I was on HRT for a couple of years, but came off in March to use the progesterone cream. I had a withdrawal period (2 weeks earlier than my 'normal' cycle), and have had nothing since. I use the cream at about 15-24mg a day, and have felt SOOO much better that I'm reluctant to stop, until my period arrives. But it doesn't! I did cut the dose way down for a few days, but still nothing. I was put on HRT when my FSH was high, but I was still having (erratic, heavy) periods then. Any ideas? I'm ONLY 45 (ha!), but have had a lot of meno symptoms.

Hi Jools!I'm 45 too and I've been on the cream for a few months. I have very irractic periods now, and so I was unsure of what to do about taking a break also.

After I'd been on the cream for about 5 or 6 weeks (and feeling wonderfully, marvelously better!!!) I did get a period.  I thought that I should go off the cream for a week, and so rather nervously, I did.

I felt fine. No hot flashes, etc. For about 4 or 5 days - and then with the speed of light, I sank back into the old funk - depression, irritability, weepiness, foggy brain, hot flashes, night sweats. I started the cream again - and it took about 2 weeks of using it in larger dosages to feel better again.

That settled it for me. I am NOT going off of it again. I have read that it's quite safe to stay on it continuously - and so I am. I have also learned from this that whatever changes I make in dosage or brands won't show any effects in me for about a week or two - so I'm going to have to make changes very gradually and wait for any symptoms to appear.

Nice to hear from you again Jools. I've missed you lately!

Jools & JeanMy periods have been erratic lately...having been on the cream for about 10 months...the doctor isn't too concerned the other month I had two periods in the space of the month.....enough is enough...but now they have ceased for the past 2 wks....just waiting for them to pack up and go for good....I have read that this is very common at our stage of the menopause when everything ceases........and as for myself I still use the cream from day 1 to 24 of  the month....which  helps immensely.Take Care sisters

From what I understand, the reason that you should take the weekly per month break from the cream, is so that your body doesn't get totally used to it and build up a resistance to it.  I think that if you don't take this break, it might not work as well.  The same is said for vitamins, or so I've read.

Hi Tori. Yes, I've read that too, about needing a break so your body doesn't get too accustomed to it. But, I've also read that it really isn't necessary.

I've been on the cream for nearly a year now. Last month when I got my last period, I tried again to take a week off (for the second time). What a mistake that was! The hot flashes came back after 5 days, and now, a whole month later, I'm still having them. I've increased the dosage to 4 times what I was using before.... and I'm starting to see a bit of relief, but I'm still flashing a dozen or more times a day.

It's been awful. I wish I'd never taken that break. Why did I mess with it when it was working so well??

Unhappily,Jean

we're supposed to take a break from vitamins?  Well i never heard this..but i don't think it would hurt with vitamins..its supposed to take 4 to 6 wks. for the body to feel full effect from a vitamin..so taking a wk. off..i don't think the body would notice much of a diff...

Well I'm so glad not taking the break is working for ya!If it ain't broke, don't fix it I guess. Maybe it is ok not to take the break.  When I take my break, I don't feel better or worse, just the same.RIght now I'm feeling horrible! I don't know if I should increase or decrease!  aaaarrrrrgggg!You increased to four times the amount? I wonder if I should go up then! I've been using 1/4 tsp twice a day and still have hot flushes, night heat, (I don't sweat profusely but not getting sleep) and no libido at all.I guess I could try increasing it and see what happens.How much are you using per day?  Would 1/2 tsp twice a day be too much for me I wonder?I hate this!

I'm currently using 1/2 twice a day of Progest - not all brands have the same amount of progesterone in it, though.

Before this unpleasant bout that I'm curently having, my maintenance dose was 1/4 tsp a day, but sometimes I used it twice a day. I guess one has to be flexible and adjust it accordingly.

I do have more libido and less depression and headaches when I use more of it. Too bad it's so expensive! (I live in Canada so international shipping charges, customs, US$ - it ends up being pretty expensive.)

I don't think you have to worry about overdosing or using too much. It's really a minute dosage compared to the forms of progesterone that come in pills, patches, etc.

I hope I feel better soon - and I hope you do too Tori. I'm fed up.

Hi Jean...I hope you start feeling better soon too!I will try upping my dosage and see what happens.  Also, I ordered the Phytoestrogen Cream and the libido pills from the company that also makes the Progest.  A friend of mine said she used the two creams together and it helped.  I think she used some Progest in the morning and the other at night. And, I've used the libido pills in the past and they seemed to help me then.My symptoms seem to point to my being estrogen deficient and I have no extra body fat to speak of.  But I'm hoping that upping the Prog. Cream might wake up the estrogen receptors that I do have.Also, I have IBS, and it's chosen now to get all out of control.  :(I've not had a period for several months and I'm on day 219 of my cycle. haha!You are not alone!

