Hey everyone! I noticed we have many cysters asking for info on NPC, and I decided to post my little "tutorial" I wrote on *how I use it and how it works for me*. This is not necessarily what will work for everyone, but it's what I've found works best for me, and hopefully it can help someone else out in the process!
To bring on AF: Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (just use a regular kitchen measuring spoon) once daily. The tube/jar/carton might say up to twice a day, but once daily works wonderfully for me. Use it for 14 days, or until AF shows, whichever comes first. If AF doesn't show up in 14 days, stop using the cream, and the withdrawal of progesterone should bring AF. If you get AF before the 14 days are up, Congrats! LOL I usually get AF after about 11-12 days of using the cream. If AF doesn't show up after about 7-10 days of using the cream, begin the 14 day regimen again.
After O, or to help sustain PG until another form of progesterone can be prescribed: I start using the cream again at 3DPO, after I have confirmed ovulation with OPK or sustained temp rise on a BBT chart. Use it until AF shows or pregnancy is confirmed. I personally would continue using it until I can get on some other form of progesterone support since low progesterone is a leading cause of miscarriage for some cysters. Usually doctors will keep us on progesterone support for the first 12 weeks (first trimester), when the placenta begins to take over production of progesterone. Most cysters that have low progesterone will need oral supplements or suppositories, but the cream gives you enough of a boost during the 2WW.
Where to apply: You can rub the cream anywhere that the skin is thin, so it's readily absorbed. I use neck, chest, inner arms, inner thighs, stomach, face, and you can also use the soles of your feet. Make sure to rub it in thoroughly, because it's kind of thick (at least mine is). I always use it after a shower when my skin is warm (the pores of the skin and capillaries just under the surface of the skin are more dialated from the heat of the shower and can absorb it quicker).
What brand: I use the brand from WalMart, it's "Rexall" brand and says "menopause formula progesterone cream" on the jar. Pretty cheap, about $12 per jar. The brand doesn't really matter, as long as the cream contains at least 500mg USP progesterone per ounce and is not derived from wild yam. My cream that I use has 480 mg per ounce, and it works wonderfully for me.
Good info I've found on the net:
~Buy only creams made with USP progesterone. Looking for the USP label is the first and most important standard you should look for in a progesterone cream. USP (United States Pharmacopeia) products and ingredients conform to the legal requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Products or ingredients labeled USP also mean that they are produced in accordance with the principles outlined in the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices.
The USP label on progesterone cream also means that the cream contains a natural progesterone that the human body can assimilate. This is not the case with all "progesterone" creams - especially creams made from wild yam extract. Wild Yam cream IS NOT USP progesterone cream. This is an important point.
~Select a cream with 500 mg to 1000 mg of progesterone per ounce.
USP vs. Wild Yam Extract - BIG Difference!
Wild yam or wild yam extract that has not been processed in a lab is not progesterone, is ineffective and can create unwanted side effects. Even though wild yam contains diosgenin, the base molecule for
progesterone, there are no enzymes in the human body that will convert diosgenin into progesterone.
(above info taken from http://www.womens-menopause-health.c...er_Jul1603.htm)
***Disclaimer*** Again, this is just information that I have obtained through trial and error to find what works for me. I have used NPC for about 4 months now, and have great results from it. I am NOT a doctor (LOL) and am not trying to convert anyone to using something they're not comfortable with. I am simply a user and advocate of NPC. I hope this helps!
__________________ Rebecca ~ 35
DH Matt ~ 39
Married 11-20-04
TTC for 5 years...never pregnant.
Hoping for a miracle...
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Last edited by Rebecca527; 03-30-2006 at 07:25 PM.
Great info Rebecca, thanks! Before your post I was trying to do a little research myself and found this link: http://www.johnleemd.com/store/faqs_progest_crm.html. It's not much more than what you said already, but a good resource.
I posted on a different thread and still wondering....
Now I got the Source Naturals NPC I found at a health food store...it was the only one at the time I found to say Natural progesterone cream. I didnt realize either way wild yam was not the way to go. I got to reading again and this jar does say its guaranteed to contain 500mg of progesterone per ounce and 22mg per 1/4 teaspoon. It says its natural progesterone USP from soy. But this also contains wild yam. So yeah...thats why Im still debating if this is ok to use or not. It worked last month, sort of...I had spotting and a little more than spotting but nothing I'd consider a full blown AF. But then I had gotten sick and missed a day here and there.
Any ideas? Should it be ok to continue with this as it contains a usp progesterone or trash it because it also contains wild yam extract? Would love to hear opinions. Going to Walmart to see if I can find the the one Ive seen mentioned before. Don't think I've ever seen it in Walmarts in California...but I'll ask.
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Me: 31
DH: 34
DD: 8
2 Dogs, 1 Cat
Married: 06-21-99
PCOS and IR dx 07-31-03
__________________ Me: 29/DF: 29
Dx: PCOS 2001
Sx: 40lbs overweight, excess hair, irregular periods, skin tags
Meds: multi vitamin and Metformin (500mgs)
Diet: Low fat, moderate carbs, and moderate protein
Exercise: It's hard, but I try to exercise each day
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“I may not be a 10, but the boys say I clean up good!” -Gretchen Wilson
OK, so I just want to make sure before buying anything. Since DH and I are TTC, I can use NPC at 3DPO to "encourage" (for lack of a better word) a fertilized egg to stick?? But I wouldn't want to start using it until the 3DPO, right??
