Just thought I would share this as I believe it was the key for me getting pregnant.
I had 6 embryo transfers all end in a BFN despite good quality day 5 blastocysts. I then got a BFP with embryo 7 but it ended in miscarriage at 4 - 5 weeks.
I kept asking my clinic about getting my progesterone levels checked but they didn’t feel it was necessary. New research then changed their minds. I was on cyclogest pessaries for 2 transfers and lubion injections for 5.
For embryo 8, they checked my progesterone levels the day before transfer and they came back shockingly low despite being on Lubion, so they changed me to prontogest intra muscular injections on the day of the transfer and when I had my levels retested, they had done from something like 4 to 93?! I am now 19 weeks pregnant! I totally believe it’s all down to using this type of progesterone.
I’m sure different methods of progesterone work differently for different ladies but I think regardless of the method used, it’s so important to have your levels tested if you haven’t done so already.
My clinic’s new research has shown lubion to be the least effective progesterone support, followed by pessaries, and intra muscular prontogest to be the gold standard. Once I got my BFP, I also had pessaries added in to give me an extra boost and I remained on injections and pessaries until 12 weeks, gradually reducing down from week 11.
I just wanted to share this incase it makes a difference to just one of you xxx
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Scarlett13
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I feel exactly the same why my first 4xab fet failed. Convinced its down to progesterone. Ages ago I had 21 day test for progesterone and mine was 32. My GP said it needed to be above 28 so 32 was acceptable.
During my first transfer I was only on ustrogesten. This cycle I'm on ustrogesten and lubion. Still not convinced this is sufficient.
Thanks for posting. I may asked to get checked again. X
My clinic said an ideal level is over 50? Def get checked again...and going by my clinic’s research, day think it’s better to up your pessaries and not bother with lubion?! And if you can go for intra muscular injections!! Although thankfully your levels are much higher than mine were!! Good luck xxx
My oh rolls his eyes every time I suggest a reason for its failure. I'm convinced my progesterone is too low. Think I'll ask the clinic fri when Im next there to check me x
I’ve always been so confused as to why my great looking embryos have never implanted...I had the scratch done 5x so I’m pretty sure that’s not worth bothering with. I think it’s too much of a coincidence to not be the progesterone and I think it’s low progesterone that likely caused my early miscarriage. You’ve got to really fight for yourself sometimes - show you’re OH these posts x
What happens of progesterone is too low day before transfer? I think I'm going to have a battle on my hands with my clinic. My lubion (never used it before appears to be injections?). I will be on ustrogesten and lubion this time rather than just ustrogesten. I hope this is enough but will still ask the clinic to check me anyway x
Mine was too low day before transfer so straight after transfer I was injected with prontogest by the nurse in my bum then my boyfriend did it for me every night after that.
Lubion is sub cut so just in your tummy.
I’m glad you’ll be on both pessaries and lubion combined x
Hi Jessy, just to add even although your progesterone is ok in a normal AF cycle it may not be when you are doing treatment. It looks like I also suffer from not absorbing the meds properly so we are adding in extra progesterone this time and checking my levels on day of transfer so we can make adjustments of meds if need be. Ive had implantation issues and a spontaneous miscarriage and lost the last preganncy and my progesterone was only 19 which is too low to support pregnancy. Best of luck.xx
Hey you! I’m delighted to read that your now 19 weeks! That’s interesting information about progesterone as my second and third goes I had pessaries but I’m unclear as to what my levels were sadly. Hope all stays well for you 💕 xx
Completely agree I asked for my levels to be tested and they said I was within normal range but low side I basically had to beg to take one extra a day as they said it wouldn’t cause us harm this got approved and I now have a beautiful little girl. I was on cyclogest pessaries and I really think this is why it worked
I used prontogest on my last fet and it was the first time I had a postive pregnancy test (it was our fourth embryo) sadly it didn't progress but I do believe the prontogest made the difference. We are going to start a fresh cycle soon and using prontogest again. Can I ask how often you were injecting? I was having 1 injection every 3rd day.
