVF can be uneasy bedfellows due to the risk of ovarian hyper stimulation. It should only be tried when all other treatments options have not worked. Have any other treatments been suggested to you both?. At the very least I would ensure that you both have up to date blood tests and semen analysis results. Any test results over 6 months old should be discounted.

What are your LH and FSH levels like, are these monitored around the beginning of each month?. If Lh and Fsh levels are out of sync, which they often are with PCOS (too much LH and not enough FSH), then progesterone levels will be affected too.

Progesterone is usually measured around day 21 in the cycle, it’s a standard test as is the one that compares the level of Lh with Fsh which is done on day 2. With progesterone they like to see a level of 30 or over.

I was given progesterone pesseries as part of my fertility treatment for PCOS when it was diagnosed.

@AttilaTheMeerkat

Thanks for the helpful response. I’m worried I’m having periods but not ovulating and they have become much lighter than they used to be.

The reason they said IVF would be first line before trying other treatments is because we also have a male factor issue (low motility 30% and low morphology 2-3%) so the consultant said they wouldn’t use letrozole/ clomid or IUI if a male issue also.

My day 3 results were FSH 5.2 and LH was 5, so normal range. My mid luteal progesterone was 23 so borderline result so not sure whether I ovulated this cycle.

I have another appointment after my Hycosy. I’m wondering whether they will push to start IVF ICSI sooner if I’m not ovulating and also have a male factor issue.

Hi @Englishrose35 I came across your thread in a similar boat. I also received progesterone results back as 23mnol.
Apparently if they are low but regular periods they judge that as ovulation but I'm concerned - we've been trying 9 months now and nothing.

Can I ask did you get your hycosy on the NHS? How was it and has it helped?

Thank you x

@LilPearl
Sorry you are in the same boat.
Do you have PCOS as well?

I had the hycosy on the NHS - wasn't waiting too long. It wasn't as bad as I thought, some pain during the procedure but it was quick. Afterwards had some light spotting for a couple or days but otherwise fine. It didn't make a difference to getting pregnant though.

We are starting IVF ICSI in September - likely male factor contributing too.