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Post by ouchy on Apr 8, 2007 12:39:23 GMT -5
Howdy. I've never heard of having to do saliva checks to check for ovulation before using the cream. I just charted my temps., and when I would see a dip and then a rise in my temp, I'd start using the cream until I got my period. (I was using the cream to lengthen my luteal phase. I never noticed a difference in endo pain, personally, but everyone is different.
Please post all questions re: mirena coil in a related thread (I posted the links for you on your other thread.) Note to other posters: Mirena info doesn't go in the progesterone thread. Thanks.
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Post by puddleduck on Apr 8, 2007 15:20:21 GMT -5
Hi Ouchy, Apparently the saliva checks are to find out whether you have ovulated before using the cream. It's all to so with the patterns in the saliva which are similar to what is seen in cervical mucus over the menstrual cycle. The saliva checks are also meant to be a guide to how well the body is absorbing the progesterone from the cream, as it cannot be measured through blood tests. Thanks for the note about the temperature checks. I will get hold of a thermometer.
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Post by ouchy on Apr 8, 2007 17:55:03 GMT -5
Yes. I know about saliva microscopy and ovulation. That actually shows approaching ovulation, though. Many women get full ferning and never ovulate (confirmed by blood progesterone test, "P4."), so saliva microscopy is not a determination of whether or not you did ovulate, even with full ferns. It does not mean that ovulation is actually happening or did happen; it only means that ovulation could be approaching. You need either a progesterone test ("P4" test), an ultrasound before and after to make sure the follicle actually ruptured, or you can do it the easy way, and watch for a sustained thermal shift due to the corpus luteum producing progesterone to make sure that ovulation actually took place, followed by your period or + preg. test. Also, some women like me never saw ferning at all, and I've had ovulation confirmed by ultrasound, P4 test, thermal shifts, and a current pregnancy. It just doesn't work for everyone, especially those who have hormone problems, and I even tried it w/ cervical mucus under a real microscope. I would see thickening of the saliva that would match up w/ my OPK's, but I never got to see ferning or even a transitional slide (likely due to my sucky estrogen levels). It does work for a lot of women, but isn't a sure bet that ovulation will absolutely take place. From one book I've read, saliva microscopy is actually not better than checking the consistency of your cervical mucus, which can actually be almost eggwhite and still not result in eminent ovulation. As far as the progesterone cream working for me, it was easy to tell with my charts, since I was using it to lengthen my luteal phase. Without the cream, I had an average luteal phase of about 10 days. With the cream, I had an average of 13 days (much better odds for sustaining a pregnancy). My OBGYN, who is also a fertility specialist, recommended doing it this way, and it was really cool to see what my body was doing. I don't think that any of the medical clinics I know of use saliva testing for much other than DNA tests, STD's of the mouth, and the quick HIV tests (although most still use blood for that). I think that the ones that check for estrogen through saliva are the little places where you can do home tests and send them in. These types of saliva tests for estrogen seem to be popular among women on endo forums, even though I've never heard of anyone reporting that a medical doctor told them to do it, only a naturopath.
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Post by puddleduck on Apr 11, 2007 12:32:12 GMT -5
Hello Peeps,
The info on signs of ovulation is really helpful. It reminds me of university days when I used to go to the talks at the Catholic chaplaincy with friends (although I'm not Catholic) and they taught us all about the fertile signs and cervical mucus checks. Can't say it's been much help to my friends as contraception, though!
I've been doing some reading of Dr Susan Evans's book called "Endometriosis and Other Pelvic Pain" (she's an Australian endometriosis expert). There's a section in her book written by a complementary therapist called Dr Margaret Taylor regarding effective dosages of natural progesterone cream. Here's what she says: "The normal progesterone script is either a 1.5 or 3 per cent cream. Higher doses may be required for pain management in endometriosis. In fact, levels around 54-60mg (5-6 per cent progesterone cream) may be necessary and appear to be well tolerated. Symptoms of excess progesterone are sleepiness and sluggishness and most women will find they can or should reduce their dosage of progesterone after a few months. However, attempts to go below, say, 4 per cent progesterone (40mg/gm cream() may allow symptoms to recur. You may get oestrogenic symptoms at first, so it helps to have a doctor who can guide you, so you don't give up too soon. It can be used in conjunction with the Pill, as it does not interfere with the contraceptive effect, and it should help with some of the side effects as well as possibly reducing the endometriosis."
