Progesterone Cream Usage Instructions
by Eckhart, MD
Individualized Dosage
In general, if you do not want to conceive immediately, you may use progesterone cream whenever you do NOT have a period. The normal dosage is 20-60 mg/day of progesterone cream. The actual dose used is dependent on weight, absorption, excretion rates, type of problem and metabolizing rates of each individual. Because these factors differ for each individual, each woman must experiment and see which dose works for her.
In general, progesterone cream is very safe. A woman normally produces 20 mg/day of progesterone during the latter half of her period. However, during one day of third trimester, she produces 400 mg/day of progesterone to maintain the pregnancy. Progesterone is the hormone of pregnancy. Without sufficient levels of progesterone a miscarriage is possible. So Natural Progesterone is quite safe for the baby and the mother. In fact, Fertility Medical Doctors that specialize in helping to conceive test tube babies routinely use natural progesterone shots, progesterone pills, progesterone suppositories, or progesterone creams to prevent first trimester miscarriage and to foster a successful pregnancy. However, the use of brand name prescription Progestins during pregnancy is considered to malpractice. According to a Physician's Desk Reference, brand name prescription Progestins cause birth defects. Natural progesterone does NOT cause birth defects.
Progesterone maintains the pregnancy by stopping the lining of the uterus from sloughing off. In other words, progesterone stops the period from happening. This is why it is suggested not to use progesterone during your period. If progesterone was taken in high enough dose, it could stop the period. Typically, progesterone taken at 20-60 mg/day does NOT stop the period and the period can break through.
Progesterone is safer than aspirin and its equivalents. An overdose of aspirin or its equivalents causes liver failure. However, even a large dose of progesterone 400 mg per day, 10 times more than is typically needed, is only one day of third trimester pregnancy.
Progestelle contains 20 mg of Progesterone per dropperful oil.
How to Apply
Topical progesterone cream lasts for 7 hours in the body. So I advise most women to use it twice a day. Progesterone cream may be taken once in the morning and once at night. Some women can just use it once a day and get the benefit of progesterone. Others need to apply the progesterone cream three times per day.
Rotate Areas
One day topically put it on the right arm. One day apply it to the left arm. And then apply it to the right leg. If you only applied it to the right arm day after day, then the subcutaneous fat would saturate, and you would not be able to absorb anymore progesterone.
Interactions
Birth Control Pills
Birth Control Pills may contain a synthetic progestin that blocks the Natural Progesterone. So Birth Control Pills cannot be used with Natural Progesterone. Progesterone is NOT recommended for birth control.
Thyroid
Estrogen Dominance (too much estrogen usually from xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens) causes thyroid receptor desensitivity. In other words, you become less sensitive to thyroid hormone. Thyroid tests are usually normal or below normal. However, the estrogen dominant patient looks hypothyroid. Hypothyroid patients have thinning hair, low temperature, and develop fat on the hips and belly. After 4-6 months of getting rid of xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens, and taking progesterone the thyroid receptor perks up usually and becomes normal. As a result, hypothyroid symptoms decrease and you become normal. Also IF you are taking thyroid supplements, these thyroid supplements should be slowly tapered off working with your doctor.
Before or After Ovulation
Progesterone taken before ovulation will fool the body into thinking it is pregnant, and the ovaries will not ovulate. In essence, the progesterone is saving your eggs for the future. However, progesterone taken after ovulation may encourage conception. Progesterone encourages a nice "nest" lining for the embryo to implant. You should work with your health care practitioner when using progesterone during pregnancy and lactation.
