Table of Contents
- 1 Progesterone Cream for Menopause: What It Is and How Does It Work?
- 2 What is Progesterone Cream?
- 3 What Are Progesterone Benefits?
- 4 Where to Apply Progesterone Cream
- 5 Where to Apply Progesterone Cream for Menopause
- 6 How Much Progesterone Cream to Use for Menopause?
- 7 How to Use Progesterone Cream for Menopause
- 8 What Herbs Are Good for Menopause?
- 9 Can You Take Progesterone Cream While Pregnant?
- 10 Conclusion
Progesterone Cream for Menopause: What It Is and How Does It Work?
Many women turn to progesterone cream for menopause symptom relief. Progesterone is a hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy. It’s also necessary for fertility. Applying progesterone cream to the skin can help replenish levels of the hormone and ease menopause symptoms as well. Its benefits are numerous. Learn more about how to use progesterone cream for menopause symptom relief in this blog post.
During menopause, progesterone levels decline. Low progesterone can lead to hot flashes (also called hot flushes), night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, constipation, brain fog and other symptoms often believed to be associated with estrogen balance. Another symptom of menopause is declining libido. Progesterone can help by improving mood and sexual function by balancing the 3 major hormones; estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
What is Progesterone Cream?
Progesterone cream is a transdermal (topical) cream meaning that it is taken in by crossing the skin’s layers. It contains the hormone progesterone. Bioidentical progesterone USP is identical to what your body makes naturally, when possible, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy as well as balancing other hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
What Are Progesterone Benefits?
Progesterone is not limited to menopause symptom relief. It also plays an important role in fertility and pregnancy. It helps prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and supports the early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone can be used to avoid miscarriage since it is necessary for fluffing up the lining to prepare it for the new life to nestle into.
Supplementing with natural progesterone cream also helps with the battle of a phenomenon of environmental and chemical estrogens called Xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens occupy the hormone receptor sites of real hormones and bring with them a plethora of hormonal imbalance concerns.
Where to Apply Progesterone Cream
There are many places you can apply progesterone cream. The most common areas are the wrists, upper chest and forearms. Others include behind the knees, inner thighs, and stomach. Applying progesterone cream to the skin can help replenish levels of the hormone and ease menopause symptoms.
When applying progesterone cream to the skin be sure to rub it on areas close to capillary blood flow. This makes it more readily available to transport through the blood since progesterone cream bypasses the liver and digestive tract. A more efficient delivery system helps to better replenish levels of the hormone and ease menopause symptoms or those associated with estrogen dominance.
When applying to the wrists, some say it is best to do so in a clockwise motion. For reasons unknown, this allows the body to absorb the cream better. Others say to apply it to the inner thighs and stomach, in a clockwise motion starting at your belly button. We would defer to the usual standard which is to apply it to thin skinned areas of the body so it penetrates more easily and to use more than a standard serving if your symptoms are severe or you are overweight.
No need to use much pressure. It will make its way in and you don’t want to cause irritation. It is also important to use clean hands when applying progesterone cream and to use a spoon or pump so you don’t contaminate the rest of the cream. This will ensure that there is no bacteria transferred to the skin or to the jar/bottle.
Where to Apply Progesterone Cream for Menopause
Though this similar to the question above, during menopause strong headaches or migraines can be common. Applying a little progesterone to the temples can help to stop the throbbing. Just a dab should do it.
If you’re using the cream to help with hot flashes, night sweats, or other menopausal symptoms, try applying it to the area of your body that’s experiencing the symptom. For example, if you’re having trouble sleeping due to hot flashes, you would apply the cream to your wrists and upper chest before going to bed or to your temples.
If you have any questions about where to apply progesterone cream for menopause, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider. They can help you figure out what’s best for you based on your individual needs and health history.
How Much Progesterone Cream to Use for Menopause?
If you are using progesterone cream to help with menopausal symptoms, it is important to use the right amount. Too much or too little progesterone won’t help you to achieve your hormone balance goals. The amount of progesterone you need will depend on your individual body and symptoms.
The best way to find out how much progesterone cream to use is to start with a low dose and increase it gradually until you find the amount that works for you. It is important to use the lowest possible dose that relieves your symptoms.