I hope this is useful.
xx
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Post by ouchy on Apr 11, 2007 12:34:53 GMT -5
I know a lot of people have the progesterone compounded specifically for their needs. That might be something to check in to as well.
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viper
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by viper on Apr 11, 2007 23:31:14 GMT -5
Just checking in--the cream is finally working for me! I had been using it from ovulation to menstruation (and it was helping a little), but then I couldn't remember where I had read those dates (other than here) and did some research. Pretty much everywhere I looked (including the Endo-Resolved site itself and the sites that sell the cream) recommends day 6-26 or so depending on personal cycle, so I changed to that. SO much better, especially post-menstrual and when my gf's PMS was hurting me. I'm not trying to get pregnant or anything--is that why there is such a split between the two camps of when to start applying? I have to say, it's a bit cheaper to go the other way, but I'm getting much better results this way.
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Post by ouchy on Apr 11, 2007 23:36:02 GMT -5
Nah. NOthing really do do w/ pregnancy. Just mimics a normal cycle (after ovulation is when the progesterone rises). Glad it is working for you. BTW, you should post an intro so everyone knows who you are!
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Post by denna on Apr 24, 2007 4:29:05 GMT -5
hi
i think you are rite ouchy that my LP is short..i think i will need this cream. the problem is i have check the link you gave (from other thread) but she has nothing on sale. i have checked other brand and have contact sellers if they 'll send it to my place..anyway, can it be found in any health shop in the states? will find and buy it there if nobody is sending it here...
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Post by ouchy on Apr 24, 2007 11:41:29 GMT -5
Hey, den. Your temp. didn't fall until after 10DPO, so that is a good sign. If you still want it, you can probably get it at any good health/nutrition shop.
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Post by puddleduck on Apr 30, 2007 13:52:06 GMT -5
Hi there,
I began using Pro Juven USP natural progesterone on 19th April when my doctor prescribed it. I had been bleeding non-stop for 16 days, so she said to begin using the cream twice a day immediately. I did and it dried up the bleed within a few hours! I'm now on CD 27. Ordinarily I'll be using the cream from CD 5 to 26. Should I stop using the cream now and wait for a period before using it again, or consider the first day of using the cream as day 1?
I'd appreciate anyone's experience with this.
Many thanks,
Puddleduck
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Post by ouchy on Apr 30, 2007 14:15:47 GMT -5
I'd say if a doctor proscribed it for you, then you should contact the doctor.
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misa
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by misa on May 2, 2007 7:49:58 GMT -5
Has the cream helped with PMS? I get lke 2 weeks of PMS and its upsetting me and killing my relationship! I turn into a demon after ovulation!
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Post by puddleduck on May 21, 2007 15:31:07 GMT -5
Has anyone noticed easy bruising as a side effect of natural progesterone cream?
I've noticed bruising on my inner thighs and arms where I've used the cream, and none of the marks is attributable to bumps or knocks.
Apparently this can be due to vitamin C, K or quercetin deficiency, or corticosteroids. I have to use a budesonide nasal spray for allergies, so perhaps it's related to the spray (but I've never ever had bruising while using the spray until now).
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Post by ouchy on May 21, 2007 17:51:18 GMT -5
Hum. I've never heard of it causing bruising. Try using it on your abdomen to see if you get the weird bruising there as well. I used it for over 3 months straight--every day for my pregnancy, and I didn't get any bruising.
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Post by nastia on May 21, 2007 20:00:12 GMT -5
Nah. NOthing really do do w/ pregnancy. Just mimics a normal cycle (after ovulation is when the progesterone rises). hi there sorry might be a silly question: does ovulation still can take place if using progesterone cream from day 6 of menstrual cycle? and what are the chances to get pregnant while using the cream? thanks
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