Low Progesterone Level - Do I Have to Go to a REI (Reproductive Endocrinologist)

That's weird that you got referred to a REI right away. I did have low progesterone levels about a year ago and what I did was take Vitex supplements 2x/day and royal jelly a tsp in the am and pm, by the time I got checked for my progesterone levels and everything else, which was about 5 months later, I tested fine. I suggest you do your research in homeopathic alternatives to balance your hormones and go to a different OB this time to get checked. It'll take a while for your hormones to get where they need to be. A really great way to check your progress is to chart your cycle using the Fertility Awareness Method. This is how I knew my progesterone levels where not where they needed to be. Basically if your luteul phase is less than 10 days, then yeah your progesterone levels aren't enough to keep the fertilized egg and you'll miscarry. So suggest charting cycles (temp every morning and tracking your menses) and also take Vitex and royal jelly. If this doesn't work, go to a new OB and ask what method they use for women w/low progesterone levels. Suppositories or progesterone shots appear to be the norm. Good luck.

Progesterone is given to treat what is referred to as a luteal phase defect. According to my ob (and several articles I've read on the subject), there is no real way to test for this condition, but it is something that many reproductive endocrinologists and ob's believe causes some types of miscarriages. The belief is that extra progesterone will improve your chances of carrying the pregnancy before the placenta takes over the job of nourishing the baby, at which point, it's no longer necessary to have extra progesterone. Again, according to my ob and several articles I've read on the subject, the question at hand is how to determine whether or not someone can be said to have low progesterone because there is not a common value across the board. In other words, for one woman, it may be necessary to have 0.2 (to use your numbers) to sustain a pregnancy. For another woman, it may need to be 15. So without knowing what your level needs to be, it would be hard to say what is or isn't low for you. If that makes sense.

This all came up following a recent miscarriage because I was concerned that maybe it was a progesterone issue. I was actually prescribed suppositories for my first two pregnancies after an initial miscarriage and wondered if I should have been on them this time. That's when he told me how inconclusive the whole subject was, that many doctors do it to give peace of mind (and in fact, he would be willing to try it if it made me feel better). So it's not that he's dismissing it; he respects the research, but he doesn't see any definite evidence that it helps. It may be worth it to see a reproductive endocrinologist just to get some additional input and peace of mind for yourself.

Actually from what I've read, low progesterone does in fact cause miscarriages. Most OB's I know believe in supplemental progesterone, mine does, so maybe a new doc is in order. I agree too with Vitex, it helps alot (and its very inexpensive too) Good luck!

I had a miscarriage inbetwwen my 2 girls. With my 3rd pregnancy, the doctor tested me, bc I had such a hard ime conceiving. MY levels were low and that is what she believed to have caused my mc last time, so she gave me the supositories and it worked. Maybe a new doctor would be able to help? Good luck!

Yes, low progesterone does cause miscarriage. That's very strange that your OB told you this. When I was pregnant the first time my doctor told me the only known cause of miscarriage that can be helped is low progesterone. Maybe find another OB or go see the specialist your doctor referred you to.

Take one baby aspirin everyday. God bless you.