I'm so grateful that my Dr was on the ball about this and had my levels checked after transfer. Despite being on 10 mg/day which is more than most seem to be prescribed my levels were still lower than they should have been and who knows whether that would have made the difference between my pregnancy, which has resulted in an incredibly pooey little girl, sticking or not. Great to raise awareness Scarlett and keep us posted on how you're getting on xxx
Yay a doctor on the ball with progesterone and you got your baby - I swear it’s so so important and some ladies are born with naturally much lower progesterone levels I’ve read so would need more support than the average lady xxx
Thanks for sharing. Although my clinic never tested my level of progesterone I think this aspect played major problem with failure of my first ever Ivf treatment! Likely I was switched to Gestone (now called prontogest) for second attempt and this was a success!!! For my FETs I was even on pessaries and prontogest injections and this eventually gave me BFP for my baby number too. It’s hard not to believe that progesterone level might cause me infertility!
Thank you for putting that our there. Should all clinics test for this if it is requested? Even though I've not made it to transfer yet they only give pessaries and havent said they offer progesterone testing. Why cant they just do it as the norm! Xx
I personally think ALL clinics should test everyone as the norm. I was lucky that my clinic finally decided to test everyone as the norm but I wish they had have done this sooner (when I was on my first 2 nhs rounds)! Even when I asked to be tested they said no. They tested me once for free but I then paid for a second test to ensure the change of progesterone had made a difference and it had. If your clinic doesn’t offer it I would def push them to let you pay for it, it costs £35 at my clinic. So much cheaper and more efficient than all the 5 scratches I paid for that I now think were totally unnecessary x
Yes I got tested the day before transfer so that I had the result on transfer day but in future if I ever have another go I would just insist on starting with and staying on prontogest so need to be tested or changed or boosted x
I’m so glad you posted this. My experience with FET was exactly the same. I have never had problems with implantation (2/3 transfers have ended in BFP) except my second transfer which was a medicated FET of a 5AA blast where my progesterone levels were incredibly low. I too was put on prontogest (intramuscular) injections for my 3rd transfer and I’m now 7+6 with a healthy baby seen in scan. I 100% believe it was the progesterone that caused my second transfer to fail and in case others are interested when doing my research I found this paper that support this and is the one I believe my clinic used to develop their cut off for progesterone levels (that I was well under on my failed cycle) researchgate.net/publicatio...
Fantastic! So glad you got your progesterone sorted and that intramuscular worked for you. Thank you for sharing that link, will read that now - and congratulations xxxxx
Miracle43 just tagging you as this is the big progesterone thread that I thought it might be helpful for you to read. It seems some clinics now use a higher cut off point for their optimal progesterone levels (see linked article) and you’ll also see there are also quite a few examples of people having success following the switch to prontogest (which are different because they are progesterone in oil and administered intramuscular). It seems different progesterone works differently for different people. So might be something worth looking into for your next follow up xx
Hi Scarlett, it's really good to see an update from you,hope your pregnancy is going smoothly.
I have my fresh transfer number 5 next week and after chatting to Cinderella who also mentioned this I spoke to my clinic and they agreed to check my levels on transfer day so fingers crossed.
Oh wow good luck with number 5! And I’m so pleased to hear you’re going to get tested. Results take 24 hours so I was tested the day before transfer so I could change to intramuscular on the day of transfer - worth considering. Good luck, I seriously hope this is your time xxx
If you can I would ask them to test the day before transfer day. My first FET I had them tested on the day and they were incredibly low I didn’t start prontogest I until the day after and I got a BFN. On my second FET they started me on prontogest earlier and tested me the day before transfer so we had time to fix things before transfer and levels were fine and I got my BFP xx
Thank you for your message, the clinic tested my levels and said that hormone levels were all ok and didn't need additional but if we have to go again (hopefully not as this is our 5th transfer) then I will ask them to test again xx
So let me get this right is it before transfer I should get them to check? And should be above 50? i never knew anything about this and on transfer day tbey can boost more? Sorry i feel so thick im going private on my next one so just wanna kinda make them think I know what i am talking about.
