https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:19:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2411513 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:00:48 +0000 Colette1285 2411513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: @DesertDreams88: Thank you!!I </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2409701 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:34:47 +0000 DesertDreams88 2409701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Best of luck! I was diagnosed with PCOS and clomid+metformin+progesterone did the trick for me in our first cycle. I was nervous too about being unmonitored with an OB, but financially it was the best way to start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2409675 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:02:04 +0000 ms.line 2409675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colette1285: Great that you have a plan! Hopefully Clomid does the trick for you! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2409380 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:40:25 +0000 Colette1285 2409380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjd: Congrats!!!! That is so so amazing and exciting! What a happy beginning to the new year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2409034 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:59:12 +0000 mrsjd 2409034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colette1285: Glad you and your doctor got together and you now have a plan you're comfortable with! </p> <p>As a plug for Clomid, I got pregnant on the second month! Took a test on New Year's Day, and BAM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2408940 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:55:06 +0000 Colette1285 2408940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Happy New Year, all! Just wanted to update since you ladies were so supportive. </p> <p>I had an appointment with my OB/GYN today to discuss the progesterone issue and possible next steps. I mentioned that I was concerned that the test was premature, and he agreed that that was possible, but still felt that the level was too low to indicate that I ovulated during that cycle. He's recommending that I try Clomid, with follow up progesterone tests to confirm whether I've ovulated. </p> <p>Once we (hopefully) find a level where I do ovulate, he will only do a max of three months at that level before referring me to the RE. He said that given my relatively young age and the fact that my insurance does not cover anything infertility related, he thinks that's the best course of action for now. He was also very reassuring that something will will work out, which I know he can guarantee, but it still makes me feel more hopeful. </p> <p>I'm going to give this plan a shot, and in the meantime, work on also eating as healthy as I possible can, getting in my exercise, and trying to be zen about this process. </p> <p>I am actually at a point in my cycle where I can start this month, so I'm excited about that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2404455 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:28:19 +0000 Colette1285 2404455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KatieBklyn: I love hearing the positive outcome to your story! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely ask my doctor about the date of the tests.</p> <p>@ms.line: Thanks for this insight. Wanting to feel like I am being proactive is definitely one of the reasons I am thinking about the RE relatively early in the game. I really don't want to waste time and emotional energy . </p> <p>@mrsjd: I am not a fan of Metformin either. The first month or so I had HORRIBLE heartburn and GI issues, which have mostly improved. I do attribute my periods regulating to it, but I haven't lost weight on it, which I could stand to do. That could be because my work travel schedule has been positively insane for the past few months. It's calmed way down, so I'm definitely going to focus on exercising and eating well in the New Year (me and everyone else, haha), because it can only help, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2404227 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:32:43 +0000 mrsjd 2404227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colette1285: @KatieBklyn: Great point about the multiple risk and side effects! Good perspective and an important consideration. The twin possibility was a risk my husband and I discussed and were willing to take. I would actually be thrilled. I have also been fortunate that my Clomid side effects were not horrible the first month and have been virtually not existent this month. Hot flashes and headaches were the worst of it.</p> <p>For what it's worth, apart from one cycle three months off the BC pill (March of 2014 I believe), my cycles have all been between 30-35 days and we are pretty damn sure I don't ovulate. I've also had positive opks late in a cycle and bloodwork showed I did not ovulate. Regular cycles are not always an indicator of ovulation although I believe I am a rarity.</p> <p>Also I am not sure I realized you're on Metformin. I strongly dislike that drug, it hurts my stomach, but I take it too. I have heard that over the course of months it can help people ovulate, especially where there are weight or hormonal issues. So another good point that continuing on just that might make sense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2404178 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:09:27 +0000 ms.line 2404178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colette1285: If I were you, I would go to an RE. I went to an RE early in my TTC process (I had irregular periods and my DH had a dismal SA), and while we ended up getting pregnant on our own, I have no regrets about going through testing with the RE. I really trusted the expertise of my clinic (which I could not say for my OB), and having comprehensive testing has given me a much clearer picture of our fertility and the issues we may face if/when we decide to go for #2. It also gave me confidence and peace of mind that I was being proactive, rather than sitting around waiting anxiously with an incomplete picture. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2404160 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 09:59:52 +0000 KatieBklyn 2404160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colette1285: I'm exactly the same way, and I just wish I could have been more zen about it in retrospect! I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago, went on Metformin a year before TTC, had regular cycles and wound up getting pregnant on the very first cycle TTC. Then I miscarried and it took five cycles to get pregnant again. Two of those were Clomid cycles and it made me SO scared and miserable that both of those failed. Then I wound up getting pregnant with my son on a non-medicated (well, Metformin only) cycle right before I was planning to do Femara. </p> <p>I wish there was a crystal ball! It would make things so much easier. :) But yes, I wouldn't assume you're not ovulating because of the low number. I'd assume you'd ovulated like, that day or the day before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2404063 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 09:01:33 +0000 Colette1285 2404063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KatieBklyn: Thanks for the info and well-wishes. I have heard that too about having regular cycles. The fact that it's improved so much since started the met also indicates something has changed. I also get pretty regular PMS symptoms around the same time every month.