When should progesterone cream be used during a monthly cycle?

Most sources of information, whether web sites or books advise women to start using progesterone cream on day 14 of their cycle.

This is wrong!

The cream should only be used from ovulation, for the last 14 days of the cycle. There are some women who have what is known as a defective luteal phase, which means that they start bleeding again before the fourteen days are up. If this is the case, using progesterone can help to lengthen it.

A defective luteal phase is often the cause of a miscarriage.

Our cycles can vary from as little as twenty one days to as long as thirty six*. The average is twenty eight days. This is the reason that the manufacturers of The Pill and HRT pack their product in twenty eight day cycles.

All women, irrespective of the length of their cycle, should start ovulating fourteen days before they start bleeding again. Progesterone cream should be started either at ovulation, if that is known, or fourteen days before the next period is due. If used earlier than ovulation, it will prevent this.

*NB...

• A twenty one day cycle... Ovulation should occur on day seven
• A twenty eight day cycle... Ovulation should occur on day fourteen
• A thirty six day cycle... Ovulation should occur on day twenty one

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