We have been TTC for a 1 year now. My periods are irregular, they last one day and is mainly spotty to a light flow and they do start around the same time every month. Ive used ovulation test to the point Im testing myself everyday of the month and Ive yet to detect any ovulation. I finally decided to test myself at a local lab and I got the blood results back. My estradiol is 65 and progesterone is 8.35. I wanted to kind of have a heads up on it before I seek professional help. I started my period on April 14th (the only day I had the light spotty period) and lab work was done on the 27th. We already have a daughter who is 10 so Ive conceived before. The irregular period started alittle over a year ago. Can anyone shed some light on this? I know i should have seeked medical attention a long time ago, just want to see where all this is maybe headed? Thank you
Am I dealing with low progesterone?
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Sorry I don't have much to add. But I have low progesterone and it makes my periods much longer than normal, not shorter. (like 10 days) I'm not sure if that means anything or not but just thought I'd post it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">
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I am considered to have a progesterone deficiency and my 21st day levels have been at .1 and .4 in the past. I believe I read somewhere that between 1 and 10 is normal.
For follicular phase, you might be right, nintendork, but that's wayy not true for luteal phase.<br><br>
Anything above about a 4 is considered "ovulatory" meaning you ovulated, but anything below a 10 is considered insufficient to support a pregnancy. If you're being medicated, most doctors prefer to see a number above 15.<br><br>
So, yeah, OP, probably low progesterone.<br>
As for your OPK tests-- have you been doing them just once a day? Because even if you pee on a stick every day, if you have short surges, it's possible to miss it if you only check once a day. Especially if that once is in the morning.
Anything above about a 4 is considered "ovulatory" meaning you ovulated, but anything below a 10 is considered insufficient to support a pregnancy. If you're being medicated, most doctors prefer to see a number above 15.<br><br>
So, yeah, OP, probably low progesterone.<br>
As for your OPK tests-- have you been doing them just once a day? Because even if you pee on a stick every day, if you have short surges, it's possible to miss it if you only check once a day. Especially if that once is in the morning.
But, you know, on reflection, I think that estradiol number is off, too. But I'm pretty sure you should get your estradiol checked on day 3, not day 21. So it could be multiple things, or it could be PCOS or something like that. Have you had your FSH and LH and everything else tested?<br><br>
Here's a good link w/ a rundown of hormone levels.<br><a href="http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html" target="_blank">http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html</a>
Here's a good link w/ a rundown of hormone levels.<br><a href="http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html" target="_blank">http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html</a>
you know I didnt realize that you could miss the actual surge if your just testing OPK once a day. So I should test around 3 times a day? Should I do a basal temp throughout the day to see when is the best time to catch it? Also Im alittle confused on the test days. You said something about my estrogen being off but I should be test on Day 3 not Day 21. How do the days go according to the actual day you have a period? The first day of my period was on April 14th, so which is day 3 from there and day 21 from there?
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I read somewhere (maybe here?) that FMU isn't best for OPKs like for pregnancy tests and that twice a day (afternoon and evening) should work. Oh wait I found the info I read:<br><br>
"The best times to test are between 11am and 3pm and 5pm and 10pm.<br>
Some women have found that their best sample is after 12 noon.<br><br>
Test at the same time each day.<br><br>
Reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing, since drinking excessive amounts of liquids can dilute the LH in your urine yielding a negative result when it should be positive."<br><br>
Hope that helps.
"The best times to test are between 11am and 3pm and 5pm and 10pm.<br>
Some women have found that their best sample is after 12 noon.<br><br>
Test at the same time each day.<br><br>
Reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing, since drinking excessive amounts of liquids can dilute the LH in your urine yielding a negative result when it should be positive."<br><br>
Hope that helps.
You don't need to temp throughout the day. Basically the only thing the temp's good for is to tell you which phase you're in. It's not a prospective thing.<br>
I would test maybe mid-morning and at night/evening, and then see what happens.<br><br>
Now, the days thing. This gets a little messy. The day 3 one is 3 days from the first day of your period. So if you start your period on May 1, then day three would be May 3. If you typically have long menses and a longer cycle, some doctors will tell you to wait until day 5. Some say between 3 and 5 days is fine, up to you which one is better.<br>
The day 21 thing is *supposed* to be 7 DPO. So, if you're "normal" and have a typical 28 day cycle with a typical ovulation date of cycle day 14, then day 21 from the onset of menses would be 7 DPO, and that's why they say the tests should be on day 21. If, however, you ovulate earlier or later than day 14 by more than a day either way, the test is not really going to be all that accurate. In that case, you should track your temps, and ask for the day 21 test 7 days after the day you believe you ovulated. A day or two either way won't make a big difference, but more than 3 days can be HUGE.<br>
If you're really super regular and you aren't really sure about when you ovulate, and you think you have a typical luteal phase (about 14 days) then you could kind of "cheat" and get your day-21 test about a week before you expect AF. But that way is not nearly as accurate, because you may not have a 14 day luteal phase.<br><br>
Does that answer your question?
I would test maybe mid-morning and at night/evening, and then see what happens.<br><br>
Now, the days thing. This gets a little messy. The day 3 one is 3 days from the first day of your period. So if you start your period on May 1, then day three would be May 3. If you typically have long menses and a longer cycle, some doctors will tell you to wait until day 5. Some say between 3 and 5 days is fine, up to you which one is better.<br>
The day 21 thing is *supposed* to be 7 DPO. So, if you're "normal" and have a typical 28 day cycle with a typical ovulation date of cycle day 14, then day 21 from the onset of menses would be 7 DPO, and that's why they say the tests should be on day 21. If, however, you ovulate earlier or later than day 14 by more than a day either way, the test is not really going to be all that accurate. In that case, you should track your temps, and ask for the day 21 test 7 days after the day you believe you ovulated. A day or two either way won't make a big difference, but more than 3 days can be HUGE.<br>
If you're really super regular and you aren't really sure about when you ovulate, and you think you have a typical luteal phase (about 14 days) then you could kind of "cheat" and get your day-21 test about a week before you expect AF. But that way is not nearly as accurate, because you may not have a 14 day luteal phase.<br><br>
Does that answer your question?
