Contraception and Natural Progesterone

Theoretically, a surge of progesterone in the body, prior to ovulation, would ‘trick’ the biofeedback mechanism between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the ovaries that ovulation has already occurred, thus inhibiting ovulation. And without an egg being released from either ovary, conception cannot take place.

But this is in theory only. We don’t know what safe level of topically applied progesterone would be required to inhibit ovulation for the purpose of contraception.

Dr Dalton maintains 100mg (10%) progesterone applied from day 8 until menstruation should be adequate for contraception, increasing dosage if you have a history of PMS.

Just be mindful of the fact that progesterone primarily enhances a woman’s fertility. When applied at high doses PRIOR TO ovulation, you can potentially create a psuedo-pregnancy state that would suppress ovulation. But until more conclusive evidence is available, our website advises women NOT to rely on progesterone supplementation as a form of contraception.

We believe, in the future, natural progesterone will be developed as a natural form of contraception just as it is now being administered in fertility clinics to help sustain pregnancy.

Please note, you cannot use the Contraceptive Pill and natural progesterone concurrently and get good benefits, since both will compete for the same receptor sites. And progestogens used for fertility control (OCC) are NOT natural-to-the-body progesterone. They have two very difference molecular configurations. Progestagens (in The Pill) is designed to stop fertility whereas natural progesterone made by the body enhances and maintains conception. Having made the distinction, you can see why the two are not compatible when used together.

The Morning After Pill

Some of the women in our Network on natural progesterone cream have resorted to using the The Morning After Pill for the purpose of abortion.

It has been observed that women experience a huge backwards step as a result of the high levels of progestogens introduced into the body, short term. The effects have varied with each woman. We cannot determine how long it takes for the progestogens to move off the receptor sites to allow progesterone access once again.

Women have asked us if they should stop progesterone when using The Morning After Pill, and we suggest they continue on with progesterone supplementation as usual, otherwise it could cause a greater disruption to their cycles.

Contraceptive Update: Does progesterone increase HIV

Hormonal contraceptives provide effective protection against pregnancy, but offer virtually no protection against STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), including HIV.

A recent animal study has raised questions about the connection between hormonal contraceptives and the risk of HIV infection.

The finding raises the possibility that contraceptives containing progestins, which are synthetic versions of the natural hormone progesterone, may increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection among humans. Oral contraceptives, injectables, Norplant and the LNg-IUD contain progestins.

Artificial progestins, which are synthetic versions of the natural hormone progesterone, are used in all hormonal methods. While several studies have attempted to explore the relationship between HIV infection and progestin-containing contraceptives, the relationship remains unclear.

Some researchers suggest the possibility that certain physiological changes that may be caused by progestin use may increase susceptibility to HIV. These include, for example, the thinning of the vaginal lining.

Predicting ovulation for contraceptive purposes

During a woman’s menstrual cycle, there are only about 3 days (72 hours) when her egg is available for fertilisation. Sperm can survive up to 72 hours (3 days) in the vagina and uterus, so if sexual intercourse occurs up to 3 days before a woman is fertile, she can still potentially become pregnant. Thus, there are about 6 days per month (3 days prior to fertility, and 3 days of fertility) that a woman can conceive.

There are devices on the market now that detect fertility through saliva method. This fertility detector device is a hand-held mini-microscope about the size and shape of a lipstick holder.

It is scientifically well established that hormones filter into saliva and that during fertility a ‘ferning’ pattern can be seen in saliva under a microscope. Just prior to or during fertile days the sample will typically resemble “ferns” while during non-fertile days, only random and shapeless ‘dots’ will be visible.

Cycle awareness can be especially helpful for women who tend to have anovulatory cycles (no ovulation occurs, infertility results, no progesterone is made by the ovary). If you know that you haven’t ovulated in any given cycle, and thus your ovary won’t be producing progesterone, you can then supplement with progesterone that month and avoid estrogen dominance symptoms such as PMS.

These kits come with a life-time guarantee, and can be used over and over again unlike the conventional urine tests to determine fertility that tend to be expensive, messy, and can only be used once.

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