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What Causes Infertility Having High Progesterone Levels?
I am 30 years old and trying to conceive our 2nd child. Our first child is now 8 years old (same father). This cycle, I did 100 mg of Clomid on days 5-9 and went for the progesterone test on Day 22. On Day 23, I got a positive Ovulation Predictor Kit result along with ovarian pain and tenderness. The bloodwork results (from a draw on Day 22) showed that I did not ovulate. I am not surprised as I believe I ovulated on Day 24 or so. I am now on Day 29. My doctor's office did not mention having my progesterone levels tested again but are sending me to a reproductive endocrinologist on a referral. I truly believe I ovulated around Day 24. My average cycle is around 38 days, which would mean a luteal phase of 14 days. Could I be pregnant or does the negative results on the bloodwork (taken before I believe I ovulated) indicate otherwise?
Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Hello, and I hope I can clarify this for you.
You are absolutely correct in the fact that the length of your cycle is related to when you ovulate... and your ovulation date is 14 days back from when you got your period, rather than counting 14 days from the start of your period. It is typical for most women to have a 14 day luteal phase, as you suggested. You absolutely may ovulate later in your cycle. I do not know how long you and your partner have tried to conceive before trying Clomid. I would not recommend trying Clomid at all unless you have tried for a year (meaning unprotected sex at least 2-3 times per week) and not become pregnant.
A reproductive endocrinologist is an appropriate referral if you have a history of infertility for one year, and if you fail at least 3 cycles of Clomid. They can prescribe Clomid and combine it with intrauterine insemination, which can increase the success rate. Even though you may have had a child together before, there can be an issue with the male partner too, and it would be advisable he get his sperm count evaluated.
But you can still have conceived this cycle if you ovulated on the clomid, and continued to have unprotected sex at least a week after your ovultion kit showed positive. Your progesterone level pre-ovulation is not relevant at all.
So- if you don't get a period by day 35 or so, do a pregnancy test. And if you didn't conceive this cycle, a reproductive endocrinologist might be a better choice to manage your Clomid.
I hope this answered your question, and best of luck in getting pregnant.
Take care, Dr. Brown
You are absolutely correct in the fact that the length of your cycle is related to when you ovulate... and your ovulation date is 14 days back from when you got your period, rather than counting 14 days from the start of your period. It is typical for most women to have a 14 day luteal phase, as you suggested. You absolutely may ovulate later in your cycle. I do not know how long you and your partner have tried to conceive before trying Clomid. I would not recommend trying Clomid at all unless you have tried for a year (meaning unprotected sex at least 2-3 times per week) and not become pregnant.
A reproductive endocrinologist is an appropriate referral if you have a history of infertility for one year, and if you fail at least 3 cycles of Clomid. They can prescribe Clomid and combine it with intrauterine insemination, which can increase the success rate. Even though you may have had a child together before, there can be an issue with the male partner too, and it would be advisable he get his sperm count evaluated.
But you can still have conceived this cycle if you ovulated on the clomid, and continued to have unprotected sex at least a week after your ovultion kit showed positive. Your progesterone level pre-ovulation is not relevant at all.
So- if you don't get a period by day 35 or so, do a pregnancy test. And if you didn't conceive this cycle, a reproductive endocrinologist might be a better choice to manage your Clomid.
I hope this answered your question, and best of luck in getting pregnant.
Take care, Dr. Brown
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