Progesterone cream- how to use it?

[Alexa23]

It is official.  I am ovulating.  I have the cream and don't know how to use it to help pregnancy. any advices please?

[D's mom]

Cream? They progestorone Cream? Wouldnt it have instructions. or are you talking about CM?

[Alexa23]

yes, it has instructions, it is a cream, but i heard that to help conception i need to use it after ovulation. some say the day after conception,others 3 days after ovulation. do you have any idea?

[Alexa23]

sorry i meant to say 1 day after ovulation(

[D's mom]

i would just follow the instructions or call a pharmacist or doctor for more and better info, sorry i havent used it befroe, hopefully someone here has, but i would just follow instructions. Good Luck and lots of Baby Dust to you!!!

[Christie2004]

Did your doctor tell you to use it, or did you just order it online after hearing of others experiences?  

It's kind of a hit or miss approach if you're doing it on your own.  The sort of condition progesterone is used for takes careful diagnosis and specific treatment with drugs of proven efficacy.  

Probably won't hurt if you are doing it on your own, but may not help.  If it is prescribed, as you doctor for clarification as to how and when it is to be used.  

A lot of the "progesterone got me pregnant or saved my baby" posts you will see are likely just coincidental.  About 1 our of 3 or 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, often from genetic or other inevitable circumstance.  A woman might even have 2 in a row.  She gets very understandably worried and fearful, insists on progesterone (or the doctor gives it because it won't hurt)and bingo--the next pregnancy works!  Progesterone gets the credit, when in fact it might have just been coincidental, the odds being that the next pregnancy would have been fine anyway.

Bottom line for me...I asked an OB once and he said it probably won't hurt, might help, but the biggest reason he prescribes it is that if someone reads about a "miracle" (as there are so many stories on TTC boards), wants progesterone and he won't give it to her and she miscarries, she will forever believe he caused her miscarriage.  So if it won't hurt, he gives it to her and gets the credit if she carries to term.  

There ARE very specific conditions that can cause repeated miscarriage but they need to be investigated and treated with standard drugs of proven efficacy from ovulation to early pregnancy.  If you've been tested thusly and I'm just rambling on and on as I tend to do, I apologize and repeat then you should call your doctor and ask for furthur instructions.  

But if you're just trying this on your own to see if it will help, I don't have much advice except to ask others here what they have done in the past.  

Good luck!

[Christie2004]

Same goes for just TTC and using progesterone.  Unless you have had a condition diagnosed that is preventing you from conceiving, I don't know how to tell you to use it.  If you have been diagnosed with such a condition, call your doctor to ask how to use it.

[Alexa23]

thanks for the advice. i am using it, because i've been charting my bbt and cm and i have a short luteal phase, less than 9 days. this indicates low progesterone. i am very careful with what i put in my body, i don't birth control pills, never use any type of hormones. i am planning to use it for about 3 months and see what happens. i heard it also help with pre-menopause symptoms, and i am having those big time. thanks again

[gonza]

Pre-menapause or Pre-menstral?

[Alexa23]

pre-menopause. i am 33 yrs old. i've been reading a book about premenopause, it is very interesting.

[Alexa23]

I know now how i can apply the cream, but I don't  know when to stop..
For example, should i start the cream tomorrow ( 1 day after ovulation)? .
if i don't get pregnant ( period suppose to come oct 10th) if period comes, do i need to stop using the cream and start again, after i ovulate in october?.
i heard to use the cream prior ovulation can suppress ovulation.
sorry to be so graphic, i am just trying to figure it out best way to use it.

[greenpixie]

I also use progesterone cream b/c I spot for a few days before AF arrives.  Last month was my first month to try it.  I began applying 1/4 tsp twice a day (am & pm) the day after I ovluated and stopped on day 14.  It helps to know the length of your luteal phase, which I think you said you do.  In your case, I would stop on whatever day you expect AF.  I don't know if the cream is responsible, but my last cycle's days of spotting were half of what they were the month before.  And yes, you should only take it from OV to AF.  Taking it during the first part of your cycle could suppress OV, something you definitely don't want when you're TTC.  Best of luck to you!

