progesterone level
Bethany - Jan 27th, 2007 5:04 PM
[ Original Post ]

Dr Smith, I have two questions for you. First, my husband and I are about to start our 3rd cycle of IUI. I am on Follistim and he has limited motility. Our first IUI we inseminated 1 mill motile sperm, our second cycle about 8 mill. Should we continue with IUI or move on to IVF after this cycle?

Next question. My progesterone level after our 1st IUI was 19. I had 3 maybe 4 mature follicles. My RE seemed to think this was adequate but a little on the low side. I do not know yet what my level was for our second cycle. I was on vaginal progesterone with both cycles. Does this mean I will have problems maintaining a pregnancy or is it ok? Thank you for your help.

Comment


 

Dr Smith - Jan 30th, 2007 12:59 PM

If the third IUI does not work, move on to IVF. One million motile sperm on the first IUI was not enough to get the job done. Eight million on the second was so-so O.K., so there was a chance.

I'm not an RE so, your question is outside of my field of expertise. I'll give it a shot. A progesterone of 19 should be adequate to support a pregnancy. Vaginal progesterone is absorbed locally and effects the endometrium directly. Therefore, the progesterone measured in blood is not necessarily indicative of what is being delivered to the endometrium. It could be much higher than what shows up in the blood.