Low Progesterone in First Cycle Following Miscarriage
Question
I recently had a miscarriage about a month ago. I had my progesterone levels checked roughly seven-nine days after I ovulated the first time after the miscarriage (before my period returned). They were at 6.1, which I subsequently learned was very low and would be too low to sustain a pregnancy. So my question is this- could the low levels this cycle be because it was only the first cycle after a miscarriage? I know that some Drs recommend waiting to try to conceive (mine did) because of fear that uterine lining is not properly built back up. So is the low progesterone possibly an indication of weak uterine lining this cycle? What is the possibility that this low level (6.1) was an anomoly?
Thank you VERY much!
Answer
Last Updated: June 17, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss. You did not indicate whether this was your first miscarriage or whether you have had other children. If you have had recurrent miscarriages and you have never had a normal pregnancy, then I would recommend that you have a luteal phase (post peak; post ovulation) progesterone panel done in the next few cycles. I would recommend that you wait until you have had a normal period (normal for you), then collect the panel. This would be a series of progesterone levels drawn at Peak mucus day (which approximates ovulation day) plus 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days. It is possible that the low progesterone level you measured in the cycle following your miscarriage was not reflective of an underlying hormonal problem with your body, especially if you were fairly well along in your pregnancy when you miscarried. Often it can take the body a few cycles to get back on track. The main reason to consider waiting to conceive following a miscarriage is that the uterine lining may not have recovered from the miscarriage, resulting in an inhospitable environment for a potentially conceived child. It may also be the case (not proven that I know of) that it may take a few cycles for you to have a normal ovulation following a miscarriage, especially if you were well along in your pregnancy when you had the miscarriage. If you chart your cycles using a natural family planning method, you would benefit from having your charts reviewed by a physician who has been trained to interpret these charts. He or she may be able to recognize a pattern suggestive of a fertility issue.
Dr. Gisla
Dr. Gisla
Answered By:
John Gisla, MD
Dr. John Gisla, Board Certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians, pracitces in the Sacramento Region.
