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How much progesterone during pregnancy?

Hi Wray-

I'm 36 and I've had two early miscarriages in the last couple years (after one live birth) and due to saliva hormone tests, reading, etc. (also was on the pill for 15 years prior!) I have come to the conclusion that it was probably low progesterone. So when I just found out a few days before my period was due that I was pregnant, I went to my doctor and asked for a progesterone prescription. He was leary because his motto is "if it's meant to make it, it will". I personally prefer to do everything I can to help it! So he gave me a presc. for suppositories of 25mg 3x/day (75mg/day total). The day after I started on them, I started spotting and then some watery blood came out. Normally my period is pretty clotty (TMI, sorry). So I took my next supp. and it stopped. Now I'm having on and off spotting. I'm wondering if my dose of prog. is high enough or if I'm taking just enough to wake up my estrogen receptors and be in a state of estrogen dominance? Which I don't want, in order to keep this pregnancy! Should I just start taking more suppositories per day? Should I wait it out and if I start really bleeding, then take more? I bought some cream, should I add that in to what I'm already taking? Help please!

Comments for How much progesterone during pregnancy?

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Oct 01, 2012
 Progesterone during pregnancy
by: Caterina

Hello,

I too am 36 and have had three miscarriages. I was on 100mg. vaginal suppositories with the last one. I think seeking out progesterone therapy and starting them as soon as possible is great. I know there are no guarantees but doing everything possible to keep this little one is all you can do. I would suggest getting your progesterone checked at least every other week to make sure you're getting enough. That said, I think you may want to take a higher dose. I know Wray recommends a 100-200mg. dose as a daily dose for non-pregnant women. With pregnancy we require and make large amounts. But if you're like me and normally running low, then a good dose each day is needed to sustain the pregnancy.

I too was on birth control pills on and off throughout my twenties and I read that birth control pills actually shut down the ovaries. Which would make sense that now in my thirties I'm having trouble with sustaining normal progesterone levels. I still am trusting in the Lord for my Rainbow baby. I encouraged you to not lose hope!

Blessings
Oct 04, 2012
 How much progesterone during pregnancy?
by: Wray

Hi there I understand where your doctor is coming from. But more often than not, low progesterone is the cause of a miscarriage. Which is often the result of stress, this drops progesterone levels. So if using progesterone helps the stress, as it's very calming, plus saves having a miscarriage, I'm all for it! Normally 200-600mg/day is given for recurrent miscarriages, so the 75mg/day you're using is too low. There's info on our Pregnancy page, and more here too. The spotting is caused by the progesterone stimulating oestrogen, so definitely more is needed. I'm pleased he gave you the suppositories for more than once a day, as this is essential. Progesterone drops after about 13 hours. The progesterone cream can be used concurrently too. I'm not sure how strong the cream is you've bought, but please make sure you use enough. The pregnancy page explains how to use it. Take care Wray
Oct 05, 2012
 Progesterone during pregnancy
by: Wray

Hi Caterina We all need words of encouragement, it isn't an easy journey as you know yourself. Coming from someone who is also struggling, makes it doubly blessed. Take care Wray
Oct 09, 2012
 Me again...
by: Anonymous

Yes, thank you Catarina, I really appreciate your comment and good luck to you, too.

Wray,

do you (and Dr. Dalton) recommend using just the cream for miscarriage prevention? Is it possible to use enough to overcome estrogen dominance symptoms(400-600mg/day)? I've gotten to the point of using about 100mg of the suppositories every 4-6 hours (because the symptoms seem to start up after that long) and I've still got light bleeding. Also, I just refilled my prescription and since using the first dose of the new ones it seems like it's not working so I don't even know if something went wrong with this batch, because I seem to be bleeding more starting only since this new batch today. If this one isn't meant to be, then it isn't, but I don't want to mess it up because of using the wrong form of progesterone, or a faulty batch!
Thank you so much for your help!
Oct 12, 2012
 Me again...
by: Wray

Hi there Oh no, I'm so sorry, I forgot to ask you to have a vitamin D test done. A lack of this also causes miscarriages, see here, here and here. I suspect it's because a low level of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone. Apart from that, vitamin D is vital for ovulation, conception, the growth of the foetus and during lactation. I gave you the pregnancy page, but forgot to ask you to look at the videos at then end of it. The two doctors go into it's importance during foetal growth and breast feeding. There is info on the page about getting a test done. The 400-600mg/day is excellent, but I'm concerned you say they don't seem to be working well. It could be because you've increased the amount, it's now stimulating oestrogen again, and would need a few days for this to disappear. I hope so, do let me know. Take care Wray

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