Progesterone is an important hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle in women. Low levels of progesterone can halt ovulation, causing amenorrhea, or the cessation or delay of your monthly period. This can cause reproductive health problems in some cases. Progesterone is used as a supplement or a skin cream to treat amenorrhea and aid other reproductive health concerns. The herb chaste tree berry, or Vitex, also indirectly affects the hormone progesterone in females. It works by affecting the pituitary gland in the brain to balance other hormones such as estrogen, leading to a rise in progesterone levels. Progesterone cream can be taken concurrently with chaste tree berry supplements as recommended by your doctor.
Step 1
See your doctor about your concerns regarding missed periods or your fertility health. Your doctor can determine whether low levels of progesterone hormone are the cause. You might need a blood test for this diagnosis. Discuss taking chaste tree berry supplements and progesterone cream, if your doctor advises it is safe for you to do so.
Step 2
Purchase chaste tree berry supplements from a health food store. Look for supplements are standardized to contain 6 percent of the active ingredient agnusides. Read the product label carefully to ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
Step 3
Take the recommended dosage of 175 mg per day of chaste tree berry supplements. Alternatively take 60 drops daily of the tincture form of this herb. Continue taking this supplement for the duration recommended on the product label. Chaste tree berry might take some time to have an effect on the body's progesterone levels. Talk to your doctor or naturopath about how long this may take.
Step 4
Purchase progesterone cream from a health food store. Read the information carefully to understand how to use this product. Progesterone cream should only be used exactly as directed. The recommended amount of progesterone contains a dosage of 100 to 200 mg per day.
Step 5
Begin using progesterone cream when you ovulate or approximately 14 days before your period is due. Alternatively, choose a 28 day cycle in which to apply this cream beginning on any day to stimulate your menstruation cycle. Massage the cream on the skin over your abdomen or thighs, until it is absorbed. Continue this once or twice daily to balance progesterone levels.
Tips and Warnings
- Progesterone levels are affected by stress, which may affect your treatment using progesterone cream and chaste tree berry supplements. This occurs because the stress hormone cortisol is produced from your body's natural supply of progesterone. During stressful periods, progesterone is converted to cortisol causing irregularities in menstruation.
- Do not use progesterone if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using progesterone cream and chaste tree berry supplements as they can induce a miscarriage. Some forms of progesterone cream may contain peanut or other oils. If you have a nut allergy, be sure that it does not contain these oils. If you develop a rash on the skin after using the cream, stop using it and consult your doctor. If your menstruation cycle does not become regular, see your doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Progesterone cream
- Chaste tree berry supplements
References
- BabyHopes.cm: Vitex
- Drugs.com: Progesterone
- ProgesteroneTherapy.com: How to Use Progesterone Cream
- Natural Health Solutions for PCOS: Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry) and Progesterone Cream
- Journal of Clinical Pharmacology; Over-the-Counter Progesterone Cream Produces Significant Drug Exposure; Herman AC et al, 2005
