Progesterone supplements?

[littlehush]

I was wondering is it wrong to take progesterone supplements if you don't actually have low levels? I have never had my progesterone levels checked, doctors have never bothered, so i dont know if i have or not. But would it do any harm if i did take progesterone supplements?

 

[MrsJD]

Hi Littlelush,

I have low progesterone however, my gyne didn't feel this warrants treatment but I use progesterone cream in the LP (wellsprings).

XX

 

[CurlySue]

If you don't have low progesterone and take supplements to 'up' it I was under the impression it could cause an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen and could actually be a BAD thing.

Best to check you need it first. IF it's low, then take the supplements. If it's fine then there is no real point in messing with hormone levels as you don't know where else is going to 'adjust' itself to 'keep up'.

 

[chocci]

As part of my ICSI cycle they prescribe prog supps to everyone regardless. They prescribe prog to support the pregnancy all way to 12th week. Everyone at my clinic gets it as par for course. I would have thought if it caused problems they would not do this.

 

[CurlySue]

There is a difference in IVF/ICSI in that when they go for egg collection they render the body incapable of producing adequate progesterone (along with the fluid and the egg the cells which produce pregnancy-maintaining progesterone are removed). That's why they give the supplements. After a certain number of weeks the placenta of any implanted embryo takes over and supplies the progesterone that the pregnancy needs in order for it to survive but they've never been able to ultimately pinpoint when that actually happens. Our hospital was carrying out a study in giving progesterone for the full 12 weeks and I was given a leaflet on the subject. All of this information was in leaflet.
I was told that it was not the same for women who had not undergone IVF because their corpus luteum remains intact and is therefore capable of making its own progesterone. Creating too much of any hormone unnecessarily can always mess with levels elsewhere. It's what Clomid does, for instance. It represses certain hormones so the body has to 'up' other hormones in order to rectify the perceived imbalance.

Get yourself tested. If you need the progesterone then take it, obviously. If you don't, then it really is putting something extra into your body that does not need to be there. After 8 losses, though, I'd expect that they'd test you no problem at all.

 

[littlehush]

Thanks for the replies girls

Totally understand what you saying Curlysue, and in a way i kinda thought that myself, but just thought i would ask the question. I am waiting on funding to see a specialist in london, so will wait and see if they find anything.

 

[chocci]

There is a difference in IVF/ICSI in that when they go for egg collection they render the body incapable of producing adequate progesterone (along with the fluid and the egg the cells which produce pregnancy-maintaining progesterone are removed). That's why they give the supplements. After a certain number of weeks the placenta of any implanted embryo takes over and supplies the progesterone that the pregnancy needs in order for it to survive but they've never been able to ultimately pinpoint when that actually happens. Our hospital was carrying out a study in giving progesterone for the full 12 weeks and I was given a leaflet on the subject. All of this information was in leaflet.
I was told that it was not the same for women who had not undergone IVF because their corpus luteum remains intact and is therefore capable of making its own progesterone. Creating too much of any hormone unnecessarily can always mess with levels elsewhere. It's what Clomid does, for instance. It represses certain hormones so the body has to 'up' other hormones in order to rectify the perceived imbalance.

Get yourself tested. If you need the progesterone then take it, obviously. If you don't, then it really is putting something extra into your body that does not need to be there. After 8 losses, though, I'd expect that they'd test you no problem at all.

The process and drugs used for the woman during an ICSI cycle is exactly the same as for an IVF cycle (at my clinic anyway), ICSI cycle is basically IVF but they inject the egg with the sperm so the protocol does not have to be differnet for the woman in anyway whatseover, so not sure i totally agree with the above, on the other hand i do know that too high progestrone levels can actually prevent ovulation also so yes testing is required!

 

[CurlySue]

Thanks for the replies girls

Totally understand what you saying Curlysue, and in a way i kinda thought that myself, but just thought i would ask the question. I am waiting on funding to see a specialist in london, so will wait and see if they find anything.

If they do it's easily fixed. If they don't they should be conducting tests into recurrent miscarriage. They say if its more than 3 then you can be investigated. Not sure if that's still the case if you have children though. Have you had any testing done?