I have a question......actually two questions!I started using progesterone creme about 4 weeks ago and I have bleeding every single day.  Is that normal?  Does that mean that I need to be using more or less of the creme?  I have been using 1/4 teaspoon twice a day.  I am debating on whether or not to go off of it for a few days....but after reading other posts it seems that it's okay to stay on it.  Sometimes I think that I am feeling a little better....but it seems like it goes away as fast as it came.  I have not noticed any change AT ALL in my libido.  I want it back!Has anyone tried the progesterone creme on your face?My skin is really changing.....I need something.  I was going through a phase that I kept getting these break outs on my chin that seemed to never go away.  I tried everything and I couldn't get it to go away.  Then, I even ordered that stuff that is on the infomercial late at night with Vanessa Williams....know what I'm talking about?  Well, it seemed to take away the acne but it really dried out my skin.  Got any suggestions ladies?I really appreciate it!

I had some bleeding with the progesterone at first as well and my Dr thought it was because the estrogen in my body had  "awakened" with the progesterone and thought it should do its thing.  If you have other symptoms that are relieved by the progesterone, then stick with it and see if things even out.  Maybe take a one week break to see what happens?  I took  a break after all my symptoms had gone...and with the break they came back.  It's been 2 months since the break and I still haven't  quite gotten back to where I was before. Now I'm going to stay on it continuously until things level off.

Just thought I would add my experiences with the progesterone. I take a natural compounded troche 100mg twice a day three weeks out of the month. My periods have been anywhere from 25-49 days and I have had breakthrough bleeding around day 12-16 on the months where I get a period in about 45-49 days, so it is really irratic. Anyway, I found out that taking 50-100mg a day on the week of my period or the week I take off and don't get a period really helps. I read that your body normally makes 50-100 mg a day on the day1-14 and then it goes up from 200-500 a day for the second half of the cycle. I am not sure how accurate this info is but it seems to be true for me. I am a wreck if I don't have a higher amount before my periods. I like the compounded hormones. I f I ever need estrogen it will be compounded too. I check my hormone levels every 4 months and so far every time the progesterone was low, so they have upped my dosage every time. I told my doctor about using the low amount and not taking a break and she said if I have to, it's okay but it is still better to take at least a five day break a month. Maybe someday. I get way too edgy if I do that right now.

<< I have bleeding every single day.  >>

I started the cream last night (middle of my cycle - 14th day) and I was bleeding today!  But that's what Progesterone is supposed to do, so I decided to stick it out and see if it would go away once I'd adjusted to it.  But four weeks of that sounds a little discouraging!

Hi,I've used the cream for about 4 months and it didn't cause any unusual bleeding.  My periods had been every 21 days and this last month it stretched out to 32 days which was nice.  I had a lot of clotting and heavy bleeding for 2 days but the rest of my period was very mild compared to before.

I am starting the cream today (day 12 of my cycle). I am wondering how long it is going to take to feel more like myself. My periods have been irregular. Last month i went 46 days without one . Keep you posted. Pudge

I still have a period around every 28 days and just started getting night sweats a week prior to it.  But this month it has come and gone, and the night sweats have stayed with me.  I am NOT happy about this.

I went and bought some Natural Progesterone, the brand is ProHELP with 1000 in 2oz.  It says to take it from day 12-26, but I don't  want to wait another 5 days to start it.  It says if you still have a period that you must use it this way.  Is there anyone else that has their period still and uses the progesterone cream all the time?

Val

Here is an update to the above post.  I have been on the cream for 3 weeks. I started my period on the 27th day and the night sweats were gone that night.  But.....it is the 2nd day of my period and I feel like crap today.  Anxious, palms sweating and just plain tired.  I didn't have sweats last night but today it seems as if my period is sucking the life right out of me.

I got an appointment with a Dr. here that does natural hormone replacement, but NOT until November 20th.  Basically that means I will go through another hard period before I see this Dr.

I upped the dose to 1/2 twice a day.  I am hoping that the higher dose will help.

Val

Val... Are you using this progesterone cream continually now?   That is not the standard or suggested way to use it if you are still having periods.  You should only be taking this for about the last 2 weeks of your cycle.... this could be why you are feeling so lousy, and the tiredness might be the first clue that you might be taking too much.  

Yes, I am using it all the time for the first couple of months, as was suggested to do.  I have read that it doesn't hurt to take it continuesly.

