NPC worked. Now what?

shortandsweet · 01-06-2009, 08:02 PM

I began using natural progesterone cream (NPC) the day after Christmas to induce my period after not having a real flow since July 2008. It worked. I had a very heavy period that is now just finishing up. I have a question though. When should I resume using NPC to try to get another cycle in a timely fashion?

I have used NPC once before to induce a period, and it also worked then. However, I didn't use the NPC again after having that period. I have never actually used NPC two cycles in a row. I hesitate to use it too much because it works so quickly and potently for me. I want to have shorter, more normal cycles. I do NOT want to end up on the opposite side of the PCOS spectrum (i.e. bleeding all the time instead of having long cycles and few periods). Neither extreme is healthy for one's body. I do not want to use NPC again if it is going to create new problems when it comes to my cycles that typically tend to be few and far between.

I got a period ten days into use the first time I used NPC. This time I got my period after seven days of use. When, if at all, would you recommend resuming NPC use this time around?

I applied a 1/2 teaspoon of NPC twice a day to induce my current cycle. I am considering dropping down to only a 1/4 teaspoon twice a day if I opt to use NPC again, but, like I mentioned, I don't want to give myself new problems if using NPC again will make me have too many periods.

HarleyGirl93 · 01-07-2009, 05:09 PM

S&S - the 28-day menstrual cycle is kind of mythical... Women's cycle lengths vary as much as women do. The key is that you want to ensure you shed your lining frequently enough, mimicking a reasonable cycle length, so that you are lowering/normalizing your risk for uterine cancers, and all the other stuff that is bad for you when you don't regularly shed that lining. Are you TTCing? If you are, you would want to be careful to not take NPC without verifying you aren't pg already... If you are TTAing, then it's just a matter of taking NPC after a reasonable amount of time (basically anywhere after CD21 (if it only takes 7 days to work) for a 28 day cycle). Taking NPC does not ensure you are ovulating. I would say you wouldn't want to go too much past a 45-day cycle, so that would mean starting NPC around CD35 to 38 or so. BTW, the heavy period you got this time might not be a function of how much NPC you used, but rather of how much your lining had built up since July 08. Good luck! Dianna

lookup051 · 01-09-2009, 11:36 PM

I'm also confused about when/ how long to use the progesterone cream. I haven't had AF in 5 months so I used it for 14 days, stopped, then on the 18th day got a period. Doesn't it only work to induce a period once it is withdrawn (after you stop using it)? Should I try using it around CD 14 this month? Should I try to see if ovulation occurs and then use it afterward, since that is when progesterone levels naturally increase?

HarleyGirl93 · 01-10-2009, 11:40 AM

Lookup - Usually bleeding starts after you stop progesterone. A woman's natural menstrual cycle has rising levels of estrogen (which causes more fertile quality cervical mucus) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH - which grows your eggs) and then a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH - which signals the release of the egg) just prior to ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone is produced to keep the oven warm in case the egg is fertilized, while the other levels of estrogen, FSH and LH taper off. If the egg is unfertilized and does not implant, then the corpus luteum (or place where the egg erupted from and what signals progesterone production) eventually decays and progesterone production tapers off. That drop off in progesterone is what signals the start of menstruation. If you have ovulated, but not concieved/implanted, you will still get AF, even if you are supplementing with NPC. It will just delay AF's onset as your levels of progesterone will be higher than they would have been, but NPC is not really enough to prevent AF if you are not pg and the corpus luteum is done, KWIM? Other cysters that are TTCing and use NPC prior to a BFP, still see their AF just a few days later than they would without NPC...

As to using it on CD14... are you TTCing? If so, you might want to start tracking your BBT to see if you have ovulated. Using NPC may not mean you are ovulating, as you might just be doing withdrawal bleeds rather than a real menstrual cycle. Ovulation is indicated by 3 sustained temperature rises. Those temp rises confirm that your body is releasing progesterone and that ovulation happened. Using NPC without confirming if you have ovulated could interfere with your cycle, if you start it too early (it will interrupt the rise in estrogen/FSH/LH. If you are TTA, then you might want to wait a bit longer than CD14, just to give your body time to perhaps ovulate even if you are tracking BBT. But I wouldn't go much longer than a 45 day cycle, just to ensure your lining doesn't build up too much. Sorry so long! HTH, Dianna

mizzstee · 01-21-2009, 07:22 PM

Harley girl, how do you take you fenugreek?..
i have hyponnid, but want to have that instead now..

thanks

mizzstee