Yes I had my levels checked the day before transfer so that I had my result on transfer day as the result can take 24 hours. My clinic said 50 is what they aim for as a good level but I’ve heard that anything over 30 is good, I think 50 is ideal. If I go again in the future though, I won’t bother with anything but prontogest to start with so that I won’t need to be changed or boosted - intramuscular is the best and worked for me so I would just use that knowing it’s what works for me. It’s the most expensive and painful option and your partner has to do it for you with a long needle into your bum but it’s not that bad once you get used to it and obviously worth it x
It’s a blood test and results come back quickly within 24 hours. My clinic told me no when I enquired at the second transfer but I pushed to have this done for the third transfer. GPs can offer a hormone panel or private GPs can also offer this
As Scarlett says 50 is ideal that’s what my clinic aim for. They can be more though, this time I started on prontogest from the start and my levels were over 200 on transfer day and I got my BFP xx
I think it’s because it was a natural FET second time so I ovulated and so would have been producing my own as well whereas my first FET was fully medicated so I was totally reliant on progesterone supplementation. Because if the BFN I think they just wanted to be on the safe side this time. I was only doing it every other day as well and it was still that high!!
Hi, this is my second transfer and I’m a strong believer that being on prontogest injections gave me my BFP. Nearly 7 weeks in and going strong; so I totally agree with you on this. X
I’m so pleased that you’re on prontogest so early with your second transfer - so wish I had have had the opportunity much sooner than my 8th transfer. Is this because you were tested or your clinic puts everyone on prontogest or...?? Absolutely fantastic - congratulations on your pregnancy so far ❤️❤️❤️ Have you had your first scan?! X
Thank you I’m really pleased. I’ve had some spotting but the clinic have said that it’s part of package at the moment. No scan yet - 23rd so next weds!
The first time around I was just on Cyclogest and bled heavily in my 2nd week of the 2ww.
My clinic recommended I go straight on to Prontogest this time around. I also had the embryo glue and Endo scratch. But I’m sure it’s the injections that have made all the difference.
I had cyclogest for my first 2 transfers and bled in my second week both times too which is why they then moved me to lubion but didn’t know at time that that was even less effective, for me anyway, just wish I had have had prontogest sooner. Good luck for the 23rd!!!! In March I had a miscarriage right before my first scan and I think that was due to not enough progesterone support as was just on lubion. I’m 20 weeks on Saturday and yes this is my 8th embryo. Took 3 fresh cycles. I’m 39. So happy!!! Xxx
I’m 38 and I thought it would never happen for me - so every twinge I’m overthinking at the minute. I can’t believe how often I’m sat staring in to my toilet tissue thinking OMG is that blood is it just the rest of the pessary from this morning?!? (Sounds gross I know)
My FET is on Monday 21st and my clinic has me on lubion and clinone. I am concerned but my clinic isn't so I may well insist on them double checking as I am an older (geriatric) potential mother!!!
Definitely ask to be tested the day before your transfer as results take 24 hours and if your levels are low ask to be put on prontogest. It’s good that you’re on 2 methods of support. I just had lubion on its own for most of my transfers. If your clinic doesn’t test as standard like mine didn’t for ages then just insist and pay for the blood test. It was £35 at my clinic. I’m also geriatric at 39. Good luck xxx
If your progesterone is naturally high and the give you progesterone anyway... I’ve just returned from hospital with a reaction to the Lubion. Blood literally turned to lava and my breathing stopped...
Demand testing . I no longer will take progesterone as I don’t need to. No one knows why I reacted and it’s still being investigated, but I wouldn’t be a poorly if the just tested and figured out I didn’t need it. I lost the embryo, as I believe my body had to fight off the infection/allergy first.
Wow I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone, what an ordeal to go through, thanks for sharing this!!! So they think your progesterone levels are naturally high so progesterone support isn’t needed at all? I’m so glad you’ve found out bit what an awful way to find out!! Hope you get to go again soon xxx
Support isn’t needed if you have the levels... I’ve questioned it, and all doctors have replied the same. They just like to over medicate....as it’s something they do. I’m fuming!