Val

That's interesting that someone suggested you use the progesterone continuously when you are having periods, Val, especially when the manufacturer's directions suggest using it for the last two weeks of your cycle (days 12-26 I see on a previous post by you).   My suggestion would be to contact Pete Heuseman, Bellevue Pharmacy, in the "Ask the Experts" Section, to get really good advice.  Good luck to you.  :)

Hi, I am taking the Progesterone tablets prescribed by Pete.  He said to try taking them for 3 weeks on and 1 week off, does anyone else take them this way and if so how do they feel.  Hugs, Jen

Are you still having your periods Jen?

Hi Kalanie, Yes I am still having periods but they are quite irregular, they can be anything from 3 weeks to 3 months apart.  Hugs Jen

I just started the cream 3 weeks ago, and have read by Dr. Lee and another Dr. it takes 2-3 months to work like it should, and if your symptoms are severe, to stay on it, and after a couple of months, take a break.  

My case is kind of unusual because I am a female bodybuilder and very lean.  I have heard that the leaner you are the worse your symptoms are.  I am on the 3rd day of my period and cut back a bit last night to experiment, and got night sweats again.

Also, the Dr. I have an appointment with told me it would be OK until I see her on Nov 20th to continue the cream straight thru til then, when she can make a determination.

Val

I went and charted my periods for this year so far and it goes anywhere from 37 days to 24 days (37,28,35,26,30,24,34,29,28,27).  This last one being 27 I started while on the cream.  I had started it on day 5 prior to this period.  If nothing else, maybe it will make them more regular now.

Val

I started using the cream about a month ago and then got my period on the 23rd day of my cycle. I stopped using the cream while I had my period. When it stopped, I went back to using it so that was like the 6th Day of my cycle. I heard you don't have to wait. I just didn't want to use it while i was bleeding. Anyway i got my period 17 days later (so now that is twice in October) early for me. It was a "normal" period not too heav and not too light. It stopped after five days. I read somewhere that that is what the cream does. (affects your periods)..I don't want to wait to use the cream so i plan on applying it today. Is anyone using it everyday except when you have your period ( I know Dr. Lee's suggests waiting till Day 12 to start it up again) But when i am using it, it makes me feel great. I have seen results from the cream and it is only about a month total that i have been using it...thanks..Pudge

I am using it every day, although I haven't been using it as long as you have.  This coming Tuesday will be 4 weeks.  When I even attempted to lower the dose, those icky feelings reared their ugly head again.  So, I have kept the dose up and am feeling pretty good.

Val

I have been using the cream for over a year now and only stop using it while I'm having a period, which is usually around 5 days.

I was instructed by the Pharmacist at the compounding pharmacy where I got the Prog. cream, to use it only the last two weeks of the cycle----the two weeks before my period.  Occasionally, I miss a period, about every 3 to4 months.   Since I missed this month, I decided to use the cream right up to the time I WOULD have started, normally, then I will go back on it my 11th day as instructed.  Anybody know what you are supposed to do if you are irregular or skip periods?? Hope I'm doing it right.  I can only say that I haven't felt this good prior to my periods in 4 yrs!!!!  The PMS is minimal, the night sweats decreased, the anxiety (my BIGGEST problem) almost gone!  I can't  say enough for the advice on this board that prompted me to go see about progesterone creeam!  What a lifesaver!  

Hi Virgomom...

I am glad to read that you are doing so well on the progesterone!     I don't know what to tell you about the skipping periods though, except to ask the compounding pharmacist... I have not ever skipped any periods yet, myself.... I guess that's just wishful thinking for me.  :(  

virgomom,

My periods have been irregular, but this is my 4th week on the cream, and I havent stopped it for my period as yet.  

Val

Is anyone using the cream non stop even if you are still getting your period..When using the cream i feel great then I stop when i get my period . Well when i start using it again it takes a couple of days to start feeling good again. A few people have told me not to stop. Is anyone doing that? thanks Pudge

Pudge,

I am taking it non stop because I have heard that its OK to do so.  I just don't need those horrible feelings during my period.

Val

I've been using the cream for about four months, from day 12 to day 26, and then stopping until day 12 of my next cycle.  My periods seem to have regulated themselves and become lighter with less clotting...almost like they used to be before all this perimenopause stuff started  :)

I was on HRT for a couple of years, but came off in March to use the progesterone cream. I had a withdrawal period (2 weeks earlier than my 'normal' cycle), and have had nothing since. I use the cream at about 15-24mg a day, and have felt SOOO much better that I'm reluctant to stop, until my period arrives. But it doesn't! I did cut the dose way down for a few days, but still nothing. I was put on HRT when my FSH was high, but I was still having (erratic, heavy) periods then. Any ideas? I'm ONLY 45 (ha!), but have had a lot of meno symptoms.

