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buzzydaisy 
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Joined: 21 October 2008
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 Topic: Low Progesterone
Posted: 24 April 2009 at 3:08pm |
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Has been a while since I was last here and have had a few things happen.
I have had 2 MC and an ectopic since june last year and have been trying for 3 1/2 years.
I have just been to the dr and have found out I have low progesterone.
I am taking homeopathic progesterone drops and vitex to try and right my cycle which is now about 35 36 days when it ha never really been past 30.
I know nothing about vitex and even less about my progesterone thing and was just wondering if others have any stories they would like to share.
Any light on the subject would be great.
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Shezzey
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Joined: 24 January 2009
Location: Swanson, West Auckland
Points: 4719
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Posted: 24 April 2009 at 4:18pm |
Hiya Trying, I a sorry about your ectopic and mc's.
Here is a link about what role progesterone plays in your cycle :
http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/progesterone.html
http://www.paternityangel.com/Articles_zone/Hormones/Hormones2.htm
My advise is for you to chart. I think this is the best way to monitor your progesterone. You join fertilityfriend.com, most girls on here use this and it is free. It is easy to use and it gives you very useful info.
I have heard the best way to improve progesterone level is to take Vitamin B6 and I have seen it work for someone under the "charts" forum.
If you want to find out more about low progesterone, do a g oogle for "Luteal Phase Defect" and you will find heaps of info on how to improve it.
I didn't think that progesterone came in drops? Progesterone apparently it isn't well absorbed by mouth and is absorbed either vaginally or in injection form.
Sorry about the long post and best wishes 
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buzzydaisy
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Joined: 21 October 2008
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Posted: 24 April 2009 at 4:47pm |
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Thanks, I did google a bit of stuff but didin't ask the right Q's.
Te links were really helpful and I had no idea it was called a luteal phase defect.
Thanks again, I have someting for my mind to ponder now.
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minik8e
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Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Taranaki
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Posted: 24 April 2009 at 5:38pm |
Charting doesn't give you an accurate monitor of your progesterone levels at all - only blood tests do. My temps have always been normal and done what they're supposed to, but I have low progesterone. You can take it orally as well - there are certain tablets that can be taken. When I got pg this time (after 3 m/c and the testing that goes with it) I started on progesterone pessaries (Utrogestan) that I had to take three times a day, vaginally, for 6 weeks. It seems to have worked The pessaries aren't cheap (they're not subsidised), but they are worth it.
Low progesterone is not necessarily a luteal phase defect either - my LP was approx 13-14 days which is normal, the lack of progesterone just meant the implantation didn't happen like it was supposed to.
Good luck
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Shezzey
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Posted: 24 April 2009 at 7:59pm |
Hi Trying,
Minik8e is right... charting cannot give you an accurate level of your progesterone because you do need a blood test for that, but it does give you a clue to your progesterone status because there is a progesterone rise after ovulation.
Progesterone raises your body temperature and therefore shows on your chart. It normally peaks seven days after ovulation and either continues to rise if implantation has happened or decreases if it hasnt. But the time from ovulation to AF is the luteal phase and if shorter than 10 days it is Luteal Phase Defect. There are a few reasons that can cause LPD and low prog is one of them.
I am definitely no expert but was trying to give you an idea of how progesterone plays a role in your cycle... well my understanding of it ...
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JHS
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Joined: 12 September 2008
Location: Lower Hutt
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Posted: 26 April 2009 at 2:30pm |
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How do you know your progesterone is low? I have Luteal Phase Defect and have had 3 MC in the last year. My specialist didnt think progesterone tests were very accurate or helpful so I didnt have any, but he diagnosed me based on an 8 day luteal phase. B6 has definately lengthened my phase but has not helped me to carry to term as yet - and neither have the progesterone tablets. I discussed pessaries with my Doc who said tablets are better convenience-wise, as inserting 3 times a day means lying down for half an hour each time which is trick when I am working and with a toddler.
If you are taking drops it sounds like they are probably herbal - and unlikely to be strong enough to have much effect, although I have read about people who think B6 and progesterone cream on the skins helped them so who knows?
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1 beautiful boy
3 mc in 2008
Now expecting in Jan 2010 YAY!
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Shezzey
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Posted: 26 April 2009 at 5:11pm |
Hi JHS, from what I googled, progesterone is absorbed better vaginally rather than orally, something to do with reaching the bloodstream quicker.
When I did ivf they gave me the pessaries... so they must think that is the best method
Maybe you should ask your doctor to refer you to an reproductive endrocrinologist. They specialise in hormones.
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minik8e
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Posted: 26 April 2009 at 9:45pm |
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Lying down for half an hour?? I'm afraid I never did that after using the pessaries, just went into the loo at lunch, did my thing and carried on for lunch. Then did it just before bed, and when I got up in the morning.
I'm not sure I understand why your specialist thinks progesterone tests aren't accurate or helpful - without them, I would never have known my progesterone was too low in early pregnancy, and these two may not have been around today. How else are you supposed to know what your progesterone levels actually are, and whether they are way low, or actually ok and there is another reason behind your short LP?
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Lizze
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Posted: 28 April 2009 at 2:42pm |
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i came off the depo and started seeing a naturopath, she tested my progesterone levels and they were only 1.0 at Day 21, which meant I wasn't ovulating. I took a herbal tincture including Vitex for 2 months and I now have my BFP.
She told me I had a luteal phase defect last month but obviously something worked right this month.
So yes I highly recommend Vitex, it's not a hormone it just levels out your hormones so if you're progesterone deficient it will help with that.
Good luck!
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buzzydaisy
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Joined: 21 October 2008
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Posted: 30 May 2009 at 3:40pm |
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thanks for all the advice,
Great to see some getting BFP having the same wories as me.
I had my progesterone test on day 20 and it came back normal.
I really don't know now. I need to ph and find out the level they consider normal.
I am going to start charting again this month and begin my vitex again.
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Low Progesterone
