Do I Have Adequate Progesterone Levels?
Question
Hello,
I am hoping you can help me. I have been suspecting I am progesterone deficient because I am having trouble conceiving, have not ovulated for four months (according to my fertility monitor, as well as simple ovulation predictor sticks) and am having shorter, irregular menstrual cycles, PMS symptoms, anxiety and even acne (none of which is a norm for me). My OB/GYN ordered a serum test for estrogen (results came back normal), but I had to specifically request a test for progesterone, which I thought was strange given my current symptoms. My doctor’s office just phoned and said my progesterone levels were ‘normal.’ I was tested approx. one week prior to my period. My serum progesterone level came back 5.9, which according to everything I’ve read, is actually quite low. I am feeling frustrated because I’m getting conflicting answers. I purchased natural progesterone cream because I was absolutely convinced I needed it (I took an online test and checked about 20 of 30 symptoms related to progesterone deficiency/estrogen dominance. I would like to use it, but haven’t yet.
I am approaching my 35th birthday and my husband and I are beginning to think we will never have children. I am looking for another OBGYN, but in the meantime was hoping you could offer some thoughts on my levels/symptoms. Also, can you please tell me which days of the month natural progesterone cream is indicated for a woman trying to conceive?
Many thanks for your time and consideration in answering my questions.
Regards,
Julie
Answer
Last Updated: July 24, 2013
You are correct that the progesterone level of 5.9 is low. That level indicates that you did ovulate. However, the level would be too low to maintain a pregnancy if you had achieved pregnancy in that cycle. You would be at high risk for a miscarriage. If your anxiety and acne are occurring prior to the start of your menstrual period they also are probably related to the low progesterone level. Other significant symptoms of PMS would be irritability, bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness, food cravings, usually carbohydrates such as chocolate or even salt, depression, crying easily, insomnia, headache and fatigue. If these symptoms occur greater than three days before the start of your period, they usually mean the woman has suboptimal or low progesterone levels. Creighton Model teachers and Natural Family Medical Consultants consider that medically significant. You also mention irregular menstrual cycles. Those may be the cycles when your fertility monitor and ovulation predictor sticks are indicating you aren’t ovulating. It is possible you are experiencing episodes of irregular bleeding not true menstrual periods. This is caused by hormone fluctuations without ovulation. I would not recommend progesterone cream which could potentially suppress ovulation if it is not used at the correct time in the cycle. You plan to change your OB/GYN. I would look for a Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant near you. These physicians have specialized training to diagnose and treat conditions such as yours in a manner that cooperates with the reproductive cycle. You can check the CANFP website for a Medical Consultant near you. You can also search for a Creighton Model Practitioner or teacher who can assist you in learning how to observe and chart the various biological markers occurring during your cycle. Those markers are more accurate than the monitors and predictor sticks at identifying problems such as probable low progesterone and possibly not ovulating, and unusual bleeding as opposed to a true menstrual period. One additional recommendation would be asking your primary care doctor to check your thyroid function. That is a simple blood test. An overactive or under active thyroid can cause difficulty becoming pregnant. Ongoing anxiety is one of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid.
I hope this information is helpful, and provides you with the information you and your husband need to start your family.
Pat Poindexter, RN, CFCE
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