I keep pushing this to the girls Im speaking to Scarlett as I truly believe it is super important now! Do you know if there is any published info regarding the study you mention as I'd love to read it? Glad to hear all is going well fo you guys.xx
No idea about the clinic’s study other than what the nurse told me if their findings. They now realise it’s really important to test as all women have different progesterone levels and reactions to support, glad you’re sharing this info too. How are you getting on? Xxx
Ahhhh that's ok, I'll maybe be able to find it on google....like everything else! Ha ha ha Im doing not too bad. Minor meltdown yesterday as I had my first scan on Tuesday which was only 6.1mm with trilaminar appearance and normal at this stage for me however my clinic are approaching my lining prep a little differently to previous times which is freaking me out big time. They had me on 1x100 patches every 48hrs this time alongside 8mg of progynova daily and they would normally just up my progynova but they're upping the patches instead to 2x100 patches every 48hrs. Ive totally got the fear of the unknown now. Apparently its something to do with perhaps my liver metabolises the progynova before it reaches my uterus so using estrogen from patches is another route to get it into me. I have another scan next week so can only hope.....so stressful!xx
Thank you, I just worry that changing something might lead to the fact I dont get to transfer at all if my lining doesnt respond. Just not sure I understand the logic of changing lining protocol when Ive had 2xBFP before. Hey ho, will just have to go with it. Been throwing the raspeberry leaf tea over my neck since yesterday too. I guess Im just freaking out as Im feeling more under pressure with all these transfers under my belt and two failed BFP's but must get on with it!!xx
Im certainly hoping so but wont have many days to do so as the clinic only allow me to be on estrogen for a certain number of days - in their opinion there is a max so I have a little leeway but not a lot!xx
Hey Cinderella here’s the study I read on progesterone when I was going through this - I’m pretty sure it’s the one my clinic has used because it recommends a level of over 50 which is what my clinic recommends: researchgate.net/publicatio...
Thank you very much! I have read a few similar studies but havent seen this one. I really need to get my levels up, fingers crossed the mix of pessaries and lubion does it!!xx
Thanks Scarlett, I think this is a really useful post! I struggled to conceive through several rounds of ivf when I'd managed to conceive naturally previously (although 4xmcs). My consultant prescribed intramuscular progesterone on top of pessaries for my last round and we are now 32 weeks pregnant. I think it's definitely something to explore before trying out more expensive diagnosis options e.g. ERA.
Congratulations. Can you remember what levels your Dr looked to see your progesterone at? Mine like it to be over 100 but I had read an article that says it should be between 70-99...
On lubion it was about 4 then on prontogest it was 93. My clinic said around 50 is ideal and anything over 100 is a waste and potentially even has dangers we don’t yet know about? X
That's interesting. I was on 1x Lubion + 2 x cyclogest on the 4/5 days prior to my FET. On day of transfer my p4 level was 89 so my Dr upped my.Lubion to 2 x daily + 4 x cyclogest daily! The highest they got to was 135 and then when my chemical was witnessed my p4 level had started to drop to 118.
So perhaps keeping it at 89 was fine! Argh just so many conflicting reports and no full evidence it's stressful
When I got pregnant, I started bleeding from 5 weeks to about 10 or 11 cant remember which. My fertility treatment doctor had given me pessaries but they seem not to be working. They did not believe in progesterone in oil shots. Luckily I moved to NYC gyaenacologist who prescribed progesterone in oil injections and the feeding literally tapered until it stopped completely. I stopped the injection at 12 weeks. I think it helped and I am glad that I had a gyaenacologist who believed that progesterone could help.
This is so helpful thank you and I'm. So glad your pregnancy is progressing well. I am planning for transfer 7 next month and I have prontogest this time after your advice. I have had 5 day blasts at all transfers and I suspect this could be the issue for me so fingers crossed it does make a difference. Can I ask..... Did you have one injection of prontogest each day?