</p> <p>The test was on CD-21, so not necessarily 7 DPO. I'll ask about that on Monday. I still feel like under 1 is still really low, but I am not really basing that on anything except my own pessimism! </p> <p>And yes, I hear what you are saying about starting Clomid possibly unnecessarily. I am actually a twin because of Clomid, so the idea of multiples does scare me. </p> <p>I guess I need to just wait and see what the doctor says. I feel like one tough thing about this process is that I am by nature pretty anxious and impatient, so I am inclined to want to jump to more extreme measures sooner rather than later, which may or may not be the right thing to do. Oh, to have a crystal ball! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403691 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 20:28:30 +0000 KatieBklyn 2403691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also - and I know it's easier for me to say this now, looking back, with a baby in my arms, but still - your doctor may have a good reason for telling you to continue trying with just Metformin. Clomid does come with some side effects, does increase the chance of multiples (and therefore a higher risk pregnancy) and it can make your cervical mucus more hostile. If the Metformin is regulating your cycles, it really might just take a little bit more time and patience. I know that is a shitty thing to hear when you've already been TTC for months, but I do think it's worth considering. I hope your BFP is just around the corner! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403673 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 20:19:40 +0000 KatieBklyn 2403673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW, my RE said that if you're having regular cycles of less than 35 days, you're almost definitely ovulating, even if you aren't noticing a temp shift or positive OPKs. Did you do the CD21 test on CD 21 or seven days after the day you likely ovulated? With a 32/33 day cycle, you could be ovulating as late as day 20 and still having a normal luteal phase, so a test on day 21 wouldn't really tell you much. See if your doctor is willing to repeat the test on CD 26/27 (or 7 days after you see a BBT shift.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403541 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:00:25 +0000 Colette1285 2403541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjd: Got it- that makes total sense! We are in a similar boat with insurance- no IF coverage at all, despite having pretty good coverage otherwise. The RE practice we would go to is really great from what I've heard from friends who've been there, but we would be totally out of pocket and some of the testing alone would be a ton. For now, the OBGYN is coding everything as treating my irregular periods and its covered, though that may change if he adds Clomid. </p> <p>Sounds like your doctor is really thorough in how she's treating you- Hope you get good news ASAP! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403403 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:13:16 +0000 mrsjd 2403403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is not monitoring me. I asked but she was basically like, we don't do that. If we don't get pregnant after this month or next month (total of 3), she said we will probably do some monitoring during the 4th cycle. Because of my age and some work craziness right now, and because my husband's sperm is basically perfect, we've decided to give the Clomid 3-6 months before seeking out an RE. It's really a cost decision. I feel like an RE isn't going to do much more at this point and therefore I want to try the cheap option first. I don't have infertility coverage with my insurance. Clomid is costing me very little. I'm also on estrogen, metformin, and progesterone cream (vaginal). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403396 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:08:32 +0000 Colette1285 2403396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjd: Thanks so much for this response. It's really helpful to hear from someone who has been there, though I'm sorry that you are dealing with a similar situation - I hope you get your BFP soon!</p> <p>I will do this follow up, and if the OBGYN doesn't give me Clomid, I am going to seek a new doctor. I am really hoping that he will because I am anxious to move on to the next step. I know it hasn't been all that long in the scheme of things for me, but as you say, since I know I'm not ovulating, trying on our own isn't going to get us there.. </p> <p>Is your OBGYN monitoring you on Clomid? I have read on other boards that most don't and that is why many people go straight to the RE. Thanks again for your insight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403378 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:50:52 +0000 mrsjd 2403378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been in a similar situation although my diagnosis is different. I have cystic ovaries but bloodwork is mostly fine. I have low AMH for my age (28), but my doctor is not concerned because everything else is fine and I'm young. My cd 21 bloodwork when I had it done, which was over a year ago (July 2014) showed I didn't ovulate. That doctor was a piece of shit (pardon my French) and just wanted me to continue to try even though my cycles were super irregular and I never got positive opks. So I switched doctors - to another OBGYN! In December 2014, I got a BFP but it was a chemical pregnancy. That was the cycle I got an HSG exam. Obviously I took a little break to get my cycle back and our plan was to go on Clomid right after that, but I decided to change jobs so we NTNP most of 2015. </p> <p>Although because of life changes it didn't work out that we started Clomid then, I switched doctors because of my old doctor's unwillingness to do anything. I can't understand why any doctor would recommend to keep trying if you don't ovulate on your own.</p> <p>If you don't ovulate on your own by now, you're probably not going to magically start. Go see another OBGYN or an RE. Why waste time when you have ZERO percent change of getting pregnant if you aren't ovulating. That's my perspective! I'm on Clomid cycle 2 now and hoping to FINALLY get pregnant and have it last. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-low-progesterone#post-2403350 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:31:32 +0000 Colette1285 2403350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all! Finally de-lurking after spending way too much time cruising the boards.</p> <p>I am hoping that Bees with similar experiences to mine can shed some light on the best next steps. My DH and I have been TTC for about nine months. I sought help from my GYN in August of this year for extremely heavy periods and wacky bleeding. He did bloodwork and an ultrasound. The ultrasound was normal, and the bloodwork mostly was but reflected a slight trend for elevated testosterone. </p> <p>He put me on metformin to see if that would help. He didn't diagnose me with PCOS, though, because my bloodwork was mostly normal and my ovaries had no cysts. The met has regulated my periods to 32-33 day cycles with about 5 days of bleeding, which is a HUGE improvement, but I still don't think I'm ovulating every month, thanks to temping and my CBFM. </p> <p>I went back for a follow up and mentioned my fears. He thought the regulation of my periods was a good sign and wants us to keep trying naturally, starting Clomid in a few months if we need to. I think he is being conservative because I'm relatively young - just turned thirty this month. However, he did a CD 21 progesterone test to assuage my fears. It came back dismally low - .84 to be exact. </p> <p>I have a second follow up on Monday, but at this point, I'm wondering if I should just head straight to an RE. I am really down about all of this and am driving myself a bit crazy, so part of me thinks that taking more decisive action could help my mental state.</p> <p>Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!! </p>