Low Progesterone Level, PCOS, Late ovulation?

Hi, I'm 31 this year, was diagnosed by my GP that I have PCOS in 2014. My menses was always regular ( i get it every month although it may be between 29-32 days) but this time i did not get my period after about 2 months and that's when i decided to see a GP. A CD21 blood test showed that i was in very bad shape. All different hormones seemed to be out of normal range (too low) and especially my progesterone level was so low, it was 0.8 or something. Normal range is 8 and above. so i was put on Metformin.

A year later i did another blood test, other hormones seemed to increase and back in normal range. Progesterone was 5 point something in Sep 2015. Increased but still below normal range... but I know that i lost some weight as I was preparing for my wedding. Lost about 9kg in a year. My GP decided to increase my metformin dose to twice a day instead of once.

This year, just a week ago, i went for another same test and was disheartened that my progesterone level dropped to 1.1. But i have to be honest, after my wedding, i dont exercise as much, and perhaps I gained back 2 kg, which i think may have an impact. My menses is still very regular about 29-31 days every month. I bought ovulation strips to test for the past 3 months and i noticed that my LH surge only occurs on CD23/24.

I dont know if it is because I ovulated late and hence my test always show very low progesterone level when i took test on CD 21 or i really didnt ovulate at all despite the LH Surge? My GP has advised me to lose more weight and he wanted to start me another drug to help fatty liver as he suspect i cld be having too much fats and i've done a test in 2014 that showed i have slight fatty liver.

Now i'm considering perhaps i should stop seeing my GP and get help from a specialist instead. Anyone here same as me? have been getting menses regularly but always been tested for low progesterone level? Or anyone here have regular menses but just dont ovulate? I have been trying to have sex w my husband more during my suspected fertile days for 4 months and I want to try to conceive but I'm too scared as I know the consequences of having low progesterone, my pregnancy may end up in miscarriage. Thought i should fine tuned my body before i really try hard to conceive. ..
 


Hi, I'm 31 this year, was diagnosed by my GP that I have PCOS in 2014. My menses was always regular ( i get it every month although it may be between 29-32 days) but this time i did not get my period after about 2 months and that's when i decided to see a GP. A CD21 blood test showed that i was in very bad shape. All different hormones seemed to be out of normal range (too low) and especially my progesterone level was so low, it was 0.8 or something. Normal range is 8 and above. so i was put on Metformin.

A year later i did another blood test, other hormones seemed to increase and back in normal range. Progesterone was 5 point something in Sep 2015. Increased but still below normal range... but I know that i lost some weight as I was preparing for my wedding. Lost about 9kg in a year. My GP decided to increase my metformin dose to twice a day instead of once.

This year, just a week ago, i went for another same test and was disheartened that my progesterone level dropped to 1.1. But i have to be honest, after my wedding, i dont exercise as much, and perhaps I gained back 2 kg, which i think may have an impact. My menses is still very regular about 29-31 days every month. I bought ovulation strips to test for the past 3 months and i noticed that my LH surge only occurs on CD23/24.

I dont know if it is because I ovulated late and hence my test always show very low progesterone level when i took test on CD 21 or i really didnt ovulate at all despite the LH Surge? My GP has advised me to lose more weight and he wanted to start me another drug to help fatty liver as he suspect i cld be having too much fats and i've done a test in 2014 that showed i have slight fatty liver.

Now i'm considering perhaps i should stop seeing my GP and get help from a specialist instead. Anyone here same as me? have been getting menses regularly but always been tested for low progesterone level? Or anyone here have regular menses but just dont ovulate? I have been trying to have sex w my husband more during my suspected fertile days for 4 months and I want to try to conceive but I'm too scared as I know the consequences of having low progesterone, my pregnancy may end up in miscarriage. Thought i should fine tuned my body before i really try hard to conceive. ..


Hi,

I would suggest u go to a fertility specialist to check if you are trying to conceive. They will do an ultrasound scan to see your womb and such then recommend u the necessary medicines/procedures if need be. Low progesterone can be treated with medicine. During my pregnancy I have low progesterone and kept having stomach cramps and spotting. I was put on Duphaston for 3mths (1st trimester). After stopping the Duphaston, some time btw 3rd & 4th mth I had a bad stomach pain & went KKH and lucky baby is alright, but was put on Utrogestan with higher dose for 2 wks. Now, I am a happy mother of my baby.

So don't worry, as worries will add stress & lower your chances. Enjoy the process, see a fertility specialist/TCM if u want to 'tiao' your body as I think is a GP is very general, specialist will offer more in depth insights.
 
Hi,

I would suggest u go to a fertility specialist to check if you are trying to conceive. They will do an ultrasound scan to see your womb and such then recommend u the necessary medicines/procedures if need be. Low progesterone can be treated with medicine. During my pregnancy I have low progesterone and kept having stomach cramps and spotting. I was put on Duphaston for 3mths (1st trimester). After stopping the Duphaston, some time btw 3rd & 4th mth I had a bad stomach pain & went KKH and lucky baby is alright, but was put on Utrogestan with higher dose for 2 wks. Now, I am a happy mother of my baby.

So don't worry, as worries will add stress & lower your chances. Enjoy the process, see a fertility specialist/TCM if u want to 'tiao' your body as I think is a GP is very general, specialist will offer more in depth insights.

Read back this comment posted by me in Feb, thank u for ur reply. I'm pregnant now with #1.. had been wary of my progesterone level.. and hoping that bb will be fine throughout the pregnancy :)
 
Capricorn Girl, congrats on your pregnancy!

Can share if you gotten pregnant naturally? And how did you managed your progesterone level? Did your gynae prescribed medicine for you? Thanks.
 
Hi Hopeful.C

Thanks :) Yes i conceived naturally.

Initially i got a referral to see a specialist at NUH. During the first consultation, they find my progesterone level slightly low but was better than before. So they want to monitor and advised me to come back in another 6 months time since i have only been TTC for about 5 months. If cannot conceive then we explore IUI or other meds. I continued with Metformin 500mg twice a day from my GP and i started Folic acid 400mcg and vitamin C 1000mg daily on my own account. (I read online that taking at least 750mg of Vit C daily will help to increase progesterone level). I also try to change my diet, made salad jars for about 3 times a week coz last time i dont eat much veges. I feel that all these combined helped me improve the chance of conception. I am obese by the way and i really thought i cannot get pregnant on my own.

Also, i time my ovulation and i know i ovulate on CD 23, so my hubby and I will get active few days before. In fact for this round i gotten pregnant, we only did it twice. 1 and 3 days before my Ovulation. I also used Preseed fertile lubricant to increase the chance of transporting more sperms to the site. That's what i did for the past few months prior to getting pregnant! Hope these help.
 

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