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Fertility Therapies Q&A

Fertility Q&A: The Proper Use and Application of Progesterone Cream

Elizabeth Willett - M.A., Certified Herbalist
July 17, 2021
Reviewed by Christine Traxler, MD

Without proper progesterone production, the uterine lining cannot easily grow to either shed during a normal menstrual period or sustain the health and growth of an embryo. Progesterone a vital hormone for reproductive wellness and female fertility. So, when women learn their progesterone is low they google what they can do about it, often to learn of progesterone cream. Below are several questions about supporting healthy progesterone levels and proper use of natural progesterone cream.

Q1: “I lack progesterone. What should I eat?”

A: Supporting healthy hormonal balance, including progesterone levels, does begin with following a healthy whole food diet, such as the Fertility Diet. Do be sure to eat foods rich in vitamin B6 – wild Alaskan salmon, tuna, bananas, spinach, walnuts, grass-fed beef, cage-free chicken, sweet potatoes, prunes and beans. It may take more than diet to improve progesterone levels naturally, however. So, I think it would be most helpful to refer to our Progesterone Fertility Guide to learn more on reducing exposure to xenohormones, the herb Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) and natural progesterone cream.

Q2: “I have pcos. It seems that I am stuck in a 14 day cycle. I have a 4-5 day period. Then about the time someone with a normal cycle would ovulate I start my period again. If I start the progesterone cream on day twelve, do you think it would have time to take effect and lengthen my cycle? I am not trying to conceive right now. I’m just trying for a normal cycle.”

A: It may be best to first consider making dietary and lifestyle changes, while enlisting the help of herbs, nutritional supplements and natural therapies first for a minimum of three cycles or so to see how the body responds. We feel it is best to ensure progesterone levels are low prior to using natural progesterone cream. This is done through testing. So, if you can give a natural program for PCOS a try, as we share of in our guide How to Reduce the Damaging Effects of PCOS on Fertility Through Diet and Herbs, that’d be a great start.

All that said, if you are going to try using progesterone cream, theoretically it may work to start the cream on the day after ovulation (or around cycle day 12 if you are not ovulating) and apply it daily until your period starts or for two weeks, whichever comes first. Keep in mind that the cycle days of use may shift as progesterone levels increase and the body works to relearn balance. In general, with dietary and lifestyle changes the body should begin to adjust to progesterone therapy over 3 menstrual cycles or so (it can take longer).

Q3: I’m on month three of the ovarian cyst cleanse. I’ve been struggling with fatigue even when I get TWELVE hours of sleep at night! I’m concerned that the progesterone cream may be the cause. I’ve had a few people tell me their doctor told them to take their progesterone at night because of fatigue (and plenty of other people tell me complete other things haha). Is it an option to do all 40mg in the evening instead of 20/am and 20/pm? Anyone else mentioned this as a possible side effect?

A: (by Certified Herbalist Sarah Abernathy): May I ask if your progesterone was ever tested prior to the cream use? We usually only suggest using it after levels are confirmed low.

Additionally, progesterone can cause fatigue in some women. Using progesterone cream can also temporarily increase estrogen dominance symptoms like fatigue, especially when you first begin it. Tip: Using Maca 500-1,500mg per day may help give you a little more energy if you’re interested in trying it.

For your other question, unfortunately, we do not suggest doubling up on the cream dose. I asked our Senior Herbalist and she explains: “The split dosage ensures optimum progesterone levels are maintained throughout the day. Splitting the dosage ensures 8-12 hours of sustained delivery – which more closely mimics how your body produces progesterone. Using one big dose in the evening risks a full 12 hours of no progesterone absorption.”

Note: If it’s been a few months or more, and fatigue is still an issue, then it is perhaps time to test progesterone levels again to confirm that 40 mg total daily is still needed.

Q4: In terms of application, I know everybody says to apply the cream to your skin but I read this article by Dr. Mercola and can’t help feel convinced that it should be applied via the vagina or rectum? Thoughts?

