Progesterone cream when TTC...after ovulation or once BFP arrives?

[NZmum40]

Hi all,
Long time lurker / first time poster ☺️

I get so much info from reading others posts but I can't find anything that specifically relates to my question which is regarding WHEN to start applying progesterone cream?

I've had a MMC and a chemical so far this year and I'm in my tww currently (only 5DPO)

I ordered some progesterone cream which arrived today but I'm unsure when to apply:

1. start applying twice daily from now on and until baby (if there is one!) reaches 12 weeks
   (I would stop applying if my period arrived and resume after I ovulated next cycle)

2. wait to start applying once I've received my BFP and continue for 12 weeks

My worry about starting now is that if I'm not pregnant then it will muck my cycle up for next month.
Thoughts and advice much appreciated!! X

Can I ask what cream you are using? I bought Pregnenolone to try this cycle and the next few. I read to take it from 2dpo until AF comes but this is to lengthen uteal phase. I have also read that if you do use it and get pregnant then to continue esp in the early stages as the drop can cause a miscarriage but I guess the true advice would be to speak to your doctor if pregnant. I'm trying the prior as Dr hasn't been useful for me! 🤣

Hi there,

I got the NOW Solutions (lavender scented) derived from wild yam.
There were some really good reviews and info relating to using it for TTC.
I haven't been able to find it anywhere for sale over the counter here in NZ.

I've hummed and hahhed about waiting till I get a BFP but in the end I applied it last night and this morning (so from 5DPO) and I'll stop if I get my period which is due in 9 days - but obviously I'm hoping that doesn't arrive!

Crossing fingers for both of us

Edited to add I ordered off Amazon and that's where I read the reviews and info from other women TTC

Ooh I'll have a look! Thank you! I'm 4dpo and applied from 2dpo (day and night). My luteal phase is normally 10 or 11 days-13 days so that's why I thought I'd try the cream. Please update me when when you get your bfp or AF and ill do likewise ☺. I'm UK so will have to see how easy it would be to buy here. Don't think we generally have over the counter progesterone cream unless a Dr prescribes it or buy it online!?

I had an embryo transfer yesterday and the clinic have got me on progesterone pessaries twice a day and injections every other day. If I get a BFP in two weeks they’ll give me more of both.
I’ve had missed miscarriages at around 6/7 weeks on both my previous attempts.

Everything crossed for you!

I watched a YouTube vid from a woman called 'Nikki Schuamacher offical' where she strongly credits progesterone cream for saving her baby when she had early spotting.
This is what got me going down the rabbit hole of info relating to the product.
It seems to be something they can readily buy in America (that was the impression I got) thankfully it only took a week for it to arrive to NZ when I ordered so now I need to ensure I re-order in advance so that I don't risk being without it and cause my progesterone to drop suddenly (if it does work)

TTC aside, it seems like a great product to aide skin health/mood swings/libido etc

Wow Sunbird, that's exciting! Wonder what dosage in total that equals?
The cream is 20MG per pump which I'm applying twice per day.

I'll definitely keep you both updated...I'll start testing tomorrow probably (too early I know but who can resist?) which will be 7DPO

I’ll have to check on the injections but the pessaries are 400mg each!
I’m not supposed to test until the 19th, but I’m sure I won’t be able to hold out that long… 🤭

Loops I just googled Pregnenolone...interesting that it's tied in with the adrenal gland.
I started taking an Adrenal Support multi Vit a few months ago so perhaps that will help me in some way too (I bought to help with fatigue rather than TTC)

@NZmum40 just FYI the cream made no difference this month! Trying vitex now to see if that helps. Will use cream at the end just to use it up but no luck for me just now

Hi @Loops01, sorry to hear you didn't have success this month.
I actually had a chemical pregnancy this month and the progesterone cream definitely held my cycle back a few days but once I realised the pregnancy was disappearing (fading positive PTs) I stopped applying the cream and my period came back after a couple of days.
So I'll start applying again after I ovulate next and hopefully the next bean sticks!

@NZmum40 @Loops01 Hi! I can see this thread was a while back now, do you mind if I ask for your outcomes please? I've been TTC for 3 months, which I know isn't long but my luteal phase is 11-12 days and I've read about progesterone cream, but don't know whether it's something I should self medicate with. Thanks!

Hi @dogmum93 (I have a new user name now)
Yep I'm still TTC and using progesterone cream on occasional cycles.
So far I haven't had a sticky baby though so it's hard to say if the progesterone helps or hinders the process.

I frequently get pregnant, that doesn't seem to be an issue at all. My problem is egg quality (likely due to age as I'm nearing 42 now)

I did a lot of research about progesterone and decided it was worth incorporating into my routine along with a range of vitamins. I only use the natural version which is a cream derived from wild yams.
There is however, an actual medical suppository you can get prescribed however from what I've read it can be challenging to find a doctor who will prescribe this.

I should mention that I definitely can extend my luteal phase when I apply the cream morning and night so it might be beneficial for you to try it :)

Sorry to hear you haven't had a sticky bean. Thanks for getting back to me! I might look into getting some of the natural one then! Good luck!

Hey has anyone had any luck with the progesterone cream? I’ve just tried it this month along with some herbal medicine from a herbalist. I’ve just started my period so it didn’t work but it did hold off the spotting!

No luck here @CatherineDa .what other herbs are you taking?

Aw sorry to here that. I’ve been taking vitex, black cohosh, red clover and ashwaganda. All mixed together and I mix it with water. It takes vile but hoping it works! There’s so many other things I want to try but everything is soooo expensive when it comes to fertility x

Tried those, no luck either but they do help somewhat with cycle/hormones if you take them correctly for more than 3m. Vitex on its own made my cycles worse though but depends how off things are in the first place. Good luck to you with it all.

Sorry they haven’t worked for you :( have you tried anything else? I’m following someone called Adelaide white on insta who’s going through infertility and I’ve learnt loads from her. Some of the stuff she’s tried I can’t afford yet but it’s definitely worth checking her out as she’s trying to conceive naturally rather than ivf x

Soy isoflavones is the only thing I've found actually do something. They bring ovulation forward but also stronger. I take inositol in general but I don't have pcos, it's just combined in my methyl folate. I've had ivf and that didn't work either. I'm on dhea and a testosterone like herb for the next ivf round. Constantly told everything is normal and within range and had loads of scans etc saying the same. Recently put on some weight due to all the hormones (they don't leave your body when you stop them sadly and really mess up your system over time) and the dhea and all the other herbal stuff doesn't help weight loss. I'm still only 25 on bmi so well within range for age and height etc but none of this is easy.

Aw sounds like you’re trying all the right things. It’s crazy how complicated it all is isn’t it! A few other options (these ideas I got from Adelaide white on insta).. check out fertilysis - they test for all different types of infections in your uterus which can affect IVF (I was a bit sceptical at first as it’s in Greece but seems worth while but I’m currently saving for that as it’s pricey!) and the other one is project life - Chinese medicine that people have used after trying IVF and has been successful when IVF wasn’t! Again something I’d consider trying once I’ve saved up, I’ve only just had laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis so I’m going to see what happens first.
It’s so hard isn’t it, sending baby dust your way x