Progesterone Levels

Just wondering..I have done a lot of reading and I'm starting to think that my progesterone levels are a little on the low side.

I've been trying for 13 months now and went & got my day 21 BT & my progesterone levels come back at 10. I've been charting and I know that I ovulate. Had an US and that showed that everything is normal. The doc said that 10 is fine but I'm thinking it may be a little low which is why I'm not getting PG. I usually start spotting around 9-10 DPO and then I know that again...it's not my turn.

I don't know what to do next. I'm trying to convince DH to get a sperm test but he's not a fan. He just said 'What does it matter? If they're crap, they're crap and if they are good, they are good'. I tried to explain that that is ALL he has to do. I'll do whatever...he's already told me that if No2 doesn't come along...we won't be going down the IVF route....Why does he get to decide that???

He's happy with just the one...
:(

I need some serious luck!

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with TTC#2, it can be such a stressful thing.

Do you know what units your progesterone was measured in? mIU or ng/mol I think are the two different ones used.

If you think you have a LPD (luteal phase defect, a short post-O phase of your cycle, or spotting) then you can try and supplement that with herbs like Vitex and Maca root, or ask your gynae / FS for clomid which also does wonders for LPD.

It is great news that you have a temp spike each cycle and the US was clear, let's hope the sperm and egg meet for you very soon :).

Thanks for the reply. No I don't know the units. I'll find out when I go to the docs next. I just saw 10 and thought wow - low especially when the range was something like 5 or 8 to 100 or something. I just remember thinking...great I'm on the lower end.

It's just so frustrating. I tell myself - at least I ovulate every month (seeing that many don't even have that) and my cycle is pretty much spot on every month. Still doesn't help. The body is such a strange thing. Even I had a friend going through IVF and it took her about 4 cycles..every time it didn't work I use to say - at least you know its fertilised! It's just a matter of sticking. And even then it doesn't always work. Sometimes I feel almost ready to give up...

I really have to get DH for a sperm test - then I can move fwd I guess and see a FS...hopefully they can find out what the prob is...

Hi,

We were in the same situation as you... trying for 12 months, progesterone at the very low end of what was acceptable, and conceived the next month. I'm fairly sure if 8 is the low acceptable figure that you are in ng/mol, not mIU.

Getting DH's sperm tested is a great idea, also have they sent you for a pelvic ultrasound and done the full gamet of blood testing (CD3, 21) etc?

:hug:

It's such a stressful time, take care of yourself.

Hi there,

I'm not sure what reading is low but one of my problems was a progesterone problem and they just new that because my luteal phase was 9 days. I read that you really needed a minimum of 10 days for sufficient time for implantation but some people say 12 days. Although I have seen several girls fall pregnant on BB with 9 day luteal phases, so nothing is absolute by any means.

I'm curious about the spotting, is that AF coming or is it a day of spotting and then AF coming a few days later? Spotting could mean different things so you could speak to a gyno or FS to have some further testing if you want. Given you've been trying for more than 12 months you could easily get more testing if you want. However, your DH would probably need to provide a sample to get a full picture of fertility as a couple. He certainly does have the easier end.

I completely understand your frustration of it taking longer to conceive than you hoped.

GL

I usually start spotting from around 9 - 10 DPO and continue spotting till AF arrives around 12-14 DPO. I always know as soon as I see spotting that I'm out for the month once again. I wish I could stop thinking about what my body is doing all the time!! The p[roblem is that I always know exactly what my body is doing (well maybe not exactly as I'd be PG)!! lol

Hi..I am no sure what my levels werebut was told i was getting close to menopause and that was the reason I was'nt falling pregnant it took 18 months in total with 3 MC's partly due to the shortness of my cycle( but we did get our girl in the end now 2.2 years)..then guess what after my husband had the snip we feel pregnant with another baby (a little girl who is nearly 8 months old!!!)so there :) up Y0urs the smarty who said I might as well give up. I say anything is possible and men don't get it (including my DH) make the test seem fun even offer to do the job yourself anything to make it happen I say..my DH was quite proud of the fact that his sperm was fantastic, it turned out he was worrried that he may have been the problem, not that he could say that to start with.
Anyway wishing you the best of luck.