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HORMONES -
PROGESTERONE USE SUMMARY

 

Start
 Progesterone Cream

Stop
 Progesterone Cream

Menstruating &
Ovulating

10-12 days after first
day of last period.

Days 26-30 or when next period starts
Menstruating &
Not Ovulating

10 days after first
day of last period.

Days 26-30 or when next period starts
Not Menstruating &
Not Ovulating

8th day of each month

 End of Month
 Irregular Menstruation & Ovulating

10-12 days after first
 day of last period.

Days 26-30 or when next period starts (there may be a lag between stopping NPC and the start of the next period)
 Irregular Menstruation &
Not Ovulating

10 days after first
day of last period.

Days 26-30 or when next period starts (there may be a lag between stopping NPC and the start of the next period)

Transdermal Progesterone Cream (TPC)

Where should I apply TPC?   While TPC can be applied to any part of the body, we suggest that for best results it should be applied anywhere on your body where you blush. One prominent scientist reports rapid absorption when applied to the hands. It is often recommended that it be applied to a different part of the body with each application and to parts where there is a minimum of fat such as behind the knees and on the chest.

How much TPC should I use?  TPC usage depends on your current hormonal and menstrual status. The following are general recommendations that should be confirmed or modified after consultation with your medical health care provider. Salivary hormone testing will provide information about your current levels of progesterone and help you assess the amount of natural progesterone that you need and the amount of TPC to use.  Ask us about saliva test kits.

The following are general recommendations that may need to be modified for your specific situation:

·          Women in their reproductive years – still ovulating.  In this case, women would normally take TPC for PMS, painful cramping with periods, menstrual irregularities, and to protect against osteoporosis later in life.  Begin using TPC after you have ovulated. Ovulation usually occurs about 10 to 12 days after your period begins.  Count the day the period begins as the first day.   Apply one pump amount of TPC (20 mg. of Progesterone USP) every day from day 12 to day 26. 

·          Women who are perimenopausal (still menstruating with menopausal symptoms and/or PMS but not ovulating).  Count the day the period begins as the first day.   Day 1 to 6, do not use TPC.   Day 7 to 27, Apply one pump amount of TPC (20 mg. Of Progesterone USP)  every day.   If your period begins early, stop using TPC while you are bleeding. Count the first day of bleeding as one day of the cycle and begin the cycle again.  

·          Women who are post menopausal.   Use a calendar day (e.g. the first day of the month) as day one. Day 1 – 12 apply one full pump of TPC once or twice daily.   Day 12 – 25 use one pump twice a day.  Day 26-30 or 31 – NONE.  Dr. John Lee suggests that the body be given a rest and progesterone not be applied during this period. We concur with this suggestion for most people.  Start again on the first of the monthly

·          Women with severe osteoporosis.  Day 1 – 25 use one to two pumps of TPC per day.   Day 25 – 30 (or 31) us none . Dr. Lee suggests that the body be given a rest and progesterone not be applied during this period.   Important Note: It is strongly suggested that you consult with a Health Care Practitioner to monitor your bone density while using TPC. Dr. Lee recommends that a bone mineral density analysis be conducted annually to monitor progress. Dr. Lee also notes that age has no effect at all on the effectiveness of progesterone when used for osteoporosis. For more information see osteoporosis.