Low progesterone = failure to implant?

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:21 am

Has anyone ever been diagnosed with a hormone problem (ie too little progesterone and/or oestrogen) causing implantation failure or early m/c? At my consultation last week with my clinic we discussed the fact that I start bleeding always 2 days before test date (ie on day 12). Always – even during my first cycle where I had the +ve, I still started spotting on day 12. My consultant says this suggests that my lining is breaking away and reckons can only be caused by too little progesterone. I raised the hydrosalpinx issue but he said my tubes are fine and they can see them during scans. He indicated that the only possible test I haven’t yet done is a hysteroscopy but has left it entirely up to me. I plan to do this simply so that everything possible is done before I consider the next FET.

All being well, I plan FET for November/December – natural, because I have a very regular cycle. They would plan to test my progesterone levels after ET and adjust as necessary.

Anyone else had this or knows about this? I really don’t want to ‘waste’ my frozen blastos until I’m 100% sure we’ve ruled out everything else. Of course, could just be I am very unlucky – I know there are women who have had multiple attempts and either get a +ve on their 4/5th go and those for whom it never works. My clinic seem so sure however that there is something stopping implantation, other than my killer cells.

Any views appreciated!

Nicola

julie n · Post by **julie n** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:23 am

Nicola,

One of my friends who now has a 15 month baby through IVF had the same problem. It was identified after she had one fresh and one FET. She had to inject drugs until 12 weeks and it worked!

Hope this helps.

Regards

Julie

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:43 am

Thanks – fingers crossed this IS the problem. Original problem is male factor, but I have high killer cell levels so the last cycle I had steroids and aspirin too. After 3 failed fresh (one +ve but early m/c and 2 –vs) I’m running out of ideas.

julie n · Post by **julie n** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:25 pm

I know what you mean, I've been through 3 fresh cycles and 2 frozen. I've been tested for most things and on the last FET was treated with steroids for borderline lupus APA (although the 2nd blood test was negative). Like you I'm running out of reasons why this should not work. After my next FET (in the next few weeks) I intend to go to the ARGC for treatment and hopefully be tested for NKC.

Good luck!

Julie

crasmus · Post by **crasmus** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:28 pm

hi there.... i actually went into ivf cuz of PCOS... but they did find that i have low progesterone... so i needed to take a shot untill 12 weeks pg... cuz that is when the placenta starts producing it's own.... that check my levels all the time....

hope that this is the magic time for you!!!!

colleen

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:12 pm

I am very tempted to go to the ARGC. There are pros and cons. Obviously it’s supposed to be the best, which is the pro. The con is that treatment at the ARGC doesn’t seem an option for women that hold down a job (unless you can work from home or are flexible). From what I’ve heard, the number of blood tests etc (sometimes twice a day) just won’t fit in with my job. I guess the argument goes that if I really want a child then I should be prepared to give up everything, but I can’t view it that way. Not everyone has success there and I can’t justify giving up work for potentially nothing. I need to have a life outside of IVF so work gives me that, plus of course the financial independence that helps pay for the IVF! I decided that I will give this FET a go with my clinic – they are as keen as I am to make this work for me. If it fails, then I guess I’ll try the ARGC, but I’m not ready to make that huge commitment yet.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:21 pm

hi nicola,

i don't post much but do read up on whats happening when i can. i really connected with your post. i have low progesterone that was only detected after a long struggle with m/c's and failed ivf's, eventhough it is one of the hormones monitored during a cycle. everything would look ok then about 2 or 3 days before test date i would get AF. it seemed odd to me and i highlighted it to both clinics i used, but neither seemed overally concerned. anyway, finally a scan showed that my progesterone level didn't gradually reduce but completely dropped off around day 12. so day 11 looked great, day 12 nothing. my consultant suggested i use a high dosage progesterone supplements while inbetween treatments. i wasn't convinced and truely believed it was a long shot but thought what the heck... within two months i was naturally pregnant and completely shocked. my baby is 1 yr old. i used high dosage progesterone for about 16 wks, gradually reducing from wk 14 onwards.

our prob was always termed unexplained infertility although did have known male factor issues with borderline quantity and motility. dh took herbal supplement of saw palmetto and generally improved lifestyle, which improved overall quality enormously.

anyway, this is a long winded post to say i have progesterone issues but with the right diagnosis, monitoring and support it can lead to a really happy outcome.

good luck

phil

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:08 am

Thanks for this Phil. Sounds exactly what is happening to me - on Day 12 everything just collapses. Unfortunately DH's male factor is such that we can only conceive via ICSI so unfortunately I can't give the natural method a go. Fingers crossed for my next FET they pick all this up. They plan to give me extra doses of progest (mentioned maybe 3 pessaries instead of the one) or even injections. Stories like yours are heart-warming though!

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:02 pm

I know what you mean about the ARGC. I contacted them to see if i could have an NKC test there without having my treatment there (I live in Cheshire) and they suggested i move to London and have my treatment with them!!

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:22 pm

That’s a bit naughty (and pushy) of them. I remember you wanting to be tested. Did they at least agree to test you for the NKC or will they only test you as part of treatment? I hope you can find a centre to give you this test – I would have thought any private hospital with a fertility clinic would do so?

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:21 am

i am still battling with this one and it's been over a month since i discussed it with my consultant. all the clinics i've asked won't do it so i've now gone back to my consultant's secretary and my nurse and basically begged them to ask him if he'll do it. waiting for a reply today. i am SO fed up with my clinic and definitely won't be using them if my last 3 fail to implant.

dancola · Post by **dancola** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:45 pm

I think you are right to insist on this test. Not saying it will necessarily be the cause of failed cycles, but certainly after 3 failed attempts it’s worth testing for. As can be seen from my example, even after taking steroids for the NKC I still didn’t get a positive, so it’s no guarantee that it even was the NKC that caused my failures. However, after a certain amount of tries (particularly if you are paying for it) it’s well worth spending the extra money on these preventative tests. My view is I’m not prepared to undergo any more treatment until I’ve had every test going! Next up is a hysteroscopy in October. My clinic aren’t saying I need this but have said I can have one if I want – and I want!

Low progesterone = failure to implant?

Low progesterone = failure to implant?

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