Should I take progesterone?
Question
I've been on birth control pills for about three years. I've been reading online about estrogen dominance. I'm afraid that I've developed this from the use of the pill, so I stopped taking the pills about two months ago. I also read that taking a natural form of progesterone cream (not from wild yams) will help you to get rid of the estrogen dominance. I want to begin using NFP as my form of contraceptive. Is estrogen dominance a real condition? And if so if I begin using the progesterone cream will it affect my temperature and/or mucus since progesterone is a cream?
Please let me know,
Melissa
Answer
Last Updated: September 25, 2013
Dear Melissa,
My suggestion to you is that you begin charting your cycles, as this will provide valuable information as to your hormonal balance. However I would give your body time to recover from the effect of the pill, as it can take several months, or longer, to return to normal.
If you chart the detailed characteristics of the mucus, it will be a strong indicator of the balance of your hormones. Of help as well is the length of your luteal phase, and the characteristics of your menses.
If your chart indicates you might benefit from supplementing with a natural progesterone, blood tests can be conducted at the precise days of your cycle they are needed. If that confirms a need for progesterone, the knowledge you have gained about your body after charting several cycles will be essential in timing any progesterone supplementation.
Progesterone will only be helpful if you need it, and use it at the correct time in the appropriate dose.
We have a list of NFP Professionals on this site who can assist you. You might contact one near you, to inquire as to their familiarity with progesterone support.
Sheila St. John
My suggestion to you is that you begin charting your cycles, as this will provide valuable information as to your hormonal balance. However I would give your body time to recover from the effect of the pill, as it can take several months, or longer, to return to normal.
If you chart the detailed characteristics of the mucus, it will be a strong indicator of the balance of your hormones. Of help as well is the length of your luteal phase, and the characteristics of your menses.
If your chart indicates you might benefit from supplementing with a natural progesterone, blood tests can be conducted at the precise days of your cycle they are needed. If that confirms a need for progesterone, the knowledge you have gained about your body after charting several cycles will be essential in timing any progesterone supplementation.
Progesterone will only be helpful if you need it, and use it at the correct time in the appropriate dose.
We have a list of NFP Professionals on this site who can assist you. You might contact one near you, to inquire as to their familiarity with progesterone support.
Sheila St. John
Answered By:
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, coordinating the non-profit’s education and advocacy efforts throughout the state. Initially attracted to NFP as a healthy, effective method for planning families, drug, device and surgery free, her passion for NFP has grown over the last 42 years as she has journeyed with the over 900 couples she has personally instructed in its use, and been privileged to witness its role in overcoming infertility, women’s health, and the transformation that occurs in lives of men, women, and families, when we embrace God’s design for love and life.
