When to use progesterone?

After multiple early miscarriages, many women are advised by their healthcare providers to turn to progesterone cream. How does progesterone cream work, and how does it help a baby stick around? Progesterone has many roles in the body, but it is also the hormone that the corpus luteum (a small part of the ovaries) sends out to regulate the luteal phase and send a message that the fertilized egg is ready to be implanted to the uterus. When not enough progesterone is produced, the luteal phase, which is the period from ovulation to menstruation, will be shortened. That means that, while eggs are able to be fertilized, they do not have enough time to implant into the lining of the uterus, and menstruation will start.

This is a common reason for early miscarriages, but not the only reason. If had one of more early miscarriages, or you have a short luteal phase, you might want to look into your progesterone levels. Low progesterone levels can easily be revealed by a blood test during the second half of your cycle. If you do have low progesterone levels, there are various steps you can take to do something to boost them. One option that many women who are trying to conceive choose is to enlist the help of fertility drugs such as Clomid. But Clomid has many side effects, and is not designed to lengthen the luteal phase. Progesterone creams might be more effective and less invasive in situations such as these. Doctors are able to prescribe progesterone, but there are also natural progesterone creams on the market that are very effective. These creams could help eggs implant into the lining of the uterus, as well as help preserve the lining (endometrium).

Often, this is enough to prevent early miscarriages. Progesterone creams can be used from the time ovulation starts till a day or so before the expected date of your menstruation. If you suspect that you could benefit from progesterone creams, please do consult with a doctor or midwife first, as there are also other reasons for early miscarriages, as well as other ways of lengthening the luteal phase.