Oh wow I’m so pleased to hear that you’re going for prontogest now!!! Have you ever had your levels tested before? And yes I had one injection each day xxx good luck! Lucky number 7 xxxxx
I have never had them tested but they have agreed to test during the cycle so that we can monitor this. I'll be on one a day too and I really hope this is the one xx
Thanks for sharing and hope all is going well in your pregnancy x did you ever have the pessaries and lubion at the same time? for our next cycle which is out first fet I'm on pessaries morning and evening like last time but then also lubion once every three days xx
Hiya, we had our levels checked (had to ask for this and pay £45) and as a result they increased lubion to 1 a day instead of once every three days and then cyclogest 2x a day still. Now holding out in the tww 🤞🤞 thank you for raising this! Xx
Tested and it's a BFP! Who knows whether it was this that done it but it certainly didnt hinder and i truly think it had a massive impact on recent results. Now just hoping it sticks! 🤞🤞 thank you so much! Xx
So did you have your levels checked the day before transfer? I’m going to speak to my clinic about this. Did you get the results the next day then? Just trying to work out the time scale xxxxxx
I’ve actually pushed to get mine tested this time around because of reading previous posts by yourself & Cinderella!
I’m really frustrated that although they’ve agreed, my dr has refused to rush the results so won’t be able to use it to adjust my current cycle if needed. They have said they’ll use it to influence the meds I take in my 4th cycle 🤦♀️ Because what’s another failed cycle between friends right?!
So I’m hoping to go private the day before my transfer but am struggling to find clinics that offer same day results.
Thanks for posting this, I think it’s hugely important to have as much knowledge as possible because some clinics (like mine!) work on an if you don’t ask you don’t get basis xx
I hope you can manage to get your levels tested elsewhere if your clinic refuses - have you offered to pay them to test you and they still refuse?! Xxx
Yep, they will test but have said the results will take several days and there’s no budging on it. So frustrating but at least we’ll know for next time, but like you said hopefully won’t need to.
So glad you’re at 19 weeks now, hopefully you’re finally getting to relax and enjoy it! Xx
My clinic offers same day results and will test progesterone levels as often as you want but you'll be paying £145 per test which adds up. PM me if you want my clinic details xx
This is great info, thankyou for sharing! Can i just ask did they not test your progesterone at all before your cycle started? We are due our first round next month and all they asked for was a print out from my gp as mine got tested a year ago. All was ok but maybe i should be tested again ? Congrats to all of you with pregnancies xx
No my progesterone was never tested until the day before my 8th transfer!!! I never had my natural levels tested either but I would ask your clinic to test your levels before transfer once you are taking progesterone support for your embryo x
I will now i know this just incase, wow i cant believe you were never tested! My clinic asked on consultation day and as i said my gp had done it a few times last one a year ago and always in the normal range she didnt see the need to do it again, especially as we have to pay, but to never had it tested is shocking! Glad you are sorted now x
Ny clinique just changed their procedures for FETs in natural cycle after summer due to a new Sweedish study showing better outcome using progesterone support the first 8 weeks. So while they earlier said that surely I could take progesterone, but it wouldn't make any difference, they tell us to use it. I've tried both Lutinus 100mg x3/day, once in fresh cycle and now last time with FET in natural, and Crinone 90mg x2/day when I had FET in stimulated cycle. Both are applied vaginally. Didn't like Crinone... And it didn't do its job either. But I am, as you, convinced that progesterone support has been the changing point in my case. My only BFP or faint positive I've had earlier (which I lost within the next week), has been with FET in natural cycles - without progesterone. I've been questioning my body's ability to react properly on the progesterone since for example I never have any breast tenderness or swelling before period or when using progesterone. I do get a muscle fatigue when progesterone levels reach certain point, though, and that's been riddling me for almost 8 weeks now. Yes, I got pregnant with the change of procedure, with progesterone supply in natural cycle! I can't help thinking, as many of you, that I would have been succeeding at an earlier point hadn't I listnened to my clinique and let aside the idea of using progesterone. But well, there is one thing you can never change, and that's the past. Now I try to rejoice over a 9w3d pregnancy! Still can't believe or trust 100% that I'm so lucky I will get through this with both me and the baby safe and sound, but trying ❤
This is so interesting. I’m going through a FET cycle and I emailed my clinic earlier this week as I was looking over my notes from my fresh cycle transfer last year and I’d started to spot/bleed in the second week of the 2WW. My total dosage of progesterone is lower this time by approx 45mg and I questioned them re: if this needs to change. The clinic said they would measure my progesterone levels on the day of the transfer and then change my dosage if necessary - but what I understand from this post is that a blood test on the day won’t be early enough and I should have it done a day before?
