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Endo & Infertility

by Kayla
(USA)

Hello! I was diagnosed with Stage IV endo in August 2009 following a laparotomy. I have been trying to get pregnant since April 2010 and have not been able to. I've done multiple IUIs and one IVF, all failed. Since my husband and I are unsure if we will try IVF again I asked my OBGYN about my options for treating the endo. He suggested birth control, which I initially agreed to. Now I find that I just cannot make myself take it as I still want to become pregnant. I see you recommend 500mg per day for endo and have a few questions. Despite having severe endo I have minimal pain, should I still use 500mg per day? I'm trying to figure out how much of the cream would equal 500mg. Is it 5tsp? Also, since I wish to become pregnant would it be best to start using the cream on day 12 of my cycle? My cycle is usually 28 days with LH surge first detected on day 14. Thanks!

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Sep 08, 2012
 Endo & Infertility
by: Wray

Hi Kayla I'm relieved you've not opted for a Contraceptive, they often do more harm than good. It's a typical resource, as it stops or slows the ovarian production of hormones. With little oestrogen and testosterone being produced it can help. But at what cost, as many stop ovulation too, which stops all ovarian production of progesterone, and of course no chance of falling pregnant. I only suggest the 500mg/day progesterone if severe pain is felt, it is a potent anti-inflammatory. I would suggest you try 200mg/day and see if that helps you. But please be aware Endometriosis is caused by oxidative stress, so large amounts of antioxidants are needed too, progesterone alone won't reverse the problem. The page lists the nutrients which help. The oxidative stress causes inflammation, oestrogen exacerbates this, as it's an excitatory, inflammatory hormone. Plus it stimulates cells to proliferate so compounding the problem. It depends on which cream you are going to use as to how much progesterone it contains. Most are 1.6% in strength, which means each ml contains 16mg progesterone. The container would give the total weight as 960mg progesterone, assuming it's the standard 60ml (2oz) container. If they don't give the strength, but the amount in the container is given in g or ml, divide this by 60ml or however much cream is in the tub/tube, and you'll have the amount per ml. I treat ml and g as the same, there is very little difference in the two. 1tsp = 5ml. We do have more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. You could try following your cycle first and see how you get on. I do often recommend using it daily to get progesterone levels up and suppress any excess oestrogen. If you should experience any Oestrogen Dominance, please increase the progesterone. Ironically decreasing it will help, as the progesterone is no longer stimulating oestrogen, but this defeats the purpose. We do have a page on Pregnancy, and here's another. It explains about the 50 hour pre-ovulatory surge of progesterone, so starting on day 12 would be perfect for you. This surge is essential to ensure an early rise in progesterone. Too late leads to a failed implantation. Continued below.
Sep 08, 2012
 Endo & Infertility part 2
by: Wray

Hi Kayla Please have a vitamin D test done, it's also a potent anti-inflammatory, but essential for ovulation, a successful pregnancy, the growth of the foetus, and after birth during breast feeding. There are some excellent videos about this on the pregnancy page. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. We do have a page on Infertility you might find of help. Please don't be discouraged if you don't fall pregnant soon. No embryo will embed in an inflamed uterus, it needs to heal first, and this takes time. Take care Wray

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