Progesterone supplementation

Hello Charlotte39,

You've entered the murky world of luteal phase progesterone treatment!  The science isn't clear who needs progesterone supplementation outside of ART.  Women who have a normal uterus, normal hormone levels (e.g. thyroid, prolactin, etc.) but who spot between ovulation and their period might have a luteal phase defect.  Such women might benefit from progesterone supplements during this time period (i.e. the luteal phase).  A biopsy of the endometrium can help diagnose luteal phase defect but unfortunately even if you diagnose it and treat it with progesterone there aren't any studies that show a significant improvement in pregnancy rate.  Some centres, particularly in the USA, will do repeated measures of the progesterone level in the luteal phase and if it's below a certain cut-off then treat women with progesterone - again no good science to support this practice.

So, it's murky and depends a lot on symptoms, results of blood hormone levels, and fertility history.

Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC

Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

Thanks for the information Dr. Taylor.  :)  There is a lot of mixed info out there. . .

I'm not sure if you'll look at this post again, but do clinics sometimes use progesterone supplementation after IUIs or is this something that varies clinic to clinic? Is there any harm in progesterone supplementation?

Thank you.

Hello Charlotte39,

Not commonly will I use progesterone with just an IUI unless there's a reason.  The reasons included suspected luteal phase defect/short luteal phase or recurrent pregnancy loss.

Good luck! 

Dr. Beth Taylor

thanks Dr. Taylor - I really appreciate the reply and the information.

All the best to you.

The whole thing is that most women still not sure whether or not progesterone helps them. There have been numerous articles in publications mentioning that progesterone can help during pregnancy. The verdict is I believe awaited.

suffering from progesterone now i using prozestra its benefit me but can any suggest another method of how to get rid of progesterone.

Hi there,

 My husband and i TTC for about 18 mths i'm 33 DH 38. I been using the progestrone cream for 12 mths now..i have endo got diagnosed in 2002 been on the pill for 6 years..after i stopped the pill 3 months later i had a RMT Saliva test done on day 21 and the result came back with a very low prog. level. But i still have the brown spotting before my period some months it even starts on day 18..( my period usually 26-28 days..)..i start using the crem from day 13-14..and the other issue i have i'm using the cream but i still get my period without stopping it ..usually they tell you to stop using the cram 2 days prior to your period..?? Could you please let me know what you think..??

Thanks!!