Progesterone Cream and Infertility

The progesterone is typically not for getting pregnant but for aiding in the development of the placenta once someone has gotten pregnant so that there is an organ to support a growing fetus. And, like another poster has said, you really should seek the advice of trained medical personnel (ob/gyn, midwife, etc.) before using such a product.

DO NOT USE IT DURING YOUR PERIODS! You're supposed to be low in progesterone at that time. That will mess up your natural cycle.

The reason it says that on the bottle is to protect themself from any liability. In reality, if you're low in progesterone, then your body needs it and it will help your body to have better and stronger ovulating cycles, which will help you to become pregnant.
My Dr. put me on it several years ago. I use a prescription strength all natural compound progesterone cream. I use 50 mg twice daily for 10 days, starting 3 days after I ovulate. Now, it's tricky because it's necessary to chart your cycles and know when you're ovulating for the progesterone to work properly in your body.
Just a little FYI...the first half of your cycle, estrogen is elevated and progesterone is low. Once you ovulate, your ovaries send a signal to your pituatary gland to stop ovulating and thus will send out the message for your body to produce elevated progesterone. Your level will increase over the last part of your monthly cycle and then drop right before you menstrate.
So, if you're low in progesterone you likely will have some nasty PMS symptoms and you might suffer from infertility and/or miscarriage problems. I started on the progesterone cream because of really bad PMS that started about 10 days before my period. I felt CRAZY! The progesterone greatly helped me out. Also, I always ovulated late in my cycles...around day 21 or later. After being on the progesterone cream for about 6 months my cycles changed and I started to ovulate on day 16, which was a miracle for me. I hadn't ovulated that early in years! Because of all this, I eventually got pregnant and now have a beautiful 5 month old!
I recommend you talk to your OB about taking this cream. The OTC creams are only 20mg, I believe and tell you to start using it around day 17 in your cycle;however, if you really are deficient in progesterone, it's likely your having ovulation issues. Your dr. can do a blood test 7 days after you ovulate to tell if you're low.
I hope this helps and isn't too confusing. I've dealt with this issue for a long time and know how frustrating it can be.

I would try acupuncture first. I have used progesterone injections and suppositories to maintain pregnancy. The creams are not as potent. My doctor gave me progesterone the first month only to prevent miscarriage.

Your hormone system is very delicate, and can be thrown off dramatically by adding progesterone if you don't need it, it can also cause loss. So you shouldn't be using it unless you have talked to your doctor about it. You could ask for a hormone test to see if you are at all deficient in any areas. However choosing holistic methods of acupuncture, stress reduction, yoga, improving nutrition, all will do you much better than a cream that may or may not be appropriate for your make up. Also, acupuncture, and the other holistic modalities I mentioned all can help you with cramps and PMS as well. I help to educate women through yoga and holistic modalities, most of the women I work with are diagnosed with infertility and are going through treatment of some sort, so if you have any other questions, feel free to send me a message.

didn't read the other answers so not sure if I'm repeating here..

I was given progesterone suppositories to use(vaginal) by my fertility DR. AFTER I got pregnant. It seems that one of the biggest reasons woman miscarry is due to low/lower progesterone levels. It was messy but worked as I have 2 beautiful children!!

I would talk to your Dr. first before trying anything over the counter. Good luck.

I wouldn't take anything unless it is perscribed by a Dr.

I use progesterone cream and continued using it when we were trying to conceive. You don't want to get a synthentic form and use just a small amount after ovulation is confirmed and quit using it once your period starts.

I've had big trouble conceiving. I was just trying about two years ago for the son I now have that is 7 months old.

Anyways I was in a support group. As the months went on these women got more and more desperate. Taking big amounts of B vitamins, mini tylenol, progesterone cream, special lubricant (can't remember it's name), plus lots and lots more. The long it took like I said the more desperate they tried to handle the situation on their own.

Well I talked to my doctor about all these things. Progesterone does help but it has to be used before you get pregnant. He said the cream is a wash because topical things only 5% get in the blood stream. Not a very considerable amount. He did tell me that if he saw any signs of progesterone problems he would test me on this certain day of my cycle and he'd know. Then he'd start the suppostories that go directly in the uterus before and through pregnancy. I think it was through the 14 week.

But we finally managed to get pregnant. But alot of women try different things. If it makes you feel better not much harm he told me. But I'd really say to talk to your doctor. It might help. Mine made me feel better. Snake oil sometimes makes us feel more in control so to speak.

Please do not use any hormone cream or therapy without talking with your medical provider first. Although I am not familiar with progesterone cream, several hormone creams/therapies are known to cause birth defects (especially in boys) and other problems and are meant to be avoided by pregnant/trying to become pregnant women.

As a side note - I know several people who got acupuncture treatments in order to aid in getting pregnant, and they said it works wonders. I don't have an opinion myself (never tried it), but it likely is safer than trying unapproved hormone creams.

Best of luck -

Looks like you've gotten some good advice. I just wanted to add you may want to try Vitex. Its an herb and helps balance your hormones. I told my best friend about it and being on it one month she got pregnant. Good luck.

I used the progesterone suppositories when I found out I was pregnant with my first. The doctor gave them to me and said they help thicken the lining of the uterus to make sure the embyo attaches, as I had already had 2 miscarriages. I don't see how something topical would work but as others suggested, I would talk with your doctor. I do remember reading the label and it said the same thing. When I asked I think they said it was still awaiting approval for this use but that it has been widely used for this reason for a while now.

I had to take progesterone suppositories during the first trimester of my current pregnancy. I do remember being very scared to take them after researching info online and everything I found seemed to say NOT to take during pregnancy. But my OB nurse was very reassurig and told me yes not all progesterone IS safe during pregnancy, but the one my OB prescribed WAS safe and had the right levels to help support a pregnancy. I was still skeptical and nervous but am currenlty 24 weeks pregnant and everythings going great.

The cream WILL NOT help you to become pregnant, but can help you support a pregnancy IF you're progesterone levels are even low . You most likely won't need it though unless you've had prior history of miscarriage. That was my case and why my OB didn't hesitate to start me on it. I would just make sure you take prenatal vitamins every day with folic acid until you are actually told by your OB that the progesterone is needed. Hope everything works out for you!

I would talk with your doctor before taking anything that changes your hormone balance.

You definitely want to consult your gyn or fertility specialist about your particular situation and medical needs.