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No period. Not pregnant. Want to be pregnant. What shall I do?

by Rowan
(UK)

Hi there. Sorry, but I am spending most of my life reading this site and getting more confused by the day.

I started taking Pro-gest about three weeks ago, after being advised to start on day 8 of my cycle. It has made me feel just great in terms of mood and sleep. I feel calm and balanced for the first time in AGES. But I have been putting on a LOT of weight.

Then I discovered this site and realised that, at 40mg a day, this was far too small a dose and was probably causing the weight gain. So have now upped in to around 200mg (I have some Nat-Pro ordered). But my period is now around six days late. (not pregnant - did a test) My question is: shall I continue taking the cream until my period comes? Or shall I stop now?

And one last cheeky question...I would like to increase my chances of conceiving. But my cycle length is anywhere between 18 and 28 days. Usually around 25-27 days but there are lots of exceptions every year. I am in my 40s, so may not have time to wait and see if my cycles become more regular. So, given that my cycle is (and has always been) erratic, what day should I start using the cream after a period?

Thank you so much for all your time and effort

Comments for No period. Not pregnant. Want to be pregnant. What shall I do?

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Sep 09, 2012
 No period. Not pregnant. Want to be pregnant. What shall I do?
by: Wray

Hi Rowan It is all very confusing! Particularly as there are so many conflicting opinions about How to use progesterone cream. In fact I did a page on some of the Progesterone Misconceptions to clear up a few. Plus another on Menstruation. If following a cycle progesterone should be used during the luteal phase only, so why you were told to start it on day 8 beats me. It can upset the cycle too, often making it earlier or later than normal. But you don't have a normal cycle length, which makes it somewhat difficult! Has anyone checked for PCOS, as this causes erratic cycles. You say your period is now six days late, from day 18 or day 28? Your question is not cheeky! If on the whole it ranges between 25-27 days, I suggest you take the average of 26 days as your cycle length, it's a start. Normal cycle lengths vary between 21 to 35 days, making 28 days the average only. A normal luteal phase is always, in all women 12-14 days long, and occurs during the days prior to bleeding. If shorter it's termed a defective luteal phase. The follicular phase can last anything from 7 days to 59 days, see here. Although the chances for conception are best if it's between 7-21 days. So we have to assume you ovulate ±10-12 days before bleeding, if using 26 days as your cycle length. But it would be far better if you could get a mini-microscope. This shows when ovulation takes place, they are often available in chemists or health shops too. If wanting to fall pregnant, progesterone can be started during the 50 hour pre-ovulatory surge that occurs. This surge comes from the brain and is nothing to do with ovulation. But it's essential for the early luteal rise of progesterone that ensures the embryo embeds. This is explained on our Pregnancy page, there's more info here too. Continued below.
Sep 09, 2012
 No period. Not pregnant. Want to be pregnant. What shall I do? Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Rowan You live in the UK where vitamin D levels are often very low, please have a test done. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 175-250nmol/L and not the 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Birmingham Hospital send out test kits for £25, the results are sent by email. Please ignore their 'adequate' level of 50nmol/L, even the FDA set theirs at 75nmol/L. Vitamin D is essential for ovulation, a successful pregnancy, the growth of the foetus, particularly it's brain, and after during breast feeding. There are some excellent videos to watch on the pregnancy page. Another nutrient you could consider is taurine, also essential for the foetus. There's info on the pregnancy page. I feel if you could get the mini-microscope soon, it will make life a lot easier, unless of course you know when you ovulate each month. If you'd like to chat to someone in London, please contact Julienne via her website here. She can give advice on the progesterone and vitamin D too. Take care Wray

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