So I had that hysterectomy a few months ago with ovaries intact. I don't know when I am actually ovulating so my cycle is unpredictable. I have gotten myself some P cream to try to alleviate some peri symptoms, the main one being heart palps, then back pains around the time I think I must be cycling. How do we do this cream if we just aren't sure. Do I use it for three weeks then stop or do I just keep on keeping on with it since I don't have a uterus?

Hmm my plumbing is all intact so I may not be a good role model but I use the cream daily. I do on occasion forget and I don't worry about it but as a rule I rub it on my forearms at night before bed and it usually helps me to sleep. I'm post too so not sure if that makes a difference or not.

I'm thinking since I don't shed, that I can use it everyday too without breaks. Hoping someone knows for sure.

Just pick a day 1 and start. If you start bleeding more, just stop using the progesterone and count that first day of bleeding as day 1. I've had to do this several times. I use P for 2 weeks, days 12-26.

My problem is I don't bleed. I no longer have a uterus or cervix, so kind of hard to tell. I have read that some women just keep using P non stop, want to make sure it is safe for me. Again I am thinking since I don't have the uterus, thus don't or won't shed that I could be safe with continuous use. I dunno that is why I am asking and I appreciate everyone making an effort to help. Basically is it safe for continuous use of P, or should I do an on and off program?

Right at the moment I think I would be cycling according to my symptoms and if that is the case then I can count this as week one, which if what you are saying is the case I need to wait about another week to do the P. My guess is however it doesn't matter that I can simply take it for two weeks and stop then start again in another two weeks roughly give or take.

Baaah this is so confusing, I don't miss my period but it is sure a nice darn guide when you are in peri!

My sister just had a hysterectomy and is going through the same things... We just got off of the phone with each other and she was asking about that as well.... Dr. Vliet says that your guide is to notice when you start having premenstrual symptoms...which you are calling peri...breast swelling, etc... I'm not sure as to the progesterone cream (using it could make your symptoms worse if it is your estrogen that has dropped, she also says testosterone drops in women with hysterectomies as well) because with the hysterectomy it throws you into early menopause...or it can for some women...which means you need to be tested for all of your hormones... Your estrogen levels have probably dropped as well. She also says that this speeds up bone loss in women too...hysterectomies...

TJ

You are exactly right that it can cause early meno even with the ovaries left in place. I believe the statistics are something like 50% of women who keep the ovaries still reach menopause within the first five years after the surgery. CarolH happens to live close by and has given me her Doctors name, I will be trying to schedule this coming week and will keep you posted so you can pass it along to your sister.

Thank you so much! My dear sister is really losing it...depression...heart palpitations....hot flashes....hair loss...hair growing on her face...weight gain.... I didn't know what to tell her but to get her hormones tested...and once I find a person to provide hormones to me I will give her their name... By the way, she is two months postop!!!

Best Wishes to you....

TJ

I think I read that you need to have 5 - 7 days a month without it, otherwise it starts to have less effect as the receptors in your body get used to it. The suggestion if you're not cycling was to just not take it on the first 6 days of the calendar month. (I'm not sure the exact number of days, but it is around 6 or 7 I think.)

I started progesterone cream (Serenity) last month. I thought I'd stopped cycling, then two days after stopping the progesterone I started a period. Does anyone know if this is caused by the progesterone or if it would have happened anyway? And now I don't know how long to give it before starting it again.

So far I've had no effects from taking it at all. It could just as easily be face cream that I'm rubbing in diligently morning and night. I'm also on Armour (natural thyroid) since ten weeks ago and a host of vitamin supplements but I can't say that I feel well. I've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but I'm not at all sure that the doctors know what they're talking about.

Yes the use of P can bring on a period, I think you can continue to use the cream through in keeping with your days in your cycle. Same as those who take bcp if you have breakthrough, you still keep on using the pills for the 28 days.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I will just continue on for three weeks and give my self a one week break. At least until I see a doctor than can get me going on a regular routine. I just thought this might be a temporary fix until I see what is going on with my hormones. So far yesterday and this morning I haven't had any palpitations or that internal shaking feeling. That could be I am done through what would have been my period.

Sorry I should have noted, that I have also read if the P alone doesn't work after 2 weeks to a month that sometimes a little E helps. You know every bit of information is different in every book or website you read, what works for me won't work for you sadly.

Thanks, davinci. I'm thinking of using some Black Cohosh again as that worked really well for me before but I'm going to talk to my nutritionist first.

I think that a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a blanket diagnosis doctors give you if they don't know what is wrong with you. I had a doctor tell me I had that, back in 1998. It ended up that I was most likely at the beginning of peri and was suffering some depression issues - probably brought on by some seratonin deficiency which is very common in per. I was prescribed anti depressants (I know many people HATE them and don't believe in them) and I felt much MUCH better. I was on them for 18 months in total, the last 4 I spent weaning off of them.

In 2007 menopause hit me hard, and I needed to go on them again - as well as supplementing with Estrogel and Prometrium. Some women have a really tough time with brain chemistry being messed up by hormones being wonky. I am one of those.

Another consideration is adrenal fatigue. Have you led a busy, stressful life?? Have you faced person tragedy? Family deaths, divorce, job loss, etc. We women tend to go and go and go, until we burn ourselves out. "Burn out" is real!! And it is exhaustion that is debilitating.

Dav,

I think it is completely optional for you at this point. You can do whatever makes you feel the best. The creams are not as helpful as Prometrium is at bone protection or uterus protection (which you don't need anyways) but it is safer for your liver. Make sure you are taking Cal/Mag/Vit D and eating calcium rich foods to protect your bones.

I think, in your position, I would cycle the P. For the simple reason that you don't want to become P dominant. Keep a close eye on your symptoms (ya, like you have a choice in the matter!! ) and watch out for the P dominant ones. You may end up needing to add some E