Yes that pretty much ansewrs my question, thank you guys so much for all your help! Sorry for the long delay I was at work today.<br><br>
Now you say my estrogen should be tested around day 3. Now would that apply to me as well? Like I mentioned before, I only have a 1 day spotty period, I dont have to use past 1 pad and that is it. Its been like this for over a year now. I did see my family physician about it who said he wouldnt worry about it to much, that it would regulate itself and if it didnt then I should see a specialist about it. Ive never taken birth control, since my daughter was born all we have used is condoms. The wierd thing is, is that I have that one day spotty period normally the same time each month and normally following the cycle of the days pushing back each month. I have the same symptoms, tender breast, cramps and moodiness before I start spotting.<br><br>
And when do I test for progesterone? Is that the 21 day your talking about?<br><br>
My husband just left for a 6 month cruise, he is in the navy. So I wont be getting pregnant anytime soon. I thought I would use this time to figure out what is going on, and hopefully by the time he gets back, I can have a period and ovulation on track and we can ttc with success by the time he gets here!<br><br>
With some of the research I did, I did manage to figure out that the 8.35 I had for my progesterone level was on the low side, its suppose to be more than 10 right? Im not so sure what my estrogen means at 64.90 on the day I got tested, which was the 27th, and i had my period on the 14th before that.
Now you say my estrogen should be tested around day 3. Now would that apply to me as well? Like I mentioned before, I only have a 1 day spotty period, I dont have to use past 1 pad and that is it. Its been like this for over a year now. I did see my family physician about it who said he wouldnt worry about it to much, that it would regulate itself and if it didnt then I should see a specialist about it. Ive never taken birth control, since my daughter was born all we have used is condoms. The wierd thing is, is that I have that one day spotty period normally the same time each month and normally following the cycle of the days pushing back each month. I have the same symptoms, tender breast, cramps and moodiness before I start spotting.<br><br>
And when do I test for progesterone? Is that the 21 day your talking about?<br><br>
My husband just left for a 6 month cruise, he is in the navy. So I wont be getting pregnant anytime soon. I thought I would use this time to figure out what is going on, and hopefully by the time he gets back, I can have a period and ovulation on track and we can ttc with success by the time he gets here!<br><br>
With some of the research I did, I did manage to figure out that the 8.35 I had for my progesterone level was on the low side, its suppose to be more than 10 right? Im not so sure what my estrogen means at 64.90 on the day I got tested, which was the 27th, and i had my period on the 14th before that.
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Hi sandyk71,<br><br>
Glad to see you are on here working toward getting some answers and support. Have you considered using other methods of charting such as ovulation microscope, Basal Body Temping or cycle beads, ect? Choosing to combine different types of charting sometimes helps some women to find the exact time they are ovulating and if they are ovulating.<br><br>
Seeing a doctor may help you to know what your fertility challenges are and once you know what they are you may be able to figure out the best direction in which to go to work toward fixing that issue.<br><br>
Have you ever considered natural options from home to work toward increasing Progesterone levels? If you would like to learn more about low progesterone and how it effects your fertility you may want to read this article: <a href="http://natural-fertility-info.com/progesterone-fertility-guide" target="_blank">http://natural-fertility-info.com/pr...ertility-guide</a><br><br>
Earlier today I discussed 'scant periods' with another woman on another forum. Scant periods can be a sign of many different issues...scar tissue in the uterus, hormonal imbalance, low body weight, lack of exercise, poor diet, anemia, the list goes on. That is why it may be a good idea to see your doctor for this. Also you didn't mention your age, sometimes perimenopause can cause scant periods.<br><br>
I don't know if this helps you at all, I hope you can figure this out and conceive again. My husband has been away for a month and won't be back for another. I can't imagine any longer. Be well, take the time while he is gone to prepare for that next pregnancy!<br><br>
Best Wishes!<br><br>
Dalene
Glad to see you are on here working toward getting some answers and support. Have you considered using other methods of charting such as ovulation microscope, Basal Body Temping or cycle beads, ect? Choosing to combine different types of charting sometimes helps some women to find the exact time they are ovulating and if they are ovulating.<br><br>
Seeing a doctor may help you to know what your fertility challenges are and once you know what they are you may be able to figure out the best direction in which to go to work toward fixing that issue.<br><br>
Have you ever considered natural options from home to work toward increasing Progesterone levels? If you would like to learn more about low progesterone and how it effects your fertility you may want to read this article: <a href="http://natural-fertility-info.com/progesterone-fertility-guide" target="_blank">http://natural-fertility-info.com/pr...ertility-guide</a><br><br>
Earlier today I discussed 'scant periods' with another woman on another forum. Scant periods can be a sign of many different issues...scar tissue in the uterus, hormonal imbalance, low body weight, lack of exercise, poor diet, anemia, the list goes on. That is why it may be a good idea to see your doctor for this. Also you didn't mention your age, sometimes perimenopause can cause scant periods.<br><br>
I don't know if this helps you at all, I hope you can figure this out and conceive again. My husband has been away for a month and won't be back for another. I can't imagine any longer. Be well, take the time while he is gone to prepare for that next pregnancy!<br><br>
Best Wishes!<br><br>
Dalene
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just deleted the message, oops my computer froze and accidentally double posted.
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