CONTRACEPTIVES AND HRT USERS

Before using progesterone cream for the first time, please read First Time Users, How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance.

Contraceptives

I often encounter questions about the compatibility of BCP with natural progesterone. While it is indeed possible to use them together, one must consider that this may undermine the intended effects, right? Finding balance against the estrogen side effects associated with BCP would necessitate a significant dose of natural progesterone. It's crucial to exercise caution when choosing a medication-based contraceptive, as each option comes with its own set of potential risks! Some side effects include:

  • depression
  • increased risk of post natal depression
  • follicular cysts
  • insulin resistance
  • hair loss
  • lowered progesterone levels
  • increased risk of breast cancer
  • increased risk for invasive cervical cancer
  • DNA damage
  • elevates CRP leading to inflammation with a risk of future heart disease
  • can cause fatty deposits on the linings of arteries – raised cholesterol
  • platelet aggregation leading to blood clots
  • increases blood pressure
  • potential to exacerbate asthma

They consist of synthetic estrogen and can be paired with progestin, a synthetic variant of progesterone. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) provides even higher concentrations of estrogen.

If you have any questions about Natpro Progesterone Cream

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Here is a list of what certain contraceptives contain:

  • Mirena IUD – 52 milligrams of levonorgestrel
  • Provera tablets – 2.5, 5, and 10mg mexdoxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
  • Intramuscular injections – 150, 160, 400 mg/ml PMA
  • Yasmin tablets – 3mg drospirenone, 0.03mg ethinyl estradiol
  • Yaz tablets – 3mg drospirenone, 0.02mg ethinyl estradiol
  • Beyaz tablets – 3mg drospirenone, 0.02mg ethinyl estradiol
  • Alesse tablets – 0.10mg levonorgestrel, 0.02mg ethinyl estradiol
  • Apri tablets – 0.15mg desogestrel, 0.03mb ethinyl estradiol
  • Brevicon tablets – 0.5mg norethindrone, 0.035mg ethinyl estradiol
  • Ovral tablets – 0.3mg norgestrel, 0.03mg ethinyl estradiol

Contraceptives are intended to prevent ovulation, so is it any surprise that many women struggle to conceive when they desire to be pregnant? It may take months, or even years, for ovulation to resume due to significant imbalances within the ovaries.

Consider the Mirena IUD—it's potentially hazardous. Below is a list of conditions that may pose health risks if a levonorgestrel IUD is placed:

  • weight gain
  • pregnancy
  • postpartum puerperal sepsis
  • immediately after a septic abortion
  • before evaluation of unexplained vaginal bleeding suspected of being a serious condition
  • malignant gestational trophoblastic disease
  • cervical cancer (awaiting treatment)
  • active liver disease: (acuteviral hepatitis , severe compensated cirrhosis, benign or malignant liver tumours)
  • current or recent breast cancer
  • endometrial cancer
  • current Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • current purulent cervicitis, chlamydial infection or gonorrhoeal STIs  infection, or
  • known pelvic tuberculosis

Situations in which the theoretical or established risks generally surpass the benefits of placing a levonorgestrel IUD:

  • postpartum between 48 hours and 4 weeks (increased IUD expulsion rate with delayed postpartum insertion)
  • current deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE)
  • cenign gestational trophoblastic disease
  • ovarian cancer
  • very high individual likelihood of exposure to gonorrhoea or chlamydial STIs
  • active liver disease: (acute viral hepatitis, severe decompensated cirrhosis, benign or malignant liver tumours)

Safe means of Contraceptives

When used correctly, progesterone can serve as an effective contraceptive method. Unlike many drug-based contraceptives, it does not carry the adverse side effects associated with those alternatives. It should be initiated between 3 to 8 days before ovulation, depending on the cycle length. This timing helps to inhibit the estrogen surge that typically occurs 2 to 5 days before ovulation. This estrogen surge is essential for completing the final step leading up to ovulation. Please refer to the pregnancy page for further details on the mid-cycle hormone surge.

