Reasons to NOT take progesterone?

[babycakes1]

Hi,
Been TTCing for 1 year. Recently saw an RE who gave me P without checking my levels (he believes checking levels reveals nothing) but with my shortish LP, he felt it "couldn't hurt."

I tend toward the holistic approach, and can't help but be skeptical of introducing a drug. But I'm also getting older and can't seem to get pg!

Will taking P make me less likely to make my own P? And where can I find solid scientific evidence of this?

Will P do anything else?

Thanks for the advice!

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by babycakes1

Hi,
Been TTCing for 1 year. Recently saw an RE who gave me P without checking my levels (he believes checking levels reveals nothing) but with my shortish LP, he felt it "couldn't hurt."

I tend toward the holistic approach, and can't help but be skeptical of introducing a drug. But I'm also getting older and can't seem to get pg!

Will taking P make me less likely to make my own P? And where can I find solid scientific evidence of this?

Will P do anything else?

Thanks for the advice!

Well, I disagree. I am someone who has needed progesterone and I've had my levels checked. You want a dr that tests the levels to make sure that they are giving you enough. I am a firm believer in progesterone if you need it. Honestly, I wouldn't take hormones if I didn't need it. You also want a dr that will test and adjust your levels. Because if this is in fact your problem, you want someone that will keep an eye on your levels during your first trimester to make sure you are getting enough. If you aren't getting enough, you are at risk of miscarriage until the placenta takes over.

I would most definitely not take progesterone just to take if it were synthetic (versus bioidentical). I have heard that Prometrium is bioidentical, but mine is bioidentical compounded at a compounding pharmacy which is all the better.

If you want a dr that is really going to test your levels and keep an eye on your levels and not just throw something at you, look at a provider at ZRT labs (www.salivatest.com).

[lesliesara63]

My doctor also believes that the number doesn't tell you everything. He thinks an endometrial biopsy gives you a better idea of if your progesterone is doing what it needs. Did the RE do other tests or give other suggestions?

[escher]

Babycakes: I have exactly the same questions.

I've heard too that blood tests are not very reliable for checking progesterone because each person's progesterone levels vary throughout the day. I've heard that the saliva test is more reliable, but I don't know anyone in my area who does it.

My acupuncturist doesn't believe that taking progesterone supplements makes your body less likely to produce adequate progesterone, but I still wonder about that too. I haven't seen any scientific evidence on this.

I've taken progesterone a couple of times (prometrium as vaginal suppositories), and it does lengthen my luteal phase. It doesn't seem to do anything else for me.

[jenger]

My RE prescribed it without checking, said it "couldn't hurt". I was hesitant to take it, and only took one 100mg capsule a day, when he had prescribed 200mg...

But then I saw my naturopath (who specialized is natral treatment of endocrine issues), who was thrilled I was taking it, an encouraged me to take the full dose.

It actually helps me a lot. My LP is only a day longer, more or less, but my PMS is SO MUCH more manageable, and when I take it one cycle, I ovulate earlier on the next one, by a day or 2.

[escher]

Jenger: It's interesting that your naturopath supports the use of progesterone. My acupuncturist does too, but he acknowledges we don't really know if it is safe. I just don't really like that it hasn't been proven safe or effective for ttc or pregnancy. Hmm....

[contactmaya]

Hi, i wish i had the answers to your questions.
I started ttc still nursing and had a short luteal phase. I took progesterone without testing
I took the progesterone (usually around 200mg promotrium) every cycle since March.

The last two cycles however, i didnt. Last cycle, my LP had gone back to 13days with spotting. The next cycle, was at 15 days.

I started ttc with ovulation at day 17 (common if youre breastfeeding) Within a couple of months, it went to ay13/14 an stayed there.

Ds has been nursing less and less, so i am guessing that is why my LP has returned. But, maybe it was because i didnt take progesterone.

One cycle, i tested my progesterone and it was over 18. That is a good result. Yet still i had spotting, and that cycle i didnt take progesterone that would showed on the test (not promotrium)

In short, dont have a clue really. Just thought i'd share.

For the record, i conceived ds2 on my first cycle ttc, and took progesterone that cycle because i was nursing ds1.

This time, its been over 6months, and still no success. Im not sure what the long term effects of taking progesterone would be...