Progesterone: Should You Take Progesterone if You Are Trying to Conceive?

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, explains whether or not you should take progesterone while you are trying to conceive. So often patients are given misinformation about progesterone which can negatively impact your chances of conceiving. Who needs supplementation? When do they need it?

Questions Answered:
How does a normal cycle work?
What happens in the luteal phase?
How do you test for progesterone?
What does the number tell you?
What should progesterone be when you’re pregnant?
What is the connection between progesterone levels and miscarriage?When is the right time to supplement progesterone?
What type of progesterone should be used for recurrent pregnancy loss?What other supplements can impact your fertility?
What red flags should you look out for?

Progesterone videos:
Does progesterone prevent miscarrige?

Understanding Progesterone and Ovulation

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Fertility doctor, Natalie Crawford, MD is a double board certified OBGYN and REI, and co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas.

COME SAY HI!!!

FORA FERTILITY:
715 W 34th Street, Austin, TX 78705

Listen to the AS A WOMAN PODCAST here:
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#fertility #fertilitydoctor #nataliecrawfordmd #doctor #asawoman

Sharing fertility facts to educate women about trying to conceive, getting pregnant, ovulation, fertility treatments, IUI, IVF, becoming a doctor, life as a woman in medicine, and more.

[kristenhoogstraten]

After many years of unexplained infertility we discovered that my progesterone was increasing prematurely (due to a breakdown in the adrenal steroidogenesis biosynthesis pathway) therefore closing my implantation window and not allowing my embryo to implant despite great endometrial lining and estrogen levels. My protocol was then changed to include a steroid for a few weeks prior to my FET and I had my first positive pregnancy test ever! Just sharing this to demonstrate the significance of progesterone being introduced at the right time as you mentioned here and in hopes that it might help others! ❤

[slydr]

From a physician-scientist who has expertise in this area: Very well done and packed with information! Thanks for doing such a good job at spreading evidence-based information on progesterone and how it is regulated! 👍💥

[chelseanfoust]

Could you do a video breaking down the day 3 and day 21 labs in fertility testing?

[SonicDruid]

Dear Dr…please do an episode on PMDD 🙏🙏🙏 We need updated and current info on how to treat this condition!!!

[VegGirl]

Will you do a video on vitex and even for short luteal phase or progesterone deficiency in the late days of luteal phase?

[MsSavvyChic]

So you’re recommending to start progesterone 3 days after ovulation. If you become pregnant, when should you stop taking it? Thanks Dr. Crawford!

[Miss_Abby]

Such a great informative video. I have unexplained infertility and I’m constantly researching online, reading comments from other women, watching YT videos…and I’m guilty of trying anything and everything, including vitex for 6 months 🤦🏻‍♀️. I’ve also recently heard of DHEA, any thoughts on it?

[tiffanyl]

Thank for mentioning biotin-a a lot of people don’t realize it can interfere with your lab results

[santaclassic]

Can you please explain why you don't like Vitex/chasteberry? My naturopath recommended vitex. I have a regular cycle, but I'm 40 TTC for baby number 2 (baby number one was easy at 37).

[courtneyfranks]

Hello. I would love to know why you suggest progesterone suppositories instead of the pills.

[tylerfergusongrona]

I am interested to know your thoughts on Maca root, vitex, ashwagandha and inositol! Thank you! Love all your info! 🤍

[josefinenytofte]

Hi thank you for a super informative video! I was wondering if you could do a video on vitex - who should take it, who shouldn't take it and how to take it correctly? I have short luteal phase and my doctor just said that I could take vitex "if I feel like it, it won't hurt". We haven't done any testing, but I had an ectopic pregnancy last year.

[samanthamccamish]

What about estradiol? I am 39 and TTC and my Dr. prescribed Estradiol cream. Will this help or hinder me from getting pregnant?

[kendall]

Would also love a video on Vitex. I have a short luteal phase/some symptoms of low progesterone. After my miscarriage of 6 weeks I believe it to be progesterone related, but my doctor dismissed me. I’m taking vitex and have noticed my luteal phase increase by a day or two. Still haven’t gotten pregnant since my miscarriage in October

[CassidyCase-pryq]

I saw a video of yours on my instagram reels. I had been prescribed to take a progesterone capsule everyday for about the past year by my NP who handles by thyroid and such. We are about a year TTC and no luck. Then I came across your instagram video and saw that progesterone will inhibit implantation, especially if taken everyday! I was shook. (I conceived my first child with no issues) I called my pharmacist and midwife I see and they said to stop taking it immediately and that is probably why I haven't been able to get pregnant at all!

[amandamarissamarascola]

What do you recommend to a 37 year old who had a miscarriage recently and can’t afford a doctor or tests? All my blood test came back normal when I was pregnant but I’m assuming the egg was a little too small because it looked pretty tiny and the heart rate was very low so how many months do I need to eat my certain vitamins, I’m taking my prenatals and practicing stress, reducing techniques before my eggs might be healthy enough to conceive again? Can you do a video for somebody like this? I know there’s so much information out there, but I don’t have the ability to get all these tests to know where my levels are, but I really want a baby

[whenlifegivesyouclemmons]

Can you talk more about vitex/chasteberry? It’s the only thing that has allowed me to ovulate sooner and lengthen my luteal phase. Do you have another suggestion to achieve this outcome

[amandamarissamarascola]

They said I had a lot of hcg so I must have been ok but I lost the baby at 8 weeks. Could it have been bc I had BV untreated?

[leahb]

Would you be able to do a video on Vitex? For the last 5 years I've experienced spotting 2-4 days before my period. When I took Vitex for a few months, it took away the spotting. I'm curious to know why that would be. It seemed to help, but now that I am completing IUI treatments, I no longer take it as I don't want it to negatively impact anything.

[rosamoreno]

Per usual, very informative and educational. 👍🏻
I am 46.5 yrs old and did not even start tracking my cycles with an app until 1 year ago. Wish we had that in my 20s with all of this information, I would like to think I would have changed the course of my life.
Made me think of all the IFBB professional bikini competitors and bodybuilding females that take performance enhancing drugs.