can get pregnant but having difficulties staying that way

[Jrepp]

I have had 2 miscarriages in 3 months and my doctor has referred me to a reproductive endocrinologist. She said that I can obviously get pregnant, my body is just having difficulties staying that way. I googled it and it seems as if quite a few women have a progesterone difficiency. I am wondering if anyone here has tried an over the counter progesterone cream and how much a perscription costs. I cannot take nsaids, including baby asprin.

 

[Curligurl]

When I was TTC #1 I had 3 miscarriages in 2 years. The first BFP took 9 months. Then after each MC, we waited at least 2 months before trying again. All the MC werw around 7-8 weeks. The u/s showed a sac but no baby. I had to have surgery for the first 2 MC but I chose to miscarry naturally the 3rd time.

I went to a specialist and they ran a huge panel of tests. They discovered that I have MTHFR mutation. It means that my body does not utilize folic acid properly. So even though I was taking my prenatals, I still wasn't getting enough folic acid for the baby to develop. My doctor told me to take 4mg of folic acid a day. I also took a baby apirin just in case (my protein C and S levels were a little low). My next pregnancy was perfectly normal...

Your losses seem very early...maybe it could be a progesterone deficiency. You can buy progesterone creams OTC but I don't think the stregth is enough to make a difference. You would most likely need the prescription suppositories or the shot. It is a good thing that you're seeing a RE. They are very knowledgeable in this area.

 

[dodgercpkl]

I agree with Curligurl in the recommendation to test MTHFR and in saying that progesterone cream tends not to be strong enough to make a difference.

I've had 6 losses within 9 cycles of trying (spaced through out the year but with time off for testing and surgery), all of them very early - before 5 weeks. I found that my MAJOR player was a septum in my uterus. A septum is dead tissue and it's usually just right where an embryo would try to implant. Based on the timing of all of mine, we all believe that all of my babies implanted on dead tissue and died from lack of nutrients. I've been through 2 surgeries to have it removed. I'd highly recommend having an HSG to make sure that the inner contour of your uterus is normally shaped with no scar tissue, septums, polyps, etc. that could interfere with pregnancy.

As for the progesterone, I've also found that my progesterone has also always been an issue. Turns out that I'm progesterone deficient. PCOS, Hashimotos, and MTHFR are all closely related to progesterone issues and I have all 3. During my last pregnancy, we were in a position to really seen that even suppositories weren't enough. At 7dpo my progesterone was around 24. By 16dpo, 2 days after I got a positive beta, my progesterone was tanking at around 10. I'm now on the PIO shots and these, finally, seem to be offering the support that I need. I'm currently 4 weeks pregnant and for the first time, my betas are doubling like they should be and my progesterone is nice and high and rising!

I'm glad you are seeing an RE. One thing I would tell you that I've learned from this journey is that if you feel that something isn't right, PUSH the issue. Most Drs are very very knowledgeable, but even the best of Drs miss things.

Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions!

 

[Jrepp]

I looked up the mthfr that you were talking about and it doesnt seem like I have any of the symptoms. I read further into the progesterone and I feel like thag is my issue. I didnt mention earlier that I am gluten intolerant and I was reading that gluten sensitivites cause progesterone problems. Im going to speak to my regular doctor about the supositories and the cream.

 

[dodgercpkl]

I didn't have any MTHFR symptoms either, though it's very hard to tell since they vary drastically from person to person. About 50-75% of the population has at least one mutation and most don't know about it. Definitely follow up on the progesterone though!

 

[bumpnotyet]

Hi lovely,

I'm having a very similar problem! Since conceiving in 2012 and having a normal pregnancy up to nearly 13 weeks (we miscarried due to a virus I contracted sadly ) but since that pregnancy my hormones went crazy and I suspected I have a progesterone deficiency too! What are you symptoms like? I begin to spot anywhere from 5dpo, usually beginning my true period around 10dpo... But before my first pregnancy I never spotted and always bled on 12dpo like clockwork. I had a laporoscopy in September which confirmed I have mild endo, which they removed, and a slow tube. The doctor thought my short luteal phase was being caused by the endo, but sure enough even after they removed it my spotting on 5dpo continued, so I'm sure it's down to progesterone, and last cycle we had a very very squinty positive (even though i'd been spotting for days before) but I began bleeding on the day of the positive. This cycle we had a confirmed early miscarriage/chemical pregnancy, following spotting since 5dpo, positive tests days 12-18dpo, then true bleeding. I'm really confused as to whether we need ivf (as my doctor has referred us for) or whether I'd still bleed due to low progesterone?

I'm so glad you're seeing an RE I've heard they are amazing with hormone imbalances! Do you take any supplements? I've been taking a B complex and 50mg of B6 as it says it helps hormonal balance. I've also got the serenity progesterone cream just to give it a try this month so I'll definitely let you know if anything helps lovely! I'd love to hear any of your tips too xx lots of love and baby dust xx

 

[Jrepp]

The biggest things I have noticed besides losing 2 pregnancies early on are headaches, restless sleep and heavy periods.

Here is a link I found https://www.30thstreetclinic.com/general-reviews/99-progesterone-deficiency-symptoms.html

My husband works for whole foods, and they sell a really good progesterone cream that I want to try. I'm also gluten intolerant, which I read is highly likely to get a progesterone deficiency.

 

[alicarr74]

It really depends on how the doctor writes the prescription (I work at a pharmacy), I pay about eight dollars for thirty tablets. Usually they only want you to take five -eight a month, but my doctor wrote it as I needed to take one a day so it would be cheaper.