Estrogen Levels

[Baby2Bee]

Hi All - I'm on my second round of IUI and AGAIN my estrogen levels are low which we are trying to increase with Gonal-F. Are there any causes of low estrogen levels?? Diet??? Lifestyle??? anything???? I can't find anything on the net!

[dusty]

Hi B2B

Do you have an known pre-existing conditions like PCOS? Can you tell us why you need to use IUI? ie is it a physical problem etc.
Age can also play a part in responding to Gonal F.
Some women with polycystic ovaries can find it difficult to get their estrogen levels going even with stims such as Gonal F, and have to up their dose or combine it with other drug regimes.
Have you spoken to your specialist about this?

[Baby2Bee]

Thanks Dusty. My OB has indicated that there are no real issues and certainly hasn't mentioned what the cause could possibly be. I'm 31. The only thing he's told me why we are using IUI is that my estrogen levels aren't getting high to ovulate. That's it!! I'm the sort of person who sits back and tends not to ask too many questions as I don't like to be seen as 'High Maintenance'..........i've got an appt with the nurses again on Monday so I'll ask the question.

[hopeful.aussie]

I am on my third IUI cycle and I have the same problem ...my estrogen levels are just not rising and I am on CD18 My last two cycles were fine but I really don't understand what's changed this cycle ...did you manage to find out the reason why the levels may be low??

[sunshine 11]

Hi there,
sorry I know this is late, but I am unable to conceive naturally because I don't produce enough oestrogen to ovulate on my own as well. My cycles are regular, but whenever I am been monitored on a natural cycle, I have never ovulated. I have asked my FS what causes this, and the simple answer is, he doesn't know. I appear to be extremely sensitive to anxiety, so if I get stressed, my body reacts by not producing enough Oestrogen. Being monitored appears to be stress enough to cause this as well. Sounds a bit silly, but when I have tracked my cycles, anytime I have been stressed (house buying, job changing etc) my cycle has been longer which translates to late or no ovulation.

Hope this helps - my issue gets lumped in the unexplained infertility bucket as I don't have PCOS or any other underlying issues.