Also, I've heard that you should apply it to your abdomen, but location doesn't matter as long as I apply it to an area of thin skin.
Should I ask my RE about it or is it safe enough to use for anyone??
I'm so new to all these meds, herbs, creams, pills, etc.....
__________________
Becky (30) & Greg (33)
Furbaby - Jake - 2/4/98 - 10/3/09
Furbaby - Daisy - 9/18/08
Kaitlyn Ann - 3/1/08
Molly June - 2/13/09
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OK, so I just want to make sure before buying anything. Since DH and I are TTC, I can use NPC at 3DPO to "encourage" (for lack of a better word) a fertilized egg to stick?? But I wouldn't want to start using it until the 3DPO, right??
That's right...using it too early, or before ovulation is confirmed can actually interfere with ovulation. But, yes it does support the fertilized egg during the implantation process. It also adds a progesterone boost during the 2ww, since low progesterone is common for PCOS women, and it can lead to implantation problems or early miscarriage. In my opinion, every little bit of an advantage you can give that possible baby is best!
Quote:
Also, I've heard that you should apply it to your abdomen, but location doesn't matter as long as I apply it to an area of thin skin.
Yes, anywhere the skin is thin. I usually use my chest, neck, inner arms, and sometimes even my legs if I've just shaved (the cream is very thick and moisturizing...perfect for dry post-shaving skin!).
Quote:
Should I ask my RE about it or is it safe enough to use for anyone??
You can ask your RE if you're concerned about it, but it's really much safer than even oral progesterone such as provera or prometrium from what I've read. It's very gentle and doesn't have the bad side effects that can accompany the synthetic drugs.
Quote:
I'm so new to all these meds, herbs, creams, pills, etc.....
Don't feel bad...everything I've learned has been through trial and error, and a lot of internet researching and good old advice from my cysters!!! I'm glad the info was helpful to you, it makes me feel good to be able to lend a helping hand! Good luck to you while TTC!!!
__________________ Rebecca ~ 35
DH Matt ~ 39
Married 11-20-04
TTC for 5 years...never pregnant.
Hoping for a miracle...
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EXCELLENT Info !! I am thinking of ding a Shut Down for the next couple months! Hoping too restore my body.. I already knew this, but Gosh.. you posted every thing, anyone who uses NPC needs too know..Well done and Thank you!
__________________ My Pitiful Chart!
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Last year I had to use NPC to get my bleeding to stop. I had been having a period for going on 3 months. My old doctor tried putting me on BCP to stop the bleeding but I had a bad reaction to the pills and was getting very sick from them. Then a friend of mine who years ago went through something similar told me to use NPC twice a day until the bleeding stopped. Within 5 days of starting on the NPC the bleeding had stopped. I then went to a different doctor who diagnosed me with PCOS and put me on Metformin and my cycles have been more or less regular since then. However I still have a shortish LP (about 9 to 11 days give or take) with spotting for several days before AF. So this cycle I have decided to use the NPC again but during the 2 ww. For all I know that has been causing me not to get pregnant (along with other assorted male/female problems). I am so glad I found this thread. Today is 3 DPO for me so I started the NPC today. I hope it helps.
Hi - I know I'm late in getting in on this thread but I just joined soulcysters. Great info -- hope it's ok if I clarify a couple things.... It's fine to use USP progesterone which is made from wild yam. That's the most common source and as long as it says USP, it's bioidentical progesterone. It's NOT the same as wild yam cream, which of course isn't what you want, although it probably won't hurt you. (I didn't see a reply to Jen's Q about npc with wild yam - should be fine as long as it has the real USP progesterone in it - sometimes the np creams also contain other herbs etc. - sorry this answer wasn't very timely.)
Also Prometrium is not a "drug," it's a prescription-strength oral form of natural progesterone and as such it does not cause the bad side effects of drugs like Provera. Natural progesterone also comes in a prescription vaginal gel form or your gyn may tell you that you can use Prometrium pills as vaginal suppositories at about half the oral dose per day. The benefit is that your liver doesn't get the workout that it would processing the oral form.
A few more ideas for where to use npc are the bbs, inner wrists, and backs of the knees.
Anyone considering a "shutdown" may want to look at the shutdown faq on infertilityworkshop.com which has some helpful info.
And finally, if you're using npc and you get pg, DON'T STOP using it or you could risk m/c. Use it through the first tri tapering off gradually.
Awesome info. I had tried another brand of NPC that also contained estrogen and it didn't work for me. I just got home from Wal-Mart with the Rexall brand, so I'm really glad that's what you posted about. I can't wait to start it!
__________________ He Loves Me!
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2 angels To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. : "Jaden" ~ M/C @ 6wks 8/25/04 "Baby" ~ M/C @ 5wks, 5dys (01/06/2007)
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NPC~ Natural progesterone cream information 
