Low progesterone? Anyone going through this?

[D_McG]

Hi - I am 5.5 weeks with my second baby. I had a chemical pregnancy a couple of months ago and seem to have a short-ish LP (probably bf'ing related). 11 days. Not too bad.

I had progesterone tested at 11dpo and it was 12.5.

I've been spotting on and off and had a physical exam today which was normal. I asked them to recheck my progesterone and it was 9.99 hCG was 9,123 though which is good.

OB thinks progesterone suppositories are useless although she prescribed them anyway (I was pushy). Just wondering if anyone has experience with this. There is so much info out there but nothing concrete.





Thanks.

[Mom2Boy&Girl]

There's some controversy over whether progesterone supplements really help or delay the inevitable ... which is probably why you had to be a little pushy with your doc.

But I come from a family of women with low progesterone and have seen first-hand the benefits of those supplements. In fact, I firmly believe that I would not have my son or daughter if my doc hadn't been proactive after my first miscarriage and put me on supplements.

Take the supplements and hang in there. I'd also insist on getting your levels checked again in a few days to make sure the progesterone levels are back up and that your HCG is increasing like it should ... especially now that you have a baseline to compare it to.

[triple07]

Well, my MW today said that starting at 16 weeks she recommends I get progesterone shots since with my first I went into preterm labor... Doesnt really sound fun to me.

[ladybugmomto2]

I absolutely believe in the power of progesterone supplimentation. Good for you for being pushy! I have no doubt that progesterone saved my pregnancy with my son. My progesterone was 9 at 5wks 6days and down to 7 at about 6wks 2days..I was cramping and spotting and my hcg was BARELY doubling at the 72hr mark. I began immediately on high doses of progesterone supps and both numbers began going up and I carried him to term. I'm on suppliments now as well..here is hoping for the best for both of us!

[freedak]

My sister took progesterone supplements with her last two pregnancies, and they both came to term (I have a beautiful niece and a rambunctious nephew to show for it), so it seems to me that it must be worthwhile. I don't really know much about all this progesterone stuff, but there's my two cents. Good for you for being pushy!

[D_McG]

Thanks. It's so frustrating because of all the anecdotal evidence of it's efficacy and the lack of clinical research to support it. I don't understand why it is so inconsistant.

Fingers crossed that we have a good outcome here.I should get them today.

Thanks for sharing your stories!
Deirdre

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Not in your ddc but saw this in new posts and wanted to contribute.

I firmly believe that in cases like yours with good hcg but low progesterone the progesterone does help. It is only when the hcg is iffy that the progesterone may not work.

With my ds I had a 25dpo progesterone of only 8.9 but hcg was over 4,000. I feel that without the progesterone pills I would have lost my ds due to bleeding even though he was viable.

There are woman that without progesterone support could never carry to term because their bodies dont work exactly right and produce progesterone like they should. There is ample proof that progesterone does work in cases like yours.

[WeasleyMum]

I tested low for progesterone during my second pregnancy over the summer-- it went from 14 to 12 in 48 hours. I was put on the progesterone supplements (50mg, twice a day, vaginal suppository) but for me, it didn't do the trick. It's very possible that in my case there's something else going on and the progesterone was a side issue, or that it was too little, too late, or who knows.

Either way, it can't *hurt* to supplement, and it could do so much good, so why not, right? If it were something that carried high risks and wasn't sure to help I could see why they'd be reluctant, but the stuff is harmless, from everything I've read about it.

Best of luck to you and your little bean!

[triple07]

Would I *have* to get the shot necessarily or is there any way I could take... oral pill, cream, suppository... something else. I have a huge thing with needles and a shot a week for 21 weeks is REALLY scaring me.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

triple07 I have read of woman taking pills or the vaginal suppository in cases like yours so I would definatly sit down and talk to your healthcare provider and see if that is a option for you.

[green_sturgeon]

My cousin had three miscarriages before trying progesterone suppositories. She also had both low progesterone and a short luteal phase. She then had two healthy full-term pregnancies and thinks that it would not have happened without progesterone supplementation. She is a pharmacist and did a fair amount of research, too. (So now I have a beautiful niece and nephew -- my cousin and I are both only children and we're really close, so we're aunties to each other's kids).

[D_McG]

Dosage?

Hi- if you used the suppositories what was the dosage? OB called in 100mgs 2/x day.

Thanks!

[WeasleyMum]

My suppositories were 50mg each, to be done twice a day. But, um, I might go higher next time. Don't know if that's any help to you or not...

[ladybugmomto2]

I used 100mg vaginal supp 2x a day and then went up to 3x a day with my last son. This time I'm using crinone 8% gel.

[TaraRae82]

I think part of why we were successful this cycle is because I was using a progesterone cream (OTC). I also had an 11-12 day LP but my temps were super low pre and post O and I had spotting before AF. We had 1 chemical pregnancy in the 5 cycles we were TTC so I decided to give it a try. Now here we are at 6w4d.

[TaraRae82]

Originally Posted by triple07

Would I *have* to get the shot necessarily or is there any way I could take... oral pill, cream, suppository... something else. I have a huge thing with needles and a shot a week for 21 weeks is REALLY scaring me.

Amen sista!

I chose to do my research and buy OTC progesterone cream from my natural foods store. I talked to the supplement specialist there and she was able to recommend a really "clean" one for me. We got pg that cycle! I've been using it since 3dpo. I just apply it once a day (directions say 1-2x daily) on either my belly, thighs, or inner arms. I change between the three each day since you're not supposed to put it in the same spot 2 days in a row. I buy it at the same place I get my Vitex and and Flax Oil.

[~Stephanie~]

I now take progesterone orally. With my first two children, I got the shots once/week for the first 15 weeks.