A: There are differing usage instructions of progesterone cream by different practitioners. We do not suggest using FertilicaTM Natural Progesterone Cream, or Emerita Pro-Gest vaginally or rectally. We follow the usage guidelines of Dr. John Lee and his suggested application is that progesterone cream is best applied to the skin (transdermal application): to the face, neck, upper chest, breasts, inner arms and palms of hands and feet. You will want to work with a qualified practitioner to guide you in vaginal or rectal use. This is best not done on your own.

Q5: Wouldn’t it be easier to just take a progesterone pill?

A: We follow the guidance and expertise of the late Dr. John Lee who recommends a transdermal application of progesterone cream rather than oral progesterone because upwards of 80% to 90% of an oral dose of progesterone can be lost through the liver. This is why progesterone pills taken orally are often prescribed at doses of at least 200 to 400 mg daily. This amount is necessary orally to achieve a physiologic dose of 15 to 24 mg daily. Such high doses create undesirable metabolites and unnecessarily overload the liver. Ultimately, the form of progesterone you use is up to you. Side note: Many women are given oral progesterone supplements in pregnancy and it is fine to take the prescription pills to ensure your pregnancy is safe.

Supporting healthy progesterone levels…
Supporting healthy hormonal balance, including progesterone levels, is important for reproductive wellness. It is always good to ensure you are eating as healthy of a diet as you can, one like the Fertility Diet, moving or exercising regularly to maintain a healthy BMI and then using herbs, nutritional supplements and natural therapies. It is when the body is healthy that natural therapies can be most effective for nourishing the body systems involved in hormonal balance. Eat right, exercise, take your herbs and supplements, and you’ll be setting yourself up for balance and success.

Resources to help you learn more:
Progesterone Fertility Guide
Progesterone Fertility Q&A
Natural Progesterone Cream Use: 10 Things You Should Know
Use of Progesterone Cream with an Irregular Menstrual Cycle Q&A

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About the Author

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Elizabeth Willett - M.A., Certified Herbalist

Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist and Lead Educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a BS in Mass Communications (2000) from Minnesota State University, and a Master of Arts degree (MA, 2010) in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Liz has written over 200 articles on women's fertility and brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and healing to Natural Fertility Info.com

5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally

  • Learn the 5 different areas to focus on for optimal fertility health
  • Learn how to support hormonal health with herbs and essential oils
  • Tips on transitioning to a whole food fertility diet.
  • Self-care therapies to support your reproductive health

@NaturalFertilityInfo

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☕Reproductive Support Tea contains herbs that support, tone, and nourish the female reproductive system while supporting hormone balance.

It’s a soothing and effective fertility tea that provides just the right mixture of beneficial fertility herbs designed to help:

1️⃣ Nourish the uterus*

2️⃣ Support fallopian tube health.*

3️⃣ Help maintain normal ovarian function.*

4️⃣ Encourage normal uterine health.*

5️⃣ Support hormonal balance.

Type ‘TEA’ in the comments below if you would like 10% off your first order or Reproductive Support Tea and I will DM you a discount link. 👇👇

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👇3 Ways To Naturally Support Ovulation 👇

Lack of ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility.

BUT you can help support your body to regularly ovulate again when hormonal health is found.

Here are some steps you can take to support yourself….

1️⃣ Eat healthy fats like avocado, chia, flax, nuts & seeds

2️⃣ Eat an abundance of whole foods 🥦🍉🥗🍇

3️⃣ Increase circulation to the reproductive system through exercise, Self Fertility Massage and castor oil packs.

👇 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the steps you can take to support your fertility cycle. 👇

#ovulation #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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Jan 30

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🌱 Ashwagandha is one of my favorite herbs for stress support while trying to conceive. 

It is easy to use and the calming effects can be felt pretty quickly after starting the herb. 

➡️ The hormonal support results take a bit longer, as with any hormone supportive herb, but is wonderful for both women and men who are experiencing high stress and hormone imbalances. 

