Progesterone cream? - need advice!

[Heather5]

OK! I posted a question about progesterone cream last month...but of course now I can't find it! I was thinking about trying it last month, but chickened out. So now I'm thinking about it again :-) My temps are creaping up so slowly after ovulation, only like 0.1 or less every day...and I'm wondering if it is because my progesterone is taking its sweet time. Here's my chart:

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1a8067

So, what do you guys think? Should I try progesterone cream? Has anyone else on here tried it before?

[islandmama]

Hey Heather, my Dr gave me a perscription for a progesterone ill that gets inserted.  She told me progesterone is something that can't hurt, so why not give it a try.  It might just be what you need to get the BFP!

[kindergal]

I have a friend on it for pre menopausal symptoms...She gets hers at a Health Food/Medicine Store.

[susanelizabeth]

I took it with both my pregnancies after I knew I was pregnant (due to borderline low levels with dd) and even though I didnt know if i needed it with ds, I took it anyway just in case when I got my bfp at 10 dpo.  I was told by my doc it doesnt hurt so I would just do it!  I too have some in my cabinet - I may try it too in the 2ww.  How are you doing in the 2ww!!!???

[Heather5]

Thanks, everyone! I might drive over to Sprouts and get some today. I've seen several brands of progesterone cream there before. I don't know why I'm so nervous about trying it.... Do you guys think it will delay my period if I'm not pregnant? Or will my period start anyway?

As for my 2WW, it's going OK, I guess. Slightly sore BBs, and some mild cramps right after O, but that's about it. I wish I could just fast forward to 14 dpo without missing Christmas :-) Wouldn't that be great? I just hate this loooong wait.

Other than that, I'v been busy doing some work today (I work from home) and trying to get the house ready for Christmas. My husband's family is coming on Saturday and will be staying for a week or so...so in addition to just regular cleaning and decorating for Christmas, I also have to make sure we have enough pillows, shampoo, soap and things like that for all the guests. Puh! I really should have started this earlier :-)

How are you guys doing?

[islandmama]

I don't know if it will delay your period, not sure, I guess we will obth find out about the same time.  I'm not sure if I am even gonna try this time.  I made a post a little while about about DH analysis and am a little bummed right now.

[Heather5]

I just went back to check your post and I'm sooo sorry to hear that! But like you said, you have gotten pregnant three times, so it would make sense to me that it might be caused by an infection and that it is a temporary thing. Hopefully, they'll give you (or I guess him) some more answers when he has his appointment. Maybe he just needs a round of antibiotics or something... I'll cross my fingers for the two of you!!!

[islandmama]

I'm actually pretty positive because I think we found the problem and now we just have to fix it!  My old Dr tested this himself and said it was fine but now I am finding out alot of what he said was fine wasn't, I just wish I hadn't wasted so much time with the same Dr when I really felt like something wasn't right.

[gokuangel]

what exactly does this cream? will it increase chance of TTC or does  it just help u when ur prego already?

[rxyrxx919]

My friend has PCOS and tried lots of things to get pg... she finally gave up after years of trying and just recently (probably like six months) she started using this cream and LOVES it!  She thinks it's the greatest thing in the world

[Heather5]

Hi everyone! So I just got back from Sprouts where I bought Femgest. According to the lady working there, it is a natural progesterone cream, and she said it is one of the most popular ones. So I just applied it to the inside of my arm...and now, 2 minutes later, it feels a little bit tingly...but not much :-) Actually it seems to be going away as I'm writing this. Soooo, let's see how this goes...

gokuangel: Progesterone cream is does not increase the chance of TTC per se, but it can help the embryo implant IF the egg is fertilized and IF your body is not producing enough progesterone on its own. I had my levels checked a couple of months ago and it was 11.9, which is fine according to my doctor. But I had a miscarriage in September, and back then my progesterone was low (only 9) at 5 weeks, 4 days. So, I'm just trying this in case I need it :-)

rxyrxx919: I'm glad your friend likes using progesterone cream. It's nice to hear other people's experiences. Did she decide to TTC again now that she's using the cream?

islandmama: That's such a good point!!! At least now you know where to go next! Keep us posted! I'm very curious as to what the urologist suggests.

By the way, the tingling is gone now :-) Take care, everyone!

[susanelizabeth]

I have femgest sitting in my closet too....  You have inspired, me, Im gonna try it!

[rxyrxx919]

Not yet she hasn't but is considering it again... =)  Hopefully she does!  

