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Can Progesterone cause early miscarriage?

by Raakhi
(South Africa)

I am 29 years old and my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for the last six months. A homeopath told me about 6 years ago that he thought I was progesterone deficient, but didn't do any test.

In month three and month 6 of trying to fall pregnant my period was late, which I never am. I have a 25 day like clock work cycle. So I was late for 4 days (both times) and then my period came on. I did a home pregnancy test both times and both times it was negative. Could this be a sign of progesterone deficency? Was I pregnant at those two times and could not hold it as I do not have the progesterone the fetus needs to stay in place? Can someone help explain please?

Comments for Can Progesterone cause early miscarriage?

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Sep 25, 2009
 Can Progesterone cause early miscarriage?
by: Wray

Hi Raakhi. It is possible you were pregnant both times and due to low progesterone lost the embryo. I would suggest you do the questionnaire we have on our site, to see if you do need progesterone. The questionnaire can be accessed in the right margin of this page.

A home pregnancy test is not very accurate, as the level of hGC has to be above 20mIU/ml to be detected. Blood tests can detect hCG from as low as 1mIU/ml, a few days after conception. Urine tests are less sensitive and detection starts at about 20mIU/ml. As this level in many women is not reached until 5 weeks from the last period, or 3 weeks from conception, a negative reading will show if taken too early. Some home kits can only detect hCG when levels are over 100mIU/ml. Please will you look at this web page on pregnancy, it explains the role progesterone plays and how to use it. Take care.
Sep 27, 2009
 how does a physician test for deficiency?
by: Raakhi

Thank you very much for your response and for confirming my suspicions. I am going to see my GP tomorrow to explain this stuff to him and ask for him to test for the deficiency. I would like to know what the most efficent way for testing is. I have done your online quesitonaire and scored a 51 but if my GP is not up to date in the progesterone deficiency testing methods I would like to have some info for him.

Again, thank you very much for all your help and support.
Sep 29, 2009
 Can Progesterone cause early miscarriage?
by: Wray

Hi Raakhi. Saliva tests are the most accurate method, but they are not done in South Africa, only blood tests. Quite frankly I prefer to go by symptoms rather than tests, these can only tell how much progesterone is in the system, not how we're feeling. 51 is a high score and certainly warrants trying progesterone.

There's another problem, if the test is done while you're not pregnant, it's not going to show if you are making insufficient whilst pregnant. The length of your luteal phase is critical too, it should be no shorter than 12 days, preferably 14 days. You say you have a 25 day cycle, this would mean you ovulate around day 11, is this correct? I would suggest you get a mini microscope, as it takes the guessing out of when you ovulate. Take care.
Apr 18, 2010
 Progesterone is Low
by: Anonymous

I test low during my pregnancy and lost the baby the doctor did give me pills but I guess it did not work because I was already pregnant, This happened on April 5, 2010.
Apr 22, 2010
 Progesterone is Low
by: Wray

I'm sorry to hear you lost the baby, it's a pity you weren't given progesterone before you fell pregnant. Please see this web page. It gives information on pregnancy and how to use progesterone. It's always best to start using it before falling pregnant to give the body time to adjust to it. Take care, Wray
Jun 13, 2011
 m/c with progesterone
by: Anonymous

I have just had my second m/c this year both times i was using progesterone cream, both times i only made it to 6 weeks, what am i doing wrong?

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