DISCLAIMER: The following post is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about fertility.
If you’re new to the fertility world, there’s definitely a lot of information to navigate. It’s normal to be curious about this new path that you’re on; it’s normal to feel uneasy with what’s unknown about it and to have the desire to be as knowledgeable as possible. This is where local community resources come into play–to support you and educate you at the same time.
Our friends from Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health are here to support you on your fertility journey. You might have caught their Fertility Friday series over on our IG page–quick videos to answer common questions and provide information. Below, they’re sharing a quick look into progesterone, and what your levels might mean.
What should I know about my progesterone levels?
Monitoring progesterone levels is common practice in our office at Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health. Patients are often wondering, is my progesterone low? Are my levels a concern? Does my progesterone level need to be checked? And, what does my progesterone level mean?
Progesterone is an important hormone and is monitored closely in our office. Monitoring progesterone gives some insight into two key variables.
To confirm ovulation.
For some treatment cycles, such as timed intercourse or insemination, a patient’s progesterone level will let us know if they most likely ovulated based on a certain range, and when the levels are checked at the appropriate time.
To know if it’s ideal for implantation and pregnancy.
Progesterone can be useful in helping with implantation, and possibly lowering the risk of miscarriage. Although the data varies, we still err on the side of caution. Even if a patient’s progesterone levels look great, we know that it’s not a guarantee for a successful cycle–but it is treated conservatively if it is below a recommended level.
If the level is lower than preferred, we can offer supplementation. Supplementation is often in the form of vaginal suppositories but can also be oral or via intramuscular injection. The type, amount, and route of administration can vary per patient and their individual results and treatment plan.
It’s also important to note that the level of progesterone does fluctuate and change during the cycle, so it needs to be checked at the appropriate time to know if it’s within the correct range, based on where the patient is in their cycle. For example, when we are early in our cycle and menstruating, the progesterone level should be lower. Post-ovulation, the level should change or increase over a certain threshold.
What if ovulation is induced?
After inducing ovulation with certain medications and treatment cycles, we check progesterone levels about a week or so after we believe ovulation occurred. We’re hopeful that the level confirms ovulation, but we are also are checking to see if the level is in a range we feel is optimal. If the level is lower than our preferred range, again, we’ll offer additional support if necessary.
What about for IVF and embryo transfers?
Progesterone levels are also monitored for patients going through IVF, a frozen embryo transfer, or a natural transfer. We monitor these levels throughout the cycle to ensure proper timing and optimal success rates. We typically add some progesterone support at the appropriate time for most of these treatment options; the amount and type vary based on each of these different treatment plans.
Navigating infertility is not something you need to do alone. Remember that you are not the only one feeling unsure or worried–and remember that we are here to support you however we can!