Hi Jools,Hmmmm.  Given that your FSH was so high, perhaps you're finally stopping your periods (Oh, glory days!!!)

Providing that you've had your checkups, etc. and nothing else is going on, this is what it sounds like to me.  Rejoice, young lady!  In fact, just last week, when I was cleaning out my purse, I threw out my VERY LAST tampon.  No periods since 6/99, so hopefully they're gone for good.

Hugs,

Hi Jools and Jenna (glad to see you back)!

Jools, wondering if your former HRT can cause periods because it is both estrogen and progesterone.   Jenna, do you know?  Now that Jools is on progesterone only,  she may not have enough estrogen to build up the lining.   Just thinking out loud.... Now she is no longer estrogen dominant, maybe she will not have heavy periods or no periods if she does not ovulate.

I say REJOICE!!  Maybe this is more normal not to have periods.    

Well - I do kind of rejoice....but I sort of miss them too! (This MUST be a kind of madness!) Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that while I'm having periods I feel I must still be a bit young??!!!Anyway, do you think I should carry on with the cream daily until I start a period, or have a break anyway?I am still around the boards, but I don't post so much because my computer keeps crashing (don't know why...)

Good morning Jools,

Guess it is not morning there!   Afternoon maybe...

You could try stopping the progesterone as an experiment.  I know I feel so much worse stopping it that I am doing what the doc says and not.  But last time I had a phantom PMS and weepiness....guess the hormones are really dropping for me now and without taking the progesterone, I might have been really scary :shocked:   LOL!    I have skipped three periods in a row and the saliva test has showed a big drop in estrogen from October.

You might consider a saliva test to see what is going on too but they are expensive.    I had one when I was feeling pretty good and have a baseline to compare...

How are you doing otherwise?  Sorry about the computer crashes--must be frustrating...

Hi (had a great vacation -- good to be back!)

Well, let's see.  If it were me, I'd continue on the progesterone because it can take your hormones several months to get used to the progesterone and its benefits.

One of the things that I did not do a good job of early in my menopausal transition was try something long enough to see what it did (good or bad).  I didn't realize that these tiny doses of cream, daily vitamins, etc. work in a very subtle manner -- they're not like taking two Tylenol, and Voila! the headache is gone in 40 minutes.  It's also my understanding that progesterone creams can't hurt us when used as directed.  At 15-24 mg per day, your dosage is quite low.  At my doctor's direction, I've used as much as 20 mg twice per day with good results and no bad effects.

Soooo....if it were me, I'd soldier on for a while with the progesterone cream -- at least three full months, if not four.  In fact, I think that's what Dr. Lee suggests when we first start using it.  

All of this is such a puzzlement!

Hugs,

Thank you everybody!! I think I'll keep using it daily, and see what happens. I feel so much better on it - thanks to all of you who helped me to decide to buy and use it. Best decision I ever made!!!

Hi - haven't posted since the new boards - I was wondering about using the progesterone cream.  You say you feel better?  What symptoms has it helped?

I have gone through the most terrible 8 months of my life, finally ending up with a psychiatrist and a therapist for depression and general anxiety disorder.  I am on Effexor and Ativan.  I  feel much better, however, the hot flashes are back and the anxiety seems worse again.  I was hoping the cream might work - I don't want to go back on HRT - I really feel that was the beginning of the problems.

I would appreciate any help.  Thanks.

Hi Doryene. You sound like you've really been having a hard time  - my heart goes out to you. I hope better times come soon.

You asked about what symptoms progesterone cream has helped? For me, it has helped enormously. I love it. It has completely eradicated my hot flashes and night sweats which were very severe and frightening, as well as frequent. It has helped with foggy brain, and the depression I've been having. I feel (almost) normal again. It really has been a godsend for me.

I gather that the cream doesn't help everyone, and that some women feel anxious on it, while other feel lethargic and sleepy. I haven't had any negative effects. I also have learned that it sometimes will help for a while, but then, as your hormone level changes, it may not be enough. But for me, I'm just glad it's working well right now.

One note though - when I first started it, it did not help me immediately. I was quite miserable, and impatient for relief, and I very nearly gave up on it, as it seemed to make my symptoms even worse for a bit. But by 10 days, I was definitely feeling better. I guess it works almost instantly for some lucky women, but others have to use it for a month or two before it helps much.

If you haven't already read the book by Dr. John Lee on natural progesterone cream, I'd recommend finding  a copy of it to read.

Good luck Doryene. Let me know how you're doing - and I hope that something helps you soon.

To Jean:Thank you so much for your reply.  I am glad the cream has helped you - any help in this meno stuff is a God-send.

I think I will try it - I do have the book you mentioned so I will reference that about the usage of the cream.

Again, thank you.

Doryene