How do I get treatment for low progesterone?

[Hambala]

I’ve recently had my second MC in a row. I also suspect I have also experienced chemicals in the past, but not confirmed and have not sought medical help for that. Saw the EPU who confirmed the latest MC at 10 weeks and they mentioned that the womb lining was very thin. Blood tests the EPU nurse took also indicate extremely low luteal phase progesterone. I’m not under the care of a consultant, and I’m feeling desperate wondering—what next? I’ve been reading about low progesterone and a lot of the symptoms align with mine, including repeated miscarriage in first 12 weeks, but also short menstrual cycles and spotting before period starts. I’m 39, but have had these issues with my period for nearly ten years. I don’t know who to go to for help. EPU said if I get pregnant again and experience even a speck of blood, to call them and get progesterone prescribed, but I would really like to have progesterone from the outset of any future pregnancy. I don’t feel like I could cope with another loss, that might have been preventable with progesterone. It’s making me so stressed and anxious about TTC again. I wondered, has anyone had any luck getting progesterone from outset of pregnancy (or even beforehand?) from GP/NHS? Or, considering private route, but weighing up limited finances, I read about how some women have seen private doctors who’ve prescribed progesterone, just charging for consultation and prescription. Could anyone recommend such a doctor? (And would it be a gynaecologist who I’d need to seek out?). Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated

Hiya. I’m on progesterone pessaries at the moment as I get pre-period spotting. I went down the private route as I wasn’t getting anywhere on the NHS. The consultant I see is amazing. He will charge for an initial consultation though. And the pessaries are charged at pharmacy rate - think I paid around £40-50 for a month supply using two a day.

depending on where you’re based, happy to recommend my consultant. He’s a gynaecologist but specialises in fertility.

Hi
I just wanted to jump on this thread and say I’m so sorry your going through this and sending best wishes 💐

I don’t have an awful lot of advice I’m afraid but just wanted to say I too have had 2 MCs in the space of a year, both were missed so I only found out at scans

I have wondered about progesterone myself as my second midwife had mentioned and said it wouldn’t do any harm and may potentially help. I too I can’t face the prospect of another MC without trying anything😓
I didn’t have any bleeding in either pregnancy but have noticed a little spotting mid cycle (unsure if that’s ovulation) and spot a little before my period
@Frankie2607 im based in North Wales and what you’ve said sounds really interesting if you are near this area and wouldn’t mind sharing please

OP I hope you are holding up okay able to get the help you want xx

I saw a private gynaecology consultant after my miscarriage who prescribed progesterone for this pregnancy (all going well so far at 29 weeks) - he was absolutely lovely, his name was Emmanuel Kalu, based at Kingston hospital (privately and nhs). You can have nhs care the majority of the time and just top up with a private appointment / prescription.

Thank you, each of you for your replies. And so sorry to all of you who have also been going through losses, or experiencing bleeding. It helps so much to hear your words and feel less alone

@Frankie2607 Thank you so much for sharing this—that’s super useful info. I’m based in the South-east and would be keen to know more about the doctor you’ve been seeing, if you don’t mind sharing those details

@Steffi12 Sorry for your losses and thinking of you—what a shit time we’ve had, eh? Hope we can both find some support and answers to ease our minds

@graceinc22 Thank you so much for sharing these details. That’s absolutely great. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!! Fantastic!!!

Hi all. Just to say, I was on progesterone when I got pregnant too, purely because of the pre-period spotting. Unfortunately that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 14wks.

Im now seeking some fertility help from the same consultant so am back on the pessaries in this two week wait.

the consultant I saw was Dr Jeve at Birmingham priory. He also has his own fertility place called P4 Fertility. Hope that helps x

I’m in a very similar situation. I believe I have low progesterone after my miscarriage in January at 6 weeks and my chemical pregnancy last month. I have been told that progesterone can’t be given in the uk unless I am bleeding during a pregnancy. I am currently 5 weeks pregnant and starting to worry about my progesteone levels but had no bleeding. I’m in two minds whether to pretend I have had some to get the progesterone. Did anyone take the progesteone without a diagnosis of low progesteone? Just not sure if it would be safe to just take

@Hambala I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through.

I had 4 miscarriages and my GP referred me to Tommys miscarriage clinic. They did lots of blood tests and then prescribed me with progesterone to take when I got my 1st bfp.

I had a further 1 miscarriage then got pregnant with my DD who is almost 5 now. I’m convinced the progesterone saved her as I was bleeding when I got my bfp then it stopped after the progesterone kicked in.

I did count one of the very early losses as a miscarriage and they didn’t ask for any validation of that.

At the moment I’m pregnant again but heading for a blighted ovum I think. But when I got the positive test I called the miscarriage clinic straight away and they said I would only be prescribed progesterone if I was bleeding in early pregnancy or I had a history of 4 miscarriages. (Criteria had changed few she said).

Well I was up to 5 at this point so more than qualified, soon to be 6.

I also looked up local private gp services near me and emailed them. They just said I could go for a consultation and they would prescribe me progesterone for a few of course. But didn’t need that route in the end.

Good luck keep pushing, hope you manage to get what you need x

Love Mr Kalu!! I'm under him for NHS IVF funding in Kingston, he's amazing. Did you get your progesterone prescription from him for natural ttc? I'm waiting to do my final NHS transfer with him (though he's trying to get a rule change for me/other women first - long story). I am trying naturally whilst I wait but need the progesterone and my GP is useless - I didn't even think that I could ask Mr Kalu for a private prescription - hoping to avoid any consultant fees though as I am his patient on the nhs...

Hiya, do you mind me asking what consultant this is? Also how much for the initial consultation?

Hi @esb27 It’s Dr Jeve at Birmingham Priory. He does NHS and private. He also has his own clinic called P4 Fertility. Think the initial consultation was £200. His website clearly lists all costs etc, so worth taking a look.

I really recommend him. Never had so much trust in a doctor. Hope that helps. X

Sorry to jump in - so sorry for your losses @Hambala, it's the worst isn't it.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a consultant in London? I'm SE London so Kingston isn't ideal unfortunately. I'm after a private progesterone prescription after two early losses, I don't think I could face a third knowing I hadn't tried everything that might help.

@Frankie2607 how did you get on with Dr. Jeve in the end? I’ve had a very interesting experience with him after 9 months and I am considering seeking alternative care x

I worked with Rachel at The Fertility Suite and once we'd pinpointed progesterone as a potential issue she gave me a consultant's details who prescribed some (I only paid for the prescription and consultation with Rachel, not the consultant.)

She was great and hands down the best £250 we've spent throughout recurrent mc. 5m pregnant now.

Oh and to add, my GP continued the prescription at NHS costs once they'd seen a letter from the consultant. So it didn't end up being massively expensive.

@Teddybear786 I owe Dr Jeve a lot. Thanks to his guidance I’m now 17 weeks pregnant. I personally wouldn’t trust any other doctor the way I trust him, but ofc that’s just my experience x