---

Progesterone and fertility go hand in hand because it is the hormone produced right after you ovulate. It's what causes the basal body temperature to rise on a fertility chart.

Many physicians will run a progesterone test to see if a woman has ovulated (Normally this test is run on cycle day 21. This is under the assumption that ovulation took place on cycle day 14. The results can be mixed if ovulation occurred earlier or later than day 14.)

Low progesterone can be detected by charting fertility signs. If your basal body temperatures are at or below the coverline, then it may very well be from a progesterone deficiency. Another sign of a progesterone deficiency is if your luteal phase is less than ten days.

You can raise your progesterone levels several ways

1. Go to the doctor and get a prescription for progesterone pills or suppositories.
2. Take vitamin B6 daily.
3. Take vitex the first half of the cycle.
4. Use a natural progesterone cream.

The first one requires a prescription for the doctor. The latter 3 can be bought over the counter. The cream, while marketed more towards the menopausal women, has great benefits for progesterone and fertility. My top choices are vitamin B6 and the natural progesterone cream. It's because I've used both with great success.

The proper way to use progesterone cream for fertility is to wait until ovulation has been confirmed.

Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day for 14 days OR until the menstrual bleeding shows OR throughout pregnancy. Apply it to thin skin areas such as hands, inner arms, neck, chest, belly, lower back and inner thighs. Rotate the areas every 3 days or so. (I change spots daily.)

Natural progesterone cream is safe to use. I had a history of early miscarriage, preterm labor and premature birth. When I began using the cream I prevented all the above.

Please note that if a miscarriage occurs as a result of something being wrong with the fetus, then the cream won't prevent those. Only if miscarriages are caused from low progesterone will the cream aid in helping to maintain the pregnancy.

When searching for a good progesterone cream make sure it has 100% all-natural ingredients. Make sure when finding a cream for progesterone and fertility that it has no black cohosh, dong quai, ginseng or evening primrose oil in it. These herbs are harmful to use after ovulation as they are a uterine stimulant. I use Happy PMS Cream.

Do more research on progesterone and fertility to see if you feel that progesterone cream would be right for you. Discuss it with your healthcare provider. The above advice is strictly from my own personal experience and opinion.