TTC, Basal Temp, No Clear "High Temp" Period, Low Progesterone? Any Supplements?

Updated on November 12, 2011
M.T. asks from Saint Paul, MN
4 answers

Hi, I'm hoping to get pregnant and I started measuring my basal temperature during my last cycle. What I noticed during the last and the current cycles (I'm on my 21st day today) is that I don't have a clear "high temperature" period. During the last period, I had a couple of high temp days (after a dip) on 14th and 15th days, and then it dipped down, rising again on 21st day until my period started on the 29th day. This cycle, I had one high temp (after a dip) on 16th day, and then it's back to being low again until today.

I read that this may be an indication of insufficient progesterone from corpus luteum. If that is the case, I may be ovulating, but low progesterone makes implantation of fertilized egg (and pregnancy) difficult. This is only about 4th cycle of us trying and 2nd month charting. My OBGYN clinic told me they don't see patients for infertility until they've been trying for a year. Our hope is to get pregnant by January cycle, ideally (because of our age and other things going on, but I understand these things often go according to plan).

Do you think I can go in to have my progesterone levels checked, without trying for so many months? Can we go into regular clinic, not OBGYN clinic for this? Is there a better day(s) in a cycle for me to go in to have progesterone levels measured?

Also, if there are any over the counter supplements to improve my cycle and progesterone levels, please let me know. Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank you for your advice! I decided to start with reading the "Taking charge of your fertility" book (two of you recommended it) and also to get a new basal thermometer (mine was rated low with reviewer saying it was unreliable). I've also made an appt with an OBGYN to have my hormone level tested (and possibly more). I'm interested in your other suggestions too; I'll take it step by step and may move forward with those after seeing what happens after taking above steps. Thanks!

More Answers

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Do you have the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", by Toni Weschler? If not, please check it out from the library or get it ASAP. It will help you make sure you are measuring and charting temps and symptoms correctly. It sounds to me like you are not ovulating. Even with low progesterone, you usually have a small rise that stays a couple tenths above for 12-14 days before period starts. If you are in your 30's, don't wait a year before seeking help with your infertility problems. Standard rule of thumb for us practitioners is if no conception in 6 months of trying to conceive and woman is 35 or older, it's a good idea to refer to reproductive endocrinology. Average couple under age 35 will take up to 5-6 months to conceive and 80% will conceive with 1 yr of trying. If, however, you are not ovulating, you need some blood tests to determine the cause. Best day to do hormone blood test for hormones (LH, FSH, TSH, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, etc) is day 3 of your cycle (third day after bleeding starts). Sometimes progesterone is repeated around day 21. Best wishes! Nurse Midwife Mom of 3

3 moms found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Shreveport on

You need to keep charting a couple of more cycles. Also read the book Taking Charge of Your fertility.
You are just starting on the charting and there are a lot of things that could have thrown off the cycle that you are thinking shows a problem. Like if you took the temp at the wrong time, to a fan being on you all night,the temp in your room being off,to not having enough sleep during the night. You are suppose to have a set number of hours of sleep before you take your temp. Also drinking the night before can have an affect on your temp the next morning.
I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you have issues with just one wonky chart.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I haven't read the other responses and I'm no expert, but I just saw a Dr. Oz show the other day (completely random LOL) and he was talking to women with some hormonal issues. Anyway, there was a doctor on there suggesting over the counter progesterone and it could be found at a health foods store...you might check if you think that's your issue.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

My midwife suggested an OTC herb called Vitex (Chaste Berry), to help get my cycles on track after nursing my first child for over a year. We wanted to get pregnant with kid number 2, and because of my age, didn't want to waste too much time. I had only been taking it a couple weeks when I got pregnant, so I don't know if it had to do with the Vitex, or if I just got lucky. You can find quite a bit of information about it online, and it might be worth a try to see if it gets your cycles regulated. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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