How to Use Natural Progesterone for Birth Control

Many women today are looking for natural, alternative methods of birth control. Using natural progesterone creams is one such method. Most birth control pills contain both synthetic progesterone and estrogen in amounts that work together to offer a high success rate in preventing pregnancy. Progesterone is a sex hormone that occurs naturally in both males and females. Natural progesterone cream is a mild form of birth control.

Things You'll Need

• Natural progesterone cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Consult with your medical provider about the best birth control method for you. There is a bit of confusion among women over using natural progesterone for birth control and using it to aid in conception. As a birth control method, it does work, albeit not with the same success rate as the pill. There is no study to prove specifically how well over-the-counter creams work; however, it is well-documented that progesterone can bring on a woman's period. In fact, it's often prescribed by medical doctors for that purpose.

• 2

  Decide which form of natural progesterone to use and purchase it. One type is available over the counter, and the other is available only with a prescription. Natural progesterone is produced from either soybeans or Mexican wild yams (Dioscorea Villosa). It is called a "bioidentical hormone" product because it has a molecular structure like our natural hormones. Micronized progesterone USP is the most effective form; however, it is only available with a prescription. Natural progesterone creams are sold over the counter. Both forms contain bioidentical progesterone, but the micronized version is more potent.

• 3

  Apply the natural progesterone cream during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Apply one dose to one area where you have thin skin, such as the neck, inner arms and legs, wrist, abdomen, breasts, hands, chest and even feet, until it is well absorbed. Today, there are a variety of commercially available progesterone creams. A cream with 1.7% of progesterone yields 20 mg of progesterone per application. It is best to use a metered pump to get exactly 20 mg. Twice-a-day applications are best, morning and night. Rotate the area of skin you apply it to so one site is not oversaturated. For example, in the morning you might apply one dose to your left wrist. At night, apply one dose on the neck, and so on.

• 4

  Supplement this natural birth control method with other methods to achieve a higher success rate. These might include condoms, a diaphragm, spermicidal foams or jellies, and keeping track of your cycle so you abstain from sex during your peak fertility phase.