What Causes Low Progesterone Levels?

Posted on Tue, 21 Apr 2015

Question: Please can you help me. I am worried sick. I am trying to conceive I have always had regular cycles varying from 27-31 day cycles. In January I had a 30 day cycle which I am fine about but in February I completely missed a period (negative pregnancy test) Doctor did a Day 21 Progesterone and it came back as not ovulated as was at less than 1. I finally came on at the beginning of March which then gave me a 41 day cycle. I have had another Day 21 this month and it has come back the same as less than 1. I am currently on day 27 of my cycle? Should I worry that I am not ovulating or is it because I have had the late period? I am worried it might be the menopause and I really want a baby. I am trying so hard. I have got an appointment with Fertility Specialist next week but I wonder if you can help me before then please. What if I don't ovulate? What if I have low progesterone I want to conceive naturally. I have had Day 21 in the past and everything has been good and Day 3 FSH was 4.2 which I believe is good.

Do you really see I need to panic? Please help asap. Please help I am crying that I will never be a MUM

Many thanks

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Consult a fertility specialist.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us about your health care.

I can see your concern here and want to suggest you that do not take so much stress, it will further decrease your chances of getting pregnant.

Yes, your progesterone may be low due to prolonged cycle.

As you are going to visit a fertility specialist he will give you drug to induce ovulation and progesterone supplement to correct progesterone levels.

At age of 39 yrs. and normal fsh the chances of early menopause are low.

Hope it is useful, feel free to discuss more.

Good luck.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (4 minutes later)

Do you see I could ovulate on my own? Just the day 21 may of been took at wrong time?
Do you see I can get pregnant naturally?

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can use ovulation kit to see ovulation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Sorry for the delay in my response.

You can use ovulation kit to see whether you are ovulating or not.

You may conceive naturally with the help of some drugs.

Meet your fertility specialist and get your hormonal profile, ultrasound scan, HSG and semen analysis of your husband should be done to see everything is fine or not.

Take folic acid tablets daily, healthy and balanced diet, yoga and meditation, quit alcohol and smoking, alternate day sex to increase the chances of pregnancy.

Hope it is useful.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (2 hours later)

Why have my period suddenly gone from regular to a 40 day cycle is this normal at some stage in our life and without drugs could my cycle come back naturally

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it can be a normal physiological variation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Nice to hear from you once again.

Yes, it can be a normal physiological variation in your case.

In everybody life sometime or other period become s irregular and regularize by their own.

Same can be in your case but if it persist for 2-3 cycles than it should be investigated to rule out the cause.

Some common problem like stress, anxiety can also change your menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalance, thyroid disorder can also change it.

Hope it is useful.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (9 hours later)

why have I suddenly got low progesterone it has always been normal. Can I achieve pregnancy naturally as I don't want ivf

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can conceive naturally.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Sorry for the long delay in my response.

Progesterone level at day 21 decrease because ovulation does not take place in that cycle.

You can conceive naturally but in my opinion you should consult a fertility specialists and get your all investigation done to see whether you can conceive naturally or not.

There is no harm in opting IVF option ( I can understand your concern here) because your age is increasing you should conceive fast.

Hope it is useful.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (11 hours later)

My husband won't have semen test will they still investigate me so I know if I have a problem or not

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, they will definitely investigate you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes, they will definitely investigate you to know that is everything normal in you or not?

You should promote your husband for semen analysis because it is also very important.

Hope it is useful.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar