Progesterone with TTC?

Question

I have not had a period since April, I started to take Progesterone pills yesterday and will be taking them for 14 days. My doctor told me to test for pregnancy before taking it next month, I have been reading that you should test for pregnancy before going off it. Because going off the Progesterone will cause the lining of the uterus to shed.

I really want a baby and don't want to kill a fetus by doing it wrong.

Can someone please explain this to me?

Thanks for all you help.

Answer 1

To the best of my knowledge, when TTC, you take progesterone during the 2nd half of your cycle, and only then when blood tests have shown you to have a progesterone deficiency that would put a potential pregnancy at risk.

A drop in progesterone is what signals the body that it's time to shed the uterine lining, so therefore if you're using progesterone, you should take an HPT about 14 days after you expected to ovulate to determine if you are pregnant and therefore maintain taking the progesterone until the placenta grows large enough to make enough to sustain the pregnancy.

But if your doctor is using progesterone to help cause you a period, I think you are seeing the wrong kind of doctor.  If you're not having periods, I would think they would check for ovualtion.  After all, without ovulation, you're less likely to get a period.

It sounds like you are in a position that if you are not, you SHOULD be under the care of a Board Certified Reproductive Endocinologist (fertility specialist).

Answer 2

Well, it seems kind of strange the way he explained it.  I was explained to take it till I got my period.  Progesterone stupports pregnancy, so if you stopped it while pregnant, it could cause you miscarry.  It COULD.  Many women don't take it and have perfectly normal pregnancies.  So basically, if you start your period, you should stop the progesterone.

Most doctors put you on progesterone if they suspect your levels are low or if you have had miscarriages in the past.  I was on it when I found out I was pregnant and took it through week 10.