I used Natural Progesterone Cream (NPC) to induce a period this past January, and it worked perfectly after one full week of use after not having had a full period since July 2008. I didn't use NPC again after having my period the first week of January 2009 because I wanted to see if I would start on my own. I was hoping that my NPC use would somehow trigger my body to work naturally, but, of course, it didn't. Therefore, I decided to resume NPC use two weeks ago.
This is only the third time I have used NPC. The first two times were successful, so I was confident that NPC would work again. It hasn't though. I have been spotting several times a day for a week straight, and I have had fairly painful cramps for most of these days at the times when I am spotting, but there is no flow whatsoever. The spotting occurs at very regular intervals (starts in the morning and completely stops by early afternoon hours only to return lightly in the early evening before ceasing completely once again). I did miss one dose of NPC because I was very tired and fell asleep one night before I got a chance to use the cream. Would this make the product fail for me this time around?
I used a 1/2 teaspoon of Source Naturals NPC twice daily. Do you think I should use only a 1/4 teaspoon twice daily in two weeks if my period never shows up? Do you think it is possible that my body might be producing more progesterone on its own and that using NPC has given me too much progesterone to have a period at this time? I know that progesterone levels need to drop before a period can start.
I am not trying to conceive nor is there any chance whatsoever that my period is not coming because I am pregnant. I have been experimenting with using NPC strictly because I want to regulate my cycles. I get physically uncomfortable because I go for months at a time without having a period, but I do not want to take birth control pills again because I don't like how they make me feel.
It's so frustrating! I just want to have normal cycles on my own without having to use NPC, Provera, BCPs, etc.
i think you may have used too much. i have only read to use 1/4 tsp 2x daily at the most. so maybe just back off the 1/4 tsp 2x daily for a week and then stop and maybe that will do the trick. i have used npc twice to induce af and it worked like a charm. i used 1/4 tsp 2x daily for 9 days the first time and then 5 days the second time. i am currently doing a modified shutdown.
How are you doing it --Do you stop applying the Progesterone cream (like on day 28) and then wait for your period to start -- or -- are you applying Progesterone everyday (I guess twice a day) until you start you period? I think that what is supposed to make your period start is when the progesterone levels drop suddenly - so if I understand correctly you are supposed to stop taking it at a certain time. . . . . in order to hopefully have a period.
Another thing - if you have "ample" fat deposits where you apply the Progesterone cream the fat can sort of bulnt and extend (over time) the release of the progesterone into your bloodstream -- in addition to applying the wrong amount - I think that is another thing that can possibly go wrong with using Progesterone cream.
I am not a big fan of over the counter progesterone cream and so I am not an expert - but I do think that there are some do's and don't to using it if that is what you opt do do. It might be helpful for the next poster to know exactly how/when/where/etc you take the Progesterone cream with respect to you cycle - like what cycle day you start taking, what cycle day you stop taking, the brand and the strength of your cream, where on you body, how much, and when durring the day you apply etc.
August, in response to your questions, I have been using Source Naturals Natural Progesterone Cream (NPC). This product is said to be guaranteed to contain 500 mg. of progesterone per ounce and 22 mg. per 1/4 teaspoon. I have been applying a 1/2 teaspoon of the cream to my skin twice daily (once during the morning or early afternoon and again late in the evening).
This past round of NPC use was only the third time I have ever used NPC. I got my period before I could finish a two week round of NPC use the first two times I used the cream. I completed the full two week regiment this time around, and I have yet to get my period. I have only spotted, but that spotting finally ceased today. If I don't start my period within two weeks from the last date I applied the cream, I plan to resume using it. However, I want to try only applying a 1/4 teaspoon twice daily.
In answer to your question about where on my body I apply the cream, I have been using a measuring spoon to measure out the 1/2 teaspoon. I have then been distributing that 1/2 teaspoon of NPC to various areas. For example, I have applied some of the 1/2 teaspoon of cream to my wrists and hands, some more of the cream to my feet and ankles, and the remainder of the 1/2 teaspoon of NPC to places such as my face, neck, chest, inner arms, inner thighs, and stomach.
August, I am a cyster with ample fat deposits. I am and have been large for most of my life. If what you suggest is true in terms of fat affecting the release of the progesterone over time, my decision to apply NPC to my inner arms, inner thighs, and stomach could very well have caused the product to fail for me this time around. I applied the NPC to those areas the first two times I used it though and I got periods then, but perhaps those two successes were flukes or I got periods because I allowed more time to elapse between uses, thus, making it less likely that my fat reserves would hinder the NPC from working for me.
As for which cycle days I use NPC, this is the first time I have attempted to have two NPC induced periods two months in a row. I used the cream in January 2009, got my period, and waited to see if my NPC use would somehow trigger my body to get another period in February. Of course, it didn't, so I resumed the use of the cream on cycle day 42. It is now cycle day 59, and I doubt I will get a period anytime soon.
I'm uncertain about how long I want to continue to use NPC. On one hand, I want it work for me again as it has twice in the past because finally getting a period makes me feel better after the period is done, but I am hesitant to keep using the product because I fear that my body will become dependent on it. It's not like I get many cycles on my own now. I am lucky if I can get one natural period a year, but part of me always hopes that my body will somehow just turn itself around one day and start cycling like a normal woman's body does. I don't want to have to use creams, pills, teas, etc. to have a period! It all feels quite unnatural and makes me so disappointed in my body because it hardly ever does what I want it to.
Last edited by shortandsweet; 03-01-2009 at 06:13 PM.
This past round of NPC use was only the third time I have ever used NPC. I got my period before I could finish a two week round of NPC use the first two times I used the cream. I completed the full two week regiment this time around, and I have yet to get my period. I have only spotted, but that spotting finally ceased today. If I don't start my period within two weeks from the last date I applied the cream, I plan to resume using it. However, I want to try only applying a 1/4 teaspoon twice daily.
So I take that to mean that on the most recent "cycle" where you used progestrone cream you did stop applying after the two week regiment was completed and then. . . . . nothing, only spotting, is that right?
It might also be time to consider getting help from a professional -- my preference would be a medical doctor - although they are not all supportive of the use of natural progesterone cream - if you don't think you can find a medical doctor who will be interested in helping you out - the way you want to proceed - you might want to look into finding an alternative health professional to help. Endocrinology probably is not the best "do it yourself project".
Also please remember that not every women is deficient in progesterone and progesterone deficiency is not the only way hormones can be out of balance - it is not even the only deficiency that a women with PCOS could possibly have.
If you have not had proper testing of your hormones done - that might be something worth doing. I have had much better result with treatment plans based on blood test than on saliva testing and I think blood testing is more accurate -- but other will likely disagree.
Progest is a good brand. Most gyn's don't advocate its usage so you may want to find an alternative doctor if you are looking for assistance with it! Also, most of the over the counter dosages are too high so backing off on that 1/2 tsp twice a day would probably work best! Also, it tends to build up in the fat cells so I would not put in in the fattier locations!
TJ
__________________
Goal #1: Lose 10 pounds... Ask and it shall be given, seek and YOU shall find....
"It doesn't matter how slowly you go... as long as you don't stop!" -- Confucius To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Did I use too much NPC? 
I have been spotting several times a day for a week straight, and I have had fairly painful cramps for most of these days at the times when I am spotting, but there is no flow whatsoever. The spotting occurs at very regular intervals (starts in the morning and completely stops by early afternoon hours only to return lightly in the early evening before ceasing completely once again). I did miss one dose of NPC because I was very tired and fell asleep one night before I got a chance to use the cream. Would this make the product fail for me this time around?
