Comments on: Progesterone Fertility Q&A

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:10:32 +0000

Hi Heather,

It would be best to begin the progesterone cream after confirmation of ovulation, so there is not chance of suppressing ovulation, which may happen if natural progesterone is used too soon.

All the best,

Dalene

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:02:46 +0000

Hi Elaine,

You would only use the natural progesterone cream in cycles, not everyday. If you use it everyday, it will suppress ovulation. The best way may be to mimic a natural cycle. So resting phase (mock period) day 1-5. Then on day 12-13 of the cycle the NPC would be started and continued until day 26. This may be done each month to help mimic and create a natural cycle. Learn ways to supplement NPC here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/progesterone-fertility-guide/

Best Wishes,

Dalene

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:58:27 +0000

Hi carolyn, It sounds like you may have Luteal Phase Defect (LPD). Low progesterone levels are the number 1 reason why LPD happens. Progesterone cream supplementation may help, but it would be best to know for sure if you are progesterone deficient first. There are at-home testing kits available. If you decide to supplement with natural progesterone cream, it is best to continue into pregnancy to help sustain progesterone levels and to help prevent miscarriage. Best Wishes, Dalene

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:20:10 +0000

Hi Tiffany,

A regular suggested dosage of natural progesterone cream (NPC) is 20mg a day. It sounds like you are using a loading dose. Do you know if you need to take that much NPC or if you need it at all? It is not abnormal for a woman’s first menstrual cycle, after beginning the NPC to be absent or not come until later. Did you stop the NPC? That may help to bring on a period, but be sure you are NOT pregnant before doing that. It may be that you are using too much NPC? There is no way I can be sure, I just don’t have enough information.

All the best,

Dalene

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:06:07 +0000

Hi Kim,

Please talk to your doctor about continuing it until the 16th week of pregnancy, when the placenta will take over progesterone production. There has been no evidence that continuing the natural progesterone cream will be harmful for the baby or mother even if there are adequate progesterone levels present. Stopping it could potentially cause a drop and may lead to miscarriage. Please talk to your doctor again!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Dalene

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:04:04 +0000

Hi there!

My last cycle I went almost 3 months without a period. I have been taking Vitex and later added Maca root to it as well. I know these are slow acting and after much research about NPC, I went out and bought some. I used 40 mg a day–one pump in the morning and one pump in the evening. This brought on my period in 12 days. At that point I stopped using all herbs and creams to let my body cleanse.

I am currently on CD 15 and have been charting my bbt. My chart looks great which is a surprise for someone who has been irregular for a long time. All my temps have stayed pretty close together, until yesterday at Cd 14 it dropped .4 degrees. I am assuming this is my pre-ovulation dip. Today on CD 15 my temp spiked almost .2 degrees above my coverline. I know you don’t confirm ovulation until 3 days of elevated temps.

My question is: Do I start the natural progesterone now, or should I wait until I have naturally confirmed ovulation after 3 days of elevated temps and then start the cream? I just don’t want false temp readings by starting the cream today because I really want to know if I actually ovulated or not. At the same time, I am trying to conceive and I don’t want to hinder my chances by waiting on using the cream.

Thank you in advance!
Heather

By: Elaine

Elaine — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:21:42 +0000

Thanks Dalene!
Thanks very much for the link to the cycle charting website. I am wondering whether I could be ovulating if I have not yet had a period? If I am not ovulating again yet would you know whether I should continue to take the progesterone cream every day until I know that I am?
My doctor doesn’t seem to be too familiar as to what to do now that I am in the transition phase after having a baby and not yet getting a period,
Very grateful for any further suggestions,
Sincerely,
Elaine

By: carolyn

carolyn — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:40:58 +0000

Hi, I am trying to conceive and have two children. I came off the pill (microgynon) in August and have had 4 cycles since, the last 3 i know were 22,23 and 23 days long. I have charted temps this last month and belive i am ovulating around day 17. This would suggest a short LP. I have been taking 50mg a day B-complex, this made no difference. Would you suggest my short cycles are due to low progesterone? If so, would you reccomend i begin taking progesterone cream and if i did become pregnant, would i have to continue on this for the first trimester?

Also, i sometimes experience light, darker spotting around day 10-11 is this normal?

Any help/advice is appreciated!

Thanks
Carolyn

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:20:09 +0000

Hi Elaine,

Thank you for sharing your experience with progesterone cream! You would want to consider only using it after ovulation. I am not sure that the small amount you are using would suppress ovulation, but there is a chance of this when progesterone cream is used all month long. Learning to chart you cycle will help you to see any changes in the cycle and predict ovulation. Charting will also help you to know when to start the progesterone cream after ovulation. Since your GP knows you so well, you may want to ask for their guidance in this transition as well!

Best Wishes,

Dalene

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:27:13 +0000

Hello,

I am taking 50mg of progesterone that I started on day 15 of my cycle and took a pregnancy test on the first day of my missed menses but it showed negative. Is it possible to have a negative result using progesterone? I am still 2 days late. Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks!

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:51:36 +0000

I started using NPC without knowing if I had low progesterone or not. I have PCOS and was told it could help with implantation. I am now 4 weeks pregnant, and my doctor has asked me to stop using the NPC. He did a blood test today and my progesterone level was a 24 which he was happy with. My question is, how do I know if the 24 was MY bodies level, or due to the NPC usage? If I stop abruptly now, will I be causing harm? I’m not sure what to do and fear stopping it cold turkey because the doctor may or may not understand the benefits. I have been using 1/4 tsp 2x a day from ovulation until yesterday.

Thank you!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:17:10 +0000

Hi,
I have a 14 week old baby. I’ve been using natural progesterone cream for years to keep my endometriosis under control. Once I conceived my gp adviced me to continue using the 3% natural progesterone cream for my entire pregnancy in small amounts (1/16th tsp morning and 1/16 tsp evening every day of the month). I have had some problems in the past when using higher doses, such as adrenaline rushes, so have stuck to a low dose. My gp recommended that I continue to use the cream during the entire pregnancy and also to continue on the same dose after the baby was born which I have done.
I am just starting to feel as if my cycles might be returning with twinges in my ovaries and feelings of pms in my stomach and my mood. Could you please offer any advice on how I should be using the cream. Should I continue to use it every day of the month? I have not yet had a period.
Thank you for any help,
Sincerely,
Elaine.
p.s Are there any natural cures for quite severe pms?

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:33:16 +0000

Hi Kate,

You are absolutely right! Readers can learn more about taking vit. b6 for Luteal Phase Defect here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/luteal-phase-defect.html

Thank you for sharing your story Kate!

Dalene

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:18:09 +0000

Hi- I’d like to address the question by the woman who said she was taking progesterone cream but it had not increased her luteal phase length. I have had excellent luck with increasing my luteal phase my taking 50 mg per day of B Complex (throughout the cycle). My progesterone levels have almost tripled and my luteal phase went from 11/12 days to 13/14. Women with luteal phase lengths of less than 12 days should consider taking up to 100 mg B Complex per day.

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:29:55 +0000

Hi Annie,

Day 12 is a general estimation. If you feel that day 12 may be too soon in your cycle and are worried that you may be suppressing ovulation, it would be best to learn how to chart your cycle. Charting will help you to pin point ovulation so you can use the cream after your exact ovulation date! We have a great tool to help you learn to chart: Guide to Fertility Charting

All the best!

Dalene