Estrogen Levels Too High
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
My doctor did blood work on me, I was having pregnancy symptoms and the test was negative, it turns out my estrogen level is higher than my progesterone and I have polycystic syndrome. She said that means I am not ovulating. And that’s why I had trouble conceiving the 2 children I have now. It took us 7 months to get pregnant with our 2 year old.
I have been off the Nuva ring for 3 months now and my question is..... is there anything I can do to get pregnant again or should I get fixed. I don’t want to still be trying to get pregnant in 4 to 6 months. Is it possible to get pregnant within the next month or 3?
The Dr. told me to take this progesterone hormone to level out my levels. She said my estrogen is twice as high as the other needed to make my periods come. Should I take it?
Please help. I would like a second opinion.
Thank you,
April
ANSWER
It is fine to do the progesterone challenge, especially if it is followed by clomid and/or metformin, the two drugs that are often given in your situation. But even without any complications at all, and no prior use of hormonal contraceptives, it can take up to 12 months to get pregnant just by luck of the draw (7 months is perfectly normal), so I couldn't say whether you will be pregnant as fast as you would like to be or not.
-- Cynthia, CNM
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
