Please tell me about the progesterone test (and soy isoflavones)

[LessTraveledBy]

I am having some bloodwork done due to secondary infertility. Is the progesterone test meant only for finding out whether ovulation has taken place or can it also tell something else?

Can taking soy isoflavones early in the cycle have some effect on the progesterone test? I was going to start soy this month and now wonder if it is a bad idea.

Thanks!

[contactmaya]

I think the progesterone test is to see if you ovulated. If you do ovulate, that will show on the progesterone test. It wont matter whether you took the soy or not. The soy may impact your cycle though, depending on what it is like now. It may make your ovulation stronger, or weaker, even suppress it altogether. It depends on the woman. There is a soy isoflavones thread here somewhere that could be helpful to you.
Many women take it for stronger ovulation, but beware....each woman is different (it delayed mine by 5 days and suppressed all ewcm)

[karmab]

you are having 7 dpo progesterone test? just know it is a very imperfect test, so if it comes back and says you didnt o, take it with a grain of salt. do you chart? i know 2 women who got bfps a few days after their serum progesterones said they didn't o that cycle!

[LessTraveledBy]

Oookay.... so the progesterone test would tell me nothing more than whether or not I had ovulated. I know I do ovulate, so then there does not seem to be much sense in doing it. Correct?

I had read the soy isof. thread, so I know that it can make things worse. However, I have nothing to lose, so at least it will give me the feeling that I am able to do something. Otherwise, it is coming to the point where I just need to mentally give up. (Maybe this thread should be in infertility, instead of here, really.)

Thanks for the help!

[karmab]

it might give you an idea about the luteal phase too, as in, if you suspect a luteal phase defect. but like i said, it's an imperfect test. best done in the morning while fasting, but always take it with a grain of salt.

re: soy- i like it, but my advice is dont overdo it. i would not recommend anyone take more than 80 mg or so. this is just my opinion, because this is something there really is no good research on. but i think it's a good idea to start small.

[LessTraveledBy]

Thanks, everyone!

I am taking only 50mgs of soy isos. TBH, I have nothing to lose at this point, having been infertile for years.