When you have low progesterone, it can be detected by a blood test after ovulation or by charting your fertility signs. If you chart (see my articles on Charting Basics to learn how to effectively chart), you can tell if you have low progesterone if your basal body temperature stays at or below the coverline. Another sign of low progesterone is if the luteal phase (the time from ovulation to menstruation) is less than 10 days.
There are several things you can do to boost the progesterone level. One is to go to the doctor and get a prescription for progesterone and/or a prescription for a fertility drug like Clomid. The other three are to take vitamin B6 and/or vitex- which helps to regulate hormone levels and/or to use progesterone cream. Progesterone creams can be purchased over the counter from health food stores. Progesterone cream is usually marketed toward the menopausal woman, but it can have great benefits for the younger woman. The only difference is how often you use it.
Usually a good progesterone cream should be used after ovulation has been established - at 1 or 2 days post ovulation till either menstruation happens or in the tenth week of pregnancy. This is because if you have a low progesterone problem, then by the tenth week of pregnancy, the placenta has taken over the corpus luteum in the production of progesterone. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day--applied to the neck, chest, belly, thighs, inner arms, face and hands--changing locations at least every 3 days. This is because the progesterone cream tends to build up on the skin, causing it to be tough. I used it twice a day and changed locations each time. I didn't put it on my face and hands because I wear make-up and I would rub the remainder into my hands each time I used it. I did notice at first that when I used it on my chest, I would have hot flashes there. It was just a reaction that didn't harm me and eventually went away.
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