[Alexa23]

thanks greepixie. i talked to my husband we agreed to give it another month before using the progesterone cream. this my second month ttc so we decided if i don't get pregnant this month, we'll go to the doctor with my 3 bbt and cm charts and if need to use the cream i already have it.
have you guys read the book : "what your doctor may not tell you about pre-menopause". it explains a lot about the hormonal process,progesteron,estrogen, etc, i find it insteresting.

[kimmie_n_angus]

that is a great choice....most docs will prescribe it to you when you have a short luteal phase. if you decide to tale the cream....start at 1 day after 'o' or 3 days after a pos OPK....this was my docs instructions....and i caleed to confirm 8 times after my pos OPKs :) keep using it till AF comes....that meand a bleed that requires a pad or tampon...not spotting...that could be implant. if AF is going to come she will regaurdless of the cream. if you get a BFP...call your doc and tell them you have been using the cream....they will instruct you on how to continue its use from there. i hope this cycle gives you your baby w/o it....BFP dust for you!!!

love, hugs, and baby dust....kimmie

[penny13]

just wanted to ask about the luteal phase, am i right in thinking it has to be at least 10 days. Also is the luteal phase when your discharge is yellowish/ brown. I always find it hard telling the difference. Thanks

[greenpixie]

Your luteal phase is the time in your cycle from OV to AF. Yes, ideally the luteal phase should be at least 10 days, preferrably 12-14.  Anything less than 10 days indicates a luteal phase deficiency.  As far as discharge, I don't think that has anything to do with it.  Luteal phase deficiency has to do with the amount of progesterone your body makes.

[penny13]

How bazar, i can see out postings listed but can't read them. I presume you were answering my question about lutea phase. Thanks but i can't seem to read what you have typed:(

[penny13]

Your answer just came up. I thought the colour of discharge after "o" showed if your are in the lutea phase . If not how can you tell how long it is??

[greenpixie]

The best way to tell is by BBT charting.  You just count  how many days were in between OV and AF.  If you are certain of when you're OVing, then I guess you don't need to chart.  I have to though b/c I have virtually zero symptoms.  The temp spike is about it for me.

[penny13]

I have calculated that my lutea phase should be 11 days this time, according to when af is due.

[kimmie_n_angus]

green pixie is right on the money. it is the time from 'o' till AF comes. it should be at least 10 days...and that is boarder line. last month mine was only 9. i 'o'ed on CD 21...very late...and i got PG too, but AF came 9 days after 'o' and washed the PG out. so AF came on time...i 'o'ed late.i got my BFP 2 days into AF. if i had had the prometrium i could have sustained the PG.

my nursing and biology books say that a woman should ovulate 14 before AF comes. so if you have a 28 day cycle you should 'o' on CD14, if you are a 32 day cycler then you should 'o' on CD18. as long as you 'o' 12-14 days prior to AF then you are fine. i am a 28 day cycler and 'O' on CD 21...that only gives my 7 days of a luteal phase....and that is why i am on prometrium now. i take it from 'o' till AF....it will increase the luteal phase of my cycle so i can carry. i have to take it the first 12 weeks of my PG.

good luck and baby dust....kimmie

[penny13]

I oed today which is day 12 and am due a period 12 days afteri oed. My cycle is only ever 24 days do you think that could be a problem?

[jluhart]

My doctor said that as long as your cycle is 21 days, you can ovulate.

[penny13]

Thanks so much!!! i'm such a worry wart.

[jluhart]

Worrying is better than not caring.

[penny13]

Very true:+D
Thanks!!!!!!!

[penny13]

Good news for you:) i will keep my fingers crossed.Baby dust*******

[kimmie_n_angus]

you should be just fine ....normal luteal phase is 12-14 days....anything under 10 is bad. mine has varied from 7-9....very bad :( but i am happy to report prometrium is doing its job :) i 'o'ed on CD 21 and today is CD 28....AF should have come and hasn't:) so even if i don't get my BFP at least i know i will carry when i do!!!

love, hugs, and baby dust ...kimmie