Type ASH in the comments below and I will share which Ashwagandha I recommend and how to use it for fertility support. 👇👇

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Jan 30

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Q: I have a 24 day cycle. What is this saying about my fertility?

A: Swipe left for our answer...

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Jan 30

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⭐ 3 Benefits of Vitex for Fertility…

1️⃣ Regulates hormones: Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is known to regulate the production of hormones such as luteinizing hormone and prolactin, which can help to balance out estrogen and progesterone levels, promoting fertility.

2️⃣ Improves ovulation: Vitex can help to regulate the menstrual cycle and improve ovulation in women with irregular cycles or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

3️⃣ Decreases symptoms of PMS: Vitex can also help to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as cramps, breast tenderness, and mood swings, which can improve overall health and well-being.

Want to know which Vitex I recommend and how to use it? Type VITEX in the comments below 👇

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Jan 29

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🌱 Red raspberry leaf has been used by midwives for fertility for generations. Some of the most well known benefits of raspberry leaf for reproductive support include… 

1️⃣ Regulating menstrual cycles: Red raspberry leaf is believed to help balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles, making it easier for women to conceive.

2️⃣ Strengthening the uterus: Red raspberry leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron and vitamin C, which are believed to help strengthen the uterus and prepare it for pregnancy.

3️⃣ Improving egg quality: Some studies suggest that red raspberry leaf may improve egg quality and increase the chances of conception.

4️⃣ Reducing morning sickness: Red raspberry leaf is also believed to help reduce the symptoms of morning sickness, which can be especially beneficial for women who are trying to conceive.

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Jan 29

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🧪 Xenohormones are chemicals that mimic the effects of hormones in the body. 

They can disrupt the endocrine system, which controls the production, transport, and function of hormones. 🚫

This can lead to a variety of health problems, including fertility issues. 

Examples of xenohormones include certain pesticides, plastics, and phthalates. 🕯️

Exposure to these chemicals can affect the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which play key roles in fertility. 

Xenohormones can also affect ovulation and implantation of a fertilized egg, leading to infertility. 

It would be best to avoid these chemicals as much as possible. 

👇👇To  learn more about which chemicals to avoid and which products are most important to replace type in ‘TOXIC’ in the comments below to get my guide to Creating a Healthy Home for Fertility Pregnancy & Family 👇👇

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Jan 28

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5 Steps you can take to help support your fertility naturally…. 👇

1️⃣ Cleanse and prepare the body for conception

2️⃣ Nourish the body with fertility supportive foods

3️⃣ Protect and remove any substances that are causing harm

4️⃣ Learn how to fertility chart and read your monthly cycle

5️⃣ Add lifestyle habits that help to support fertility health

🌼 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the 5 steps. 👇

#naturalfertility #fertilitytips #gettingpregnant #hormonehealth #hormonalhealth

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Jan 28

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The body is always giving us feedback to what is happening inside. How regularly you go to the bathroom shares a lot about your digestive health.... as does a bloated belly or gas. Your period or monthly cycle can share a lot about your hormonal state. Your skin can share how your liver is doing. And so on. What have you learned from listening to your body?

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Jan 28

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🕯️Chemicals in candles, such as paraffin and phthalates, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned. 

Some research suggests that certain VOCs, such as phthalates, may disrupt hormone balance by mimicking estrogen and other hormones in the body. 🚫

It’s always a good idea to choose candles made from natural materials, such as beeswax or soy wax, which produce fewer VOCs. 🐝

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Jan 27

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5 Steps you can take to help support your fertility naturally…. 👇

1️⃣ Cleanse and prepare the body for conception

2️⃣ Nourish the body with fertility supportive foods

3️⃣ Protect and remove any substances that are causing harm

4️⃣ Learn how to fertility chart and read your monthly cycle

5️⃣ Add lifestyle habits that help to support fertility health

🌼 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the 5 steps. 👇

#naturalfertility #fertilitytips #gettingpregnant #hormonehealth #hormonalhealth

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Jan 27

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Preparing for pregnancy is one of the best steps you can take for a healthy pregnancy and child. Here are some steps to help you get started…. 👇

1️⃣ Eat a diet high in fiber. More fruits and veggies

Fiber helps the body to get rid of excess hormones and fruits and veggies are packed with fiber. They also are very hydrating and have lots of nutrients. All are useful for someone with heavy cycles. 

