Too much progesterone

[VeeBee83]

I'm currently 11dp5dt and I've got a lot of, what I hope are, side effects from the progesterone. In previous transfers I've not had my prog levels tested, but have felt the prog level drop off (you know how your hormones make you feel). Prior to transfer I was on 3x 400mg cyclogest a day. On the day of transfer I had a cyclogest at 6am and a blood test at 1045am for my prog level (after the transfer) and it came back at 30, the clinic wanted it to be 70 so told me to take 1x 100mg prometrium tablet (oral) at night. One breakdown and a few days later I went for another prog blood test, I had the cyclogest at 6am and the blood test at 730am. The clinic were pretty happy my level had gone up to 60. I raised concerns with the nurse that the test may have been biased because it was only 1.5hrs after the medication vs almost 5 hours. She said the Dr would contact me if he thought I needed to take more, and quote "he might say take a tablet in the morning as well", however as it was a Friday afternoon I heard neither hide nor hair from him. So... after talking with my sister who is also ivf, and she talked to all her ivf friends, it was collectively decided I should take an extra pill, and I have been. I've never had this much progesterone or strong side effects before and I'm worried I've caused myself harm!! The side effect I'm worried about the most is a constant ache in my abdomen, which has been there since transfer, and a more painful ache in my right groin which comes and goes. I can't wear pants that are tight around my stomach without it feeling worse. It could be OHSS or anything really, I remember my groin hurting like this when I did my first ever egg collection so that could be it. I've done a bit of reading on progesterone and there seems to be differing medical opinions on whether you can have too much or not. Some research says you can't have too much and it's not dangerous, other research says too much can be risky for your health AND the baby. Does anyone know?? My blood test is on Monday (I haven't peed on a stick, I haven't even thought about it this time) and I'm dreading having to own up to my Dr about taking an extra tablet haha. Any advice on progesterone levels / side effects / harm etc would be appreciated. Thanks xx

[Daisy-Delilah]

Hello, sorry to hear you are having these pains. I’m not sure what they are but I’ve always been told you can’t take too much progesterone. My nurse always said to me if you can’t remember if youve taken it, just take another one, so I often take three as I can’t remember 😂🙈

Also my progesterone was 245 before transfer which I think is high, after my BFP I had some spotting and so the doctor asked me to take lubion as well as cyclogest so my progesterone must be even higher now!? 🤷‍♀️

So from everything I’ve heard it’s better to have more than less protesterone and so I wouldn’t worry at all about an extra pessary.

Also at this time your body is going through all sorts of things and so hopefully it’s your body just preparing for your baby growing 🤞🏻💕

Good luck for OTD 🤞🏻💕 xxx

[VeeBee83 in reply to Daisy-Delilah]

Thank you!! I know it's bad to read Dr Google but I just can't help myself sometimes. Thank you for sharing your levels, that definitely made me feel better it's strange how it varies from person to person. Thank you so much. Wishing you the best xx

[Chel91]

You can't really take too much progesterone. Generally the more the better! It shouldn't cause tummy pain. Definitely let them know about the pain though! Maybe you have a little infection or something they can help with. Hope you feel better soon xx

[VeeBee83 in reply to Chel91]

Thank you, I'll let the clinic know on Monday. As long as I'm not hurting anyone with the extra tablet thanks for your advice xxx

[Twiglet2]

as others have said you can’t take too much I was on tablets and injections. The key thing now is to keep it up now at the level you have got going so as not to cause a drop. I think I would also take a pregnancy test though and see if you have a BFP this time if you are worried about OHSS as rising HCG can make this worse and you might need some help from the clinic with it if it’s still as sore this long after egg collection and not getting better. I’m hoping you feel better soon and it’s for all the good reasons you are feeling things going on in there 💜 xx

[Notourfirstrodeo]

Hi 👋 progesterone suppositories didn't work for me at all they never tested my levels but I knew something was off every time. They switched me to Prontogest injections 1 every 2 days and both cycles after I've managed to get pregnant. The inics have advised me that you can never have too much progesterone whilst the side effects can be uncomfortable low progesterone breaks down your lining (that's what I've been told previously) good luck. I'm currently 12W 6D with our 11th embryo transfer still taking the higher dose and I can say in the TWW the side effects of higher progesterone sounded similar to yours. Xx

[Positivechangeplease]

11days past 5 day transfer is definitely surely time to take a pregnancy test. As others have said it’s a good hormone and you can’t really take too much of it. Cramps can happen with taking the drugs but it could also be signs of pregnancy so I think it’s time to take a test now. 🤞

[MarshmellowMountain]

I feel like I took loads of progesterone - 6x utrogestan a day, prontogest every two days, and I even slipped in a cyclogest every 2-3 days too (not prescribed) but I felt like my progesterone levels is what was causing me the failures as my period always started before the Tww ended. It was fine for me! Currently 21w+2 😊