The test is a blood test and it took 24 hours to come back at my clinic. If you get tested on the day of transfer and it comes back as low you could get more progesterone in day one of your two week wait. I have no idea if that’s fine or too late so I guess you need to talk to your clinic about it to see what they think. I think the most important thing is starting and staying in the right progesterone if you have low levels and intra muscular injections are by far the best method from what I know x
Thanks for this! I’m seeing my clinic on Monday and will see if I can have the test earlier. I will be on utrogest (tablets) and crinone (gel) daily, and lentogest (injection) 3 times a week. Based on my experience last time, I don’t think I had enough progesterone so will push for that test. Thank you again for this 💛
Hi Scarlett13 congrats and thanks for this information. I wish Nhs allows testing a day before transfer that would be very good. I don’t know what I will be given as am not at that stage yet. It’s my partners sperm retrieval next week, fingers crossed xx.
Do you know if lentogest injection is ok? My twin sister is with a clinic in Greece and they said they can only prescribe lentogest Injection and measuring the levels a day before is not an accurate practise. I have told my sister to insist on measuring the levels even if she needs to pay for it.
I’ve never heard of lentogest I’m afraid? But if it’s intra muscular that’s the most effective way to administer progesterone. Good luck to both of you! Hope you get pregnant at the same time xxx
Thanks u Bluetop1981 , did lentogest work for you ? D clinic in Greece said they only prescribe lentogest and no longer prescribe prontogest. The only thing I have asked her to push for is ask to be tested a day before afterall she’s paying. I will have a look at d link now.
I have my FET tomorrow (🤞🏼) and so I’m hoping it’s working!
I asked my clinic for a blood test prior to transfer and they said they would test on the day with results available the next day. If I need more progesterone my husband would have to come pick it up - we live about 80 miles from my central London clinic so that’s not ideal! We’re hoping I can have the test early morning tomorrow, in which case results will be available the same day.
Thank you. They transferred 2 embryos (6BB+ and 6BB-) so just keeping fingers crossed now. My progesterone test results came back soon after my transfer and are only 33 - my clinic aim for 100 (they admit this is higher than most places). I’ve been prescribed cyclogest and an additional dosage of crinone with a follow up blood test on Wednesday to see if it’s doing the job. If not they’ll add Lubion to the mix (same day). I did ask if I could add Lubion now and she said no. I hope 3DP5DT isn’t too late but I’m telling myself they are the experts. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
I hope so too! I’m on lentogest IM injections 3 times a week, cyclogest suppositories 3 times a day, Utrogest orally 3 times a day and Crinone gel 3 times a day. Progesterone is going in almost every way possible! I hope it does the trick too 🤞🏼
Oh no i demanded to have progesterone injections this time instead of just pessaries and for my next cycle they've prescribe 1 x lubion an and 1 x pessary in the pm. I asked for a simple progesterone blood test and they saif they dont do it. Instead pretty much made me feel like i HAD to go for the endometrio for £1200 which would check if trasnfer is being on the correct day. Thats me going private with the nhs too! Deeply disappointed in how they are taking advantage of couple desperate for a positive fertility experience
I spoke to my clinic about this as we are getting ready for our 5th transfer, they said they used to do this but when audited they found some women with high progesterone levels didn’t get pregnant and others with low levels did get pregnant so they decided to stop testing. Not sure if it’s worth asking again or offering to pay. I spotted on pessaries with my first 2 transfers but since swapping to Lubion I haven’t had any spotting but sadly still BFNs xx