2️⃣ Learn about your fertility cycle through tracking and charting

Fertility charting will help you to understand your current hormonal state, when or if you are ovulating and other information about your cycle that will help to bring clarity to your fertility path. 

3️⃣ Fertility Cleanse 1-2x per year

The first phase of the Fertility Cleanse is a great way to help support the liver in it’s natural ability to get rid of excess hormones. The second phase focuses on the uterus and helping the uterus to cleanse and increase circulation.

👇 To learn more about the Fertility Cleansing type CLEANSE in the comments below and I will send you my Guide To Fertility Cleansing. 👇 

#hormonehealth #hormonalhealth #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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Jan 26

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💡It can be completely normal for your menstrual cycle to vary in length slightly from month to month! 

Ovulation may come a day before or a day later even in normal some cycles. 

We actually expect to see natural variations between menstrual cycles. 

Early ovulation can be concerning, however, when/if it consistently happens. 

➡️ If you would like to learn what you can do to help balance a short follicular phase type EARLY in the comments below and I will send you a link to my guide….👇👇

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Jan 26

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Are you experiencing fibroids? 👇 Type FIBROID in the comments below and I will send you a link to my natural guide. 🌱

#fibroid #fibroids #naturalfertility #fibroidfertility #fibroiddiet

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Jan 26

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Intimacy may not be something at the top of your mind with everything else you are doing to TTC. But connection with your partner and you feeling.... good is important. Here are some natural ways to support libido if the stress of baby making has made things tense in the bedroom.

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Jan 25

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When in doubt get it checked out. 

One of the most common reasons I suggest women to see their doctors is when they are experiencing  a heavy period that doesn’t stop after 5-7 days and has heavy flow. 

There are many different reasons this could be happening, but we first want to make sure it isn’t something that requires medical assistance before going on to healthy lifestyle support.

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Jan 25

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Ovarian cysts are more common than you think, and there are ways you can support your body naturally. Type CYSTS in the comments below and I will send you the natural steps you can take to support your self.

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Jan 24

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🌱 One of my favorite ways to support fertility and hormone health is through herbs. 

Over the past 20+ years that I have been an herbalist I have seen what herbs can do to help turn someone’s health around. 

When it comes to fertility there are a lot of different herbs that you can use. But they all have different actions. There is no one herb that fits all for fertility. 

That is one of the reasons I make herbal blends & formulas. 

Three of my favorite herbs are vitex, maca and shatavari, but they each have different effects on the body. 

So the key to success with fertility herbs is to first figure out what is going on in your body and then you can pick the right herbal formula for you. 

You can do this by charting your fertility (I have a lot of posts about fertility charting on my feed as well as my website) and also paying attention to your period. 🩸

To learn more about my herbal formulas for fertility support type HERBS in the comments below and I’ll share a link to my formulas 👇👇

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Jan 24

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👇READ THIS if you have a regular period but still haven’t gotten pregnant…. 

The answer is YES. The menstruation phase of a monthly fertility cycle is only one stage of the cycle. 

There are many other times of the month that are even more important like: 

🌸 Follicular phase: When the lining is growing and follicles are maturing

🌸 Ovulation: When the egg is released

🌸 Implantation: When the fertilized egg implants

🌸 Luteal phase: The time period between ovulation and the next cycle needs to be long enough for implantation to occur. 

Wondering how to start supporting your fertility naturally? 

👇 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the steps you can take to support your fertility cycle. 👇

#periods #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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Jan 23

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Endometriosis can impact fertility and having a healthy pregnancy. 

Preparing ahead of time and taking the steps can make a big difference. 

Type ENDO in the comments below if you would like my natural guide to supporting your fertility regardless of having endometriosis....💛👇
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