Why am I spotting on much higher progesterone dose?

[Minniemouse88]

Hi everyone,

I hope those of you in 2ww are holding up. Just wondered if anyone has had similar experiences and can offer some hope or ideas on what I can ask clinic....

I'm on my fourth FET, day 7 post transfer and the last ended in a chemical. I don't know what is going wrong this time because I'm on far more progesterone than I ever have been 2 x cyclogest and 1 x lubion) but have been spotting since day 3 post transfer. I thought it could be implantation at first but it's just kept going.

I phoned clinic and they said they weren't sure. Said I could add in another pessary, but feels a bit late for that.

It's all feeling too much for me now. All these failures and no explanations are wearing me down.

Sorry for the negativity just having a very low day. Test day is Monday and just need a bit of strength to get through.

Xxx

[Skittles11]

Hey lovely I understand the anxiety and have had spotting on two week waits as well, I know it's stressful to see. It's difficult to say the cause and because of that it's difficult to know what to do. I've never had implantation bleeding so don't know how long that can last, but maybe it can be a few days long?

Did your clinic test your progesterone at any time through the FET or did they just up the progesterone to include the lubion to cover that base?

Xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Skittles11]

Hello again,

So nice of you to respond. It's now bright red, so I think I may be out.

Frustratingly, when I asked about testing my consultant is of the opinion that there's no evidence for testing progesterone levels, so it's just the standard mantra of " you can never have too much progesterone" and up the dose each time. I'm still NHS funded so don't have much say in the matter. What puzzles me is that in previous transfers I've been on lower doses and had no spotting.

I've accepted I'll just have to wait until Monday. Just was having a mini tww anxiety meltdown earlier. (Doesn't help that I've had to attend a big family event today with a few tiny babies and small children).

Going to settle down with a film and try and appreciate it the benefits of not having children.

Thank you so much for your reliable response.

I hope all is going well with you. Xxx

[Eloquentia in reply to Minniemouse88]

Hi! I am sorry to hear about the spotting. Having bright red blood in the TWW may strongly point towards low progesterone, so I'd insist that your clinic tests you if you need another round. We are NHS funded too and even though our clinic doesn't do routine progesterone tests, we insisted and I think this made the difference. My progesterone was on the low side on the day of our first FET, which failed, despite them doubling my progesterone after the transfer. For the second FET, I insisted they test me two days before and on the day of the transfer - on the low side both times and actually lower on transfer day, so I ended up with quadrupled progesterone dose. That transfer worked, currently pregnant and I think the progesterone made the difference for me. Very best of luck!

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Eloquentia]

Thank you. I'm definitely planning on having that discussion xx

[Twiglet2]

I’m so sorry 😢 have you taken a pregnancy test? I have had this with both positive and negatives and for me it’s been low progesterone, a chemical pregnancy and a pregnancy with hematoma and I found testing helpful to figure out which one. They may want to add in extra lubion injection next time morning and night as it may be you dont absorb the pessaries well (how my clinic explained it) I’ve not bled in 2ww since they did that xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you. I haven't taken a pregnancy test just because I knew that either way, it would just make me worry! As much as I was tempted. I may, as you say, look at another lubion next time. Thank you for being so helpful xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Minniemouse88]

Completely agree with upping progesterone. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Progesterone was one of the things I was lacking. Hugs.xxx

[Hidden]

Sorry you are going through this hard time. I learned from having a miscarraige that even though I was on the highest dose progesterone its not enough if your own bodys progesterone downstairs naturally rise from being pregnant. The clinics can only give us extra progesterone to help aid what our body needs to do. However the spotting you are experiencing could be prolonged implantation bleeding, especially if its not turned into a full bleed. Fingers crossed for you x

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I have wondered if it was a drop in overall progesterone due to non- pregnancy. Thank you for your best wishes xx

[Lana2009]

hiya, I bleed a lot in my successful transfer. First was implantation bleeding the other was due to progesterone, it can irritate your cervix and cause bleeding! I wouldn’t count yourself out until you’ve tested.

Only 1 more sleep. Wishing you all the sticky luck!

Xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Lana2009]

Thank you 💕xx

[Ladycoco20]

hi , I’m in a similar situation.. had bfp from 7dpt but no real progression & today 11dpt I’m spotting & feeling unwell . I’m on loads more progesterone also 😑 think it’s heading towards a chemical got to wait till Wednesday for my beta .

Sending you strength & hope lovely … have you done a hpt ?

Xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Ladycoco20]

Oh good luck for Wednesday. Hope it's just a bit of implantation spotting for you! 🤞 Sending you lots of love and hope too. I haven't done a test at home just because I think it might make me more anxious. Take care xx❤️

[Ladycoco20 in reply to Minniemouse88]

Thank you 🙏🏽 you too ! Come on babies stay with us 🤍🤍xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Ladycoco20]

Awww no, I'm so sorry. Massive hugs.xxx

[Rcs11]

spotting could be so many reasons. I had loads last round (successful!) then loads in early pregnancy (couldn’t believe the heartbeat was there at 6-7 week scan). Then I had a bleed at 39 weeks…turns out I have a large ectropian (like a graze, common) on my cervix very sensitive to bleeding. High progesterone means cervix can be a bit swollen. Bigfatnegative on insta did a great 2WW live a week ago which touched on bleeding in 2WW. Good luck xx

[Minniemouse88]

Thank you for all your support everyone. Just an update that sadly, it was a negative again for me today.😢 We've been advised to go for recurrent implementation failure tests so hoping that offers some possible reasons after four failed blastocysts. Spotting is such an ambiguous sign and I'm sure it can be both positive and negative.

Sending love and thanks for your support ❤️ xx

[HedgehogMad in reply to Minniemouse88]

So sorry to hear this 💔 I understand your pain and you are not alone. Sending love and if you want a chat then feel free to send me a PM. I'm where you are but two transfers along xxx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to HedgehogMad]

Thank you, such comforting words and very kind. Sending lots of hope and love back your way 💞 xx

[Skittles11 in reply to Minniemouse88]

Very sorry to learn of your result. Please take good care and have some well deserved treats, some wine or gin and tonic or maybe some soft cheeses. The recurrent implantation tests sound like a worthy idea in this situation and maybe they will paint a fuller picture which could help you moving forwards. Sending thoughts and comfort xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Skittles11]

Hi Skittles, Thank you for the supportive message - always lovely to hear from you. Soft cheese definitely on the menu tonight and a short holiday on the horizon. The longer this goes in the more forward planning I do for test day treats. Sending lots of love and hope your way. Thank you xx