Well my clinic’s findings discovered that lubion was the least effective method of progesterone and I had that for 5 transfers - stopped spotting it when tested my levels were so low!! So I would still insist on paying to be tested based on my own experience. Good luck with your 5th transfer xxxx
Yes sorry was meant to say ‘but’ not ‘it’. I didn’t spot with lubion - only with pessaries did I bleed early - but my levels when tested on lubion were very low still x
I asked my clinic and they dont do prontogest anymore. I asked for a progesterone blood test and they said it was pointless, that it'd just prove I ovulated and they wouldn't treat me any differently if it was low. I'm getting frustrated with my clinic. I have literally no say in anything. What protocol I go on, how many embryos transfered or anything. I'm paying a small fortune yet I have zero say in decisions that affect me. I just don't know what to do anymore
That sounds really frustrating!!! My clinic didn’t test my progesterone levels for 6 transfers, despite me asking!! Then their research showed it was important so then they said they were testing everyone x
I just read an article that says p45 levels should remain between 70-99nm /olL for optimal live birth rates. My Dr likes it to remain 100+! The graph starts to decrease in success rates when progesterone is higher that 100. Has anyone else found this? What level are you being told to stay above? I thought higher levels wouldn't do any harm?!
Thanks for bringing this up Scarlett! My clinic checks the progesterone level on the day of transfer. I think the desired level is 60. My progesterone levels seem to fluctuate and I have been on both Lubion & pessaries and Pessaries & Prontogest. Unfortunately no success yet... x
During my ERA mock cycle that finished last week I was on one pessary(400mg) morning and evening and one injection of 25mg Lubion per day. My prog only reached 26 then.
My transfer in June when I got my first ever BFP (CP) I was on the same 2 pessaries and 1 Lubion but then my levels were fine according to the clinic.
The transfer before that I did 2 pessaries only but levels were low in their 20s and they asked me to do Prontogest intramuscular as an emergency...BFN.
Clinic has said I'm doing 2 pessaries and Prontogest daily next FET.
Crikey! What a nightmare! I'm hoping me doing 2x400mg pessaries and a lubion every other day might help me but maybe not! Bugger. Will soon see I guess!! Thanks for the info, all good to know!xx
I visited the clinic today for a scan and my consultant has changed his mind. He now wants me to start on 2 pessaries and 1 x Lubion and then on the day of transfer increase the Lubion to 2 per day. Reason is that you need to be on the same medication as when you did the ERA test
Well it’s gotta be the right progesterone level and a normal embryo at the same time so I guess that’s why it can take so long sometimes to hit the jack pot but keep persevering and staying positive xxx
I'm not sure what normal dose is but this time I'm on pessaries 3 times a day (ustrogesten) and lubion once a day. I'm worried about my progynova. Last time I was on 4 tablets a day and this time just 2 daily. Not sure what role progynova plays in ivf tbh
Many congrats on your pregnancy/ I’m hopefully going through an FET in dec so want to be armed with all the tests I can now having any regrets after. So thank you for your post highlighting the low progesterone issue - just to confirm i am going to ask the clinic if they check will check my progesterone the day before FET, what figure is ok to proceed with FET? I’ll just be on the 400mg suppositories once I start. If not I should ask for the prontogest supplement which is the injection?
