Progesterone Cream and Fertility

There's a popular assumption that replacement hormones should be used at the first hint of infertility. In reality, fertility doctors take a more measured approach in treating patients who are having trouble getting pregnant. For starters, the probable cause of a woman's infertility is thoroughly investigated before a treatment is prescribed. This is because too much of certain hormones, like progesterone, can have undesired effects -- like making pregnancy even less likely.

So, before taking natural progesterone as a conception aid, have your progesterone levels tested. If it's determined that you have low progesterone, your doctor might recommend prescription progesterone. If he or she doesn't, then you can ask about natural progesterone cream.

Natural progesterone cream can be found at many health food stores and pharmacies. Look for creams that contain no ingredients other than progesterone, and be warned that Mexican wild yam cream is not a progesterone substitute.

To use progesterone cream effectively, apply around a 1/4 teaspoon (1.2 milliliters) to a fatty area of the body, such as the stomach, breasts or thighs. You should alternate where you put each dose. And don't overdo it; excess progesterone will only harm your chances of conceiving.

Knowing when to apply natural progesterone cream during your cycle can be tricky. Increasing your progesterone at the wrong time of the month could also work against your ability to get pregnant. This is yet another reason you should consult with a doctor when using the cream.

If you're looking to increase overall progesterone in your body without a cream or prescription, take more magnesium or vitamin B6 [source: Kittel]. Again, just make sure you check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements as they can have side effects or interact with other drugs and supplements.

Keep reading to find out just how low progesterone impacts your body and, more specifically, your ability to get pregnant.

A healthy reproductive system is a well-tuned machine in which multiple organs and processes work together to create ideal environments for conception and pregnancy. When any part of this system fails or doesn't live up to its ideal role, infertility can occur. The progesterone hormone is one of many reproductive "workers" in the body that can prevent fertility if it's not up for the job.

For example, progesterone is supposed to prepare the endometrium – the inner lining of the uterus -- for receiving a fertilized egg. If it doesn't, the egg will not implant, and the endometrium will continue toward the process of menstruation.

The progesterone hormone also counteracts the negative consequences of unchecked estrogen [source: Project Aware]. So some of the effects of low progesterone in the body are similar to those of high estrogen levels:

Of course, low progesterone isn't the only imbalance that can cause problems in a woman's body. High progesterone can also lead to fertility and health issues. We'll discuss that next.

If you're trying to get pregnant, you might think a lot of progesterone is just what you need. But too much of it can be just as detrimental to your pregnancy chances as too little because it can actually act as a contraceptive [source: Kittel].

And it's not just long-term high progesterone that's problematic. A one-time boost of progesterone into a body with normal levels can upset the process of conception by pushing the endometrium into sloughing and, thus, causing menstruation to begin [source: Jelovsek].

Other effects of high progesterone include tiredness, vaginal dryness, high insulin levels, decreased insulin sensitivity, weight gain, reduced sex drive and depression.

As you can see, tinkering with hormone levels is complicated and only advisable when a legitimate imbalance is present. To ensure you aren't exacerbating your infertility, see a specialist for guidelines on regulating progesterone levels -- if it's even needed at all.

To read about other fertility issues, check out the next page for lots more information.