[shygirl03]

Hi sweety how are you ,I re take a test this morning but still negative ,I just dont know what to say ,still negative

[RunningL8]

I have used the natural progesterone cream in the past for PMS symptoms, and thought it helped a big.  BUT you don't want to be using it to increase implantation without talking to your doctor first!!!  First of all, over the counter items do not have to meet the same standards as prescription drugs, so you won't know exactly what amount you're getting; in some cases, you won't even know what substance you're getting.  Second, if you start it too early, the progesterone will prohibit the sperm from being able to penetrate the egg.  Third, if you continue it too long or take too large of a dose, you will throw off your ovulating for your next cycle.  The way an RE prescribes progesterone is that you take a low dose of vaginal progesterone suppositories starting 3 days after ovulation, continue for 12 days, and then stop and take a pregnancy test.  If you're not pregnant, you need to stop the suppositories immediately at that point.  The progesterone suppositories are absorbed directly into your uterus, which is where you need it.  However, most women don't even need progesterone, especially if you're under 42, and all progesterone can have side effects.  So please, everyone, talk to your doctors on this one first!  If you need progesterone to help implantation, I'm sure your doctor will give you a prescription.

[RunningL8]

I meant to type To "Heather and everyone else" on that last post....:)

[islandmama]

Just wanted to check and see if you noticed any difference in your temps or if you feel any difference with the progesterone yet.  

[Heather5]

Yes, my temps did go up a bit more this morning...but I also had one of those mornings where I kept waking up, so who knows. Don't really feel any different, though :-)

BG-MN: Thanks for the info... I don't think I started it too early, as I was either 6 or 4 dpo yesterday, and I did actually ask my obgyn about the cream at my annual pap smear earlier this month. He basically said that progesterone creams might work well for women who are going through menopause, but for people ttc, he thought the amount of progesterone was probably too low to make much of a difference. But I've read about so many people online, who said it really helped them...so I decided to give it a try anyway. I hope I'm not messing up my cycles by using it.

The only thing I'm a bit worried about is taking a pregnancy test, getting a negative, stopping the progesterone and finding out that I am pregnant after all. I was under the impression that you could take it until you got your period, but if that can interfere with your next cycle, then maybe I will try to test before then and maybe stop if I get a negative. Thanks, again!

[Heather5]

I'm so sorry you got another negative! Maybe you should just take a nice, relaxing break from thinking about it over the holidays, and test again after :-) Enjoy time with family and friends, and try not to think about it too much...although I know that's easier said than done! Take care of yourself!

[RunningL8]

Well, I still am against OTC progesterone, but at least you've gotten a go-ahead from your doctor (or at least not a no).  But you have to stop the progesterone after 12 days, because if you're not pregnant, your progesterone needs to drop in order for your uterine lining to shed; if your progesterone doesn't drop due to the supplements, you won't get a period.  My RE lets me come in for a pregnancy blood test after 12 days, but he was also the one who gave me the prescription progesterone.  How old are you?  Really the progesterone is only needed in older women whose ovaries don't naturally make enough progesterone in early pregnancy to help implantation, and/or in women who know they have a progesterone problem.  I think it's hard to compare cases of other women online--they might be older than you and need progesterone, or have some other problem, or maybe they would have gotten pregnant without the progesterone....A regular cycle in which you ovulate is a gift, so I just don't want you to mess yours up.:)  

[shygirl03]

Hi Heather,,I had like a spot yesterday a little bit ,and ill wash it ,then I put a napkin or kotek (TMI sorry ,) all night long ,and see if maybe during the night i sleep will get heavy flows.but in the morning i check the and theres nothing i found ,I just dont understand ,Am 32 yrs old and i dont think i get a early menoupausal ,I am afraid of it because  suppose to be dec 13th is my due ,and its already been late ,and i dont know if i go see the doctor and i dont feel anthing ,i dont feel the pain and cramps ,just i found yesterday a spot and then i thought it was my AF sign ,but it stop!

I dont know what to do ,I already spent 3 preg test evryday morning i  test and all are negative ,Im so sad  now and i dont know if  this week will be a heavy flow....I hope we have luck in couple months ,or year 2008 ...Wish you agood luck and try to chart if you got your period .and when you gonna be fertile and ovulate...keep me posted ok  
To:

[Heather5]

Do you think you could have ovulated late this cycle? Maybe what you experienced last night was implantation!

...I hope so :-)