Thank you! Obviously it depends on your clinic if they will test you, when they will test you and if they are prepared to put you on a different progesterone support...some clinics are up for this, others aren’t. My clinic refused to test me until their research proved it was needed for everyone and I was on transfer 7 by then. My clinic said 50 and over was an ideal level x
Thank you for clarifying - I will ask them soon to see what their view is on it - but I would be happy to pay for it as peace of mind knowing that that base is covered if it doesn’t work! All the best with the rest of your pregnancy. Xx
Thank you! I would def push for it. They tested me for free but wouldn’t retest me when I went onto intramuscular injections so I paid £35 for that peace of mind x
Hi Loopy, congratulations!!!! Good luck for the scan, most nerve wracking day of my life but also the best!! I took prontogest and pessaries until the 12 week scan then weaned off gradually to nothing by 13 weeks on my clinic’s advice but have no stats on successes with length of time on progesterone I’m afraid...get all your questions ready for your clinic!! I only ever got my levels tested the day before transfer and a few days after xxx
I only had mine checked once and it was the day before a frozen embryo transfer so I’m not sure about when doing a fresh round. Ps only just seen this message!! Sorry!! Good luck xx
Heya, I had my transfer this afternoon and I was on 3 x Lubion + 4 x cyclogest daily! They did bloods today and progesterone was only 91 they want it above 100. So prescribed me prontogest 100ml + 3 x cyclogest daily starting tomorrow. No more Lubion. Do you think 1 x 100ml injection is enough? Got another blood test on Monday 2 hours street prontogest injection. I'm really nervous about these painful shots
I only did prontogest once a day. My clinic wanted my levels above 30, ideally above 50, but under 100. I got to 93. Funny how they all have different opinions?! Good luck!!!!!!
Yes he is. This is the first time he's done anything like this because I'm a control freak haha not sure I'd have the guts to jab myself to be honest!
I was itchy for about a minute or two afterwards and now I have a lump. I tried rubbing it and using a heat pack on it. It's hurting now. It'll all be worth it though if it actually gets me a baby! Hope your pregnancy is going well xx
This is a very helpful thread! I had a FET on Tuesday and forgot to ask then as was a bit frazzled due to schedule changes. I called Wednesday morning and they advised me to come in. I was so glad I did as the results came back as 9 and they look for over 50. So rushed me back to add 2x Lubion that day. They said I hadn’t missed the window of opportunity so 🤞 that is true... still kicking myself for not remembering Tuesday but can’t go back in time. I went back today to make sure Lubion had worked and my body seems to love it... 145! They were happy with this and said that you can have too little but can’t have too much so yet another opinion on optimal levels!
Well done on asking, going back in, having your levels tested, finding out they’re too low, increasing your progesterone, and having your levels rise! Amazing!!! And unlike mine, I’m glad your body has responded well to the Lubion. Good luck with your 2ww, I have everything crossed for you and I’m sooooo pleased you got your progesterone sorted xxxx
Hi I'm concerned about this I have had 3 top grade blastcysts transferred but they didnt feel I need to have progesterone tested. I'm on 6 pessaries a day and progesterone injection a day I hope this is enough 😏😏😏
My clinic wouldn’t test on the day before transfer, so I’m using Lubion and pessaries and have tested my own levels, online using medichecks. My clinic doesn’t prescribe the IM injections so I think I’ll have to up my pessaries if it is low. I’m currently on one three times a day. Xx
I had them done with the clinic, 3 days before egg collection and they were <5 which is hardly surprising as I was down regulated and not on progesterone 🙄. But I was worried that my levels wouldn’t get up to >50 or even better >100 with only 5 days of pessaries so I asked for the lubion. Which they agreed to, but I feel a little bit let down as they didn’t seem to understand my concerns. They just didn’t really feel I needed the lubion but were happy for me to be prescribed it. My logic is with heavy down regulation surely I need more progesterone? Your post have really helped bring this to my attention! So thank you! I tested with medichecks yesterday which was a day before transfer, so results will be back on Monday or Tuesday now. Fingers crossed!! X
Hi how did you get on with medichecks? I used it with my last cycle as my clinic wouldn’t test my progesterone, it came back as 25.2 (that was on cyclogest pessaries and lubion injections) I was pregnant but unfortunately miscarried my nhs clinic would discuss my results or retest my progesterone, I have moved to a different nhs clinic but they also say it’s not necessary very frustrating thanks
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I've never given up hope so quickly! 😔🤦♀️
Progesterone low after FET
Second failed implantation transfer today and looking for experiences of next steps...
Low progesterone 