 

[maz]

There is a difference in IVF/ICSI in that when they go for egg collection they render the body incapable of producing adequate progesterone (along with the fluid and the egg the cells which produce pregnancy-maintaining progesterone are removed). That's why they give the supplements. After a certain number of weeks the placenta of any implanted embryo takes over and supplies the progesterone that the pregnancy needs in order for it to survive but they've never been able to ultimately pinpoint when that actually happens. Our hospital was carrying out a study in giving progesterone for the full 12 weeks and I was given a leaflet on the subject. All of this information was in leaflet.
I was told that it was not the same for women who had not undergone IVF because their corpus luteum remains intact and is therefore capable of making its own progesterone. Creating too much of any hormone unnecessarily can always mess with levels elsewhere. It's what Clomid does, for instance. It represses certain hormones so the body has to 'up' other hormones in order to rectify the perceived imbalance.

Get yourself tested. If you need the progesterone then take it, obviously. If you don't, then it really is putting something extra into your body that does not need to be there. After 8 losses, though, I'd expect that they'd test you no problem at all.

The process and drugs used for the woman during an ICSI cycle is exactly the same as for an IVF cycle (at my clinic anyway), ICSI cycle is basically IVF but they inject the egg with the sperm so the protocol does not have to be differnet for the woman in anyway whatseover, so not sure i totally agree with the above, on the other hand i do know that too high progestrone levels can actually prevent ovulation also so yes testing is required!

I think CS was saying that there is a difference in progesterone levels between a normally conceived pregnancy and one from IVF OR ICSI, and not that there is a difference in the progesterone levels between IVF AND ICSI.

 

[CurlySue]

That is exactly what I meant, Maz. There is no difference in the egg retrieval process for either and that is where the progesterone cells/corpus luteum get damaged. That is why ALL woman who undergo IVF/ICSI are put on an initial two week prescription of progesterone, because we are not capable of producing it ourselves. I've been really angry with my hospital for not allowing me to take part in the progesterone support trial since low progesterone can be the cause of early/missed miscarriages. It might not have had anything to do with me losing these two babies but I will never know, will I?

This was an NHS study; a leaflet that I was given. It's not something I just think or believe. It's just not a good idea for people to be taking hormones that do not need to be taken. The side effects and outcomes are often more damaging than anything.

 

[maz]

I hear exactly what you're saying. It's strange that some clinics will only give you enough to do the 2WW and others make you use it until 12 weeks. If there is hard evidence that it is better to take it until week 12, why don't all clinics do it?

Hope you're starting to feel a bit better CS.

 

[CurlySue]

That was what the study at our hospital was supposed to be, to see if there WAS a difference. They reckoned that studies thusfar had showed risk of miscarriage dropped to ten percent, hence our real issue with not being allowed to take part if it WAS that effective.

They said if they were able to conduct these studies with a degree of certainty the twelve week thing would be implemented in all hospitals.

I will feel better when its all over really. Only five more days to go. Hope you are feeling okay.

 

[emmap]

Hi

Had progesterone until i had my 12 week scan with both my ivf pregnancies.
Not sure what the norm is though. But it works.

 

[CurlySue]

Hi

Had progesterone until i had my 12 week scan with both my ivf pregnancies.
Not sure what the norm is though. But it works.

They refused to give it to me despite offering it before, during and after egg collection/transfer. I had it for only two weeks. I'm currently miscarrying.

Nice to know that some hospitals offer it Might not be in this position if I'd had it.

Still, it is different for us IVF ladies since we don't produce enough of it on our own.

Oh my God, I am so fecking angry now. Again, it just hit me now. Sitting here miscarrying and sodding pessaries might have made a difference.

 

[pinkbunny]

CurlySue im so so so sorry to hear about ur loss big hugs to u n ur oh xxx

I have low progesterone and hoping they will give me supplements monday after my docs appt im still confused as to what is "LOW" there is so diff opinions

 

[hopefulfor09]

My FS gives progesterone to everyone who gets pregnant at my clinic. I had yet to receive treatment and got my BFP and I am taking progesterone suppositories - and will up until the 12th week. My FS said it can't do any harm and can help support pregnancy so she makes it mandatory for everyone - regardless of how they fell pregnant.

I am sorry for your losses honey - I find it hard to understand why after so many losses your doc wouldn't check your progesterone - especially when they are happening that early. I hope you get your sticky BFP soon.

 

[hopefulfor09]

Curly - I am sorry for what you're going through as well....hugs.