A study on progesterone contraception revealed a failure rate of 2.66 pregnancies per 100 women, which is competitive with other contraceptive methods. It's important to note that stress can reduce progesterone levels, leading to decreased protection. Consider increasing the dosage during stressful periods or opting for a temporary alternative method. Additionally, low levels of Vitamin D3 can also impact progesterone production.

Dosages of 100-200mg per day are recommended.

The Copper T It is the only IUD endorsed for use as it does not disrupt the body’s natural cycle. If you're worried about your copper levels, consider boosting your zinc intake; we should all be incorporating zinc into our diets regardless. Personally, I utilized it for many years and wouldn't hesitate to choose it again, but those days are now behind me!  Some reviews on Copper T



An alternative to the Copper T is the GyneFIX. This is also a hormone free, copper based intrauterine device.

The Tubal Ligation is another means of contraception. Please think very carefully about this invasive procedure as it can bring on so many adverse issues - PTLS see here, here and here.   The procedure can be reversed - Lakeshore Tubal Reversal Centre.

HRT

Here is a list of what certain HRT’s contain:

  • Vivelle-Dot patch – 0.025, 0.0375, 0.05, 0.075 or 0.1mg estradiol
  • CombiPatch – 0.62mg estradiol, 2.7mg norethindrone acetate or 0.51mg estradiol/4.8mg norethindrone acetate
  • Premarin tablets – 0.3mg, 0.45mg, 0.625mg, 0.9mg and 1.25mg of a mixture of conjugated estrogens, sodium estrone sulphate, sodium equilin salfate, sodim sulphate conjugates, 17CE +- - each dihydroequilin, estradiol derived from pregnant mares’ urine
  • Premarin injections - vial contains 25mg conjugated estrogens, 200mg lactose, 12.2mg sodium citrate, 0.2mg simethicone. PH is adjusted with sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid
  • Premarin vaginal cream – 0.625mg conjugated estrogens, sodium sulphate conjugates, 17CE =- - each of dihydroequilin and estradiol. No liquefying base containing cetyl esters wax, cetyl alcohol, white wax, glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol monostearate, methyl stearate, benzyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, glycerine and mineral oil
  • Prempro – 0.3mg (as for Premarin)/1.5mg MPA and 0.45mg (as for Premarin)/1.5mg MPA, 0.625mg (as for Premarin)/2.5mg MPA, 0.625mg (as for Premarin)/5mg MPA

Please read the HRT page, see here. There is absolutely NO WAY that I would ever consider taking the urine of a pregnant mare!!!

How it works

Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are provided in 28-day cycles. The initial half contains estrogen exclusively, while the latter half includes progestin, which may be paired with placebo pills. Supplemental progesterone should be utilized only during the second half of the Pill or HRT cycle. This guideline also applies to patch users. For alternative contraceptive methods or HRT, such as progestin-only options, injections, implants, and IUDs, progesterone should be taken daily.

NB:  2,000mg of progesterone (one tube of Natpro), divided by 28 days = 71.4mg progesterone per day.

This equates to 2.15ml of cream per day or almost 1/2 a teaspoon. Note that nothing less than 100mg/3ml of progesterone should be used daily, more if symptoms are severe.

  • 1 ml (1/5th tsp) of Natpro cream contains 33.3mg of progesterone
  • 2ml (2/5th tsp) contains 66.6mg of progesterone
  • 3ml (3/5th tsp) contains 100mg of progesterone
  • 4ml (4/5th tsp) contains 133.2mg progesterone
  • 5ml (1tsp) contains 166.5mg progesterone
  • 1/8th teaspoon (0.625ml) contains 20.8mg progesterone
  • 1/4tsp (1.25ml) contains 41.6mg progesterone
  • 1/2tsp (2.5ml) contains 83.2mg progesterone
  • 3/4tsp (3.75ml) contains 124.8mg progesterone
  • 1tsp (5ml) contains 166.5mg progesterone

A more detailed table on measuring progesterone cream can be found on How to use Progesterone Cream, see here.

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