Common starting doses of progesterone cream are between 10-25mg per day for lighter symptoms both pre and post menopausal years. If you are using a good natural progesterone cream, it may be helpful to start with a higher dose (25-40mg separated into twice a day) and then taper down to a lower maintenance dose if your symptoms are relieved.
Some experience headaches when first using any kind of bioidentical hormone cream. This is because your body has to displace chemical hormones taking hormone receptor seats or because you need it badly. It will subside. Give yourself time to rest and time to heal from all that has been ailing you.
Progesterone cream should be applied topically, directly to the skin. It is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, where it can then travel around the body and help balance hormone levels. Progesterone cream can be applied once or twice per day, depending on the strength of the cream and your doctor’s recommendation if it is being offered. Twice is recommended since hormone levels fluctuate about every 12 hours.
If you are using a prescription strength progesterone cream, it is important to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully. Prescription creams usually come in different strengths, so it is important to use the correct strength for your individual needs. Make sure you are being given real progesterone and not molecularly altered lab creams.
How to Use Progesterone Cream for Menopause
If you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause, you might be considering using progesterone cream. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing menopause, some women find that using progesterone cream can help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and other symptoms. If your questions have not been answered in this article find others who have used progesterone; maybe someone who originally introduced you to the idea. Those who have already had success are a great resource.
Progesterone cream is available over the counter and doesn’t require a prescription. It’s typically applied to the skin once or twice a day. The amount of progesterone in the cream can vary, so it’s important to follow the instructions on the product label and the manufacturer’s website for suggested use.
What Herbs Are Good for Menopause?
There are many herbs that are traditionally used to help ease menopause symptoms. Some of the most common include black cohosh, red clover, chasteberry, and dong quai. Herbal supplements are widely available and can be found in most health food stores. Two herbal supplements with great success and reviews are Menopause Complex – another is DIM150. Both are helpful for the perimenopause and menopause symptoms alike. DIM150 is designed to balance estrogen and testosterone.
If you are already taking medications and considering taking a more natural, herbal approach, check with your doctor. Herbs can interact with medications as they bring relief; oftentimes causing a need for less of the medication.
Can You Take Progesterone Cream While Pregnant?
The advice of doctors worldwide suggests that progesterone cream while pregnant is absolutely not only safe but recommended. John R. Lee, MD based much of his writings on the importance of progesterone cream. Progesterone is a hormone that helps prepare the body for and maintaining a healthy viable pregnancy. For millions, using progesterone while pregnant can be the difference between delivering a healthy baby and miscarriage in the early stages. Progesterone is a key hormone in the development of your baby. If you think you might be pregnant talk to your doctor right away; especially if you have a history of miscarriage.
One more interesting thing is that progesterone cream can also be used as a natural form of birth control for women who are still cycling. When used in this way, it’s typically applied inside the vagina directly to the cervix (the opening of the uterus). Progesterone oil such as Cycle Balance Oil is better for this type of application. The key is to use more cream than usual, divide it by 2 times a day to keep it level in the body and instead of days 12 – 26 you would use it from around day 5-26, go off for a week and then begin again. This method is often used for those who have cysts and want to stop the estrogen rise for a few months in order to heal the ovaries.
If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal dryness, you may be wondering if progesterone cream can help. Progesterone cream is a popular natural choice for menopause symptoms, and many women find it to be effective.
To use progesterone cream, simply apply a small amount to the skin of your abdomen or inner thighs once or twice per day. You can also apply the cream to your breasts if you are experiencing breast tenderness. Be sure to follow the package directions for how much to use.
If you are using progesterone cream to relieve hot flashes, you may notice a difference within a few days. For other menopausal symptoms, it may take several weeks of regular use before you see an improvement. If you don’t see any improvement after 6-8 weeks of using progesterone cream, you want to have your hormones checked and possibly consider an adjunct therapy.
Though many health enthusiasts prefer to self-diagnose, it is always best to have hormones checked before trying to balance them yourself. Saliva hormone at-home test kits are inexpensive, simple to use, provide results in a short time and allow you to test in the privacy of your own home without waiting for an appt. These tests even come with inhouse doctor recommended suggestions.
Conclusion
There are many options available for menopause relief, but not all of them are effective for everyone. If you’re looking for an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, progesterone cream may be worth considering. Progesterone cream can help relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. It’s also been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety levels. If you’re struggling with menopausal symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether progesterone cream might be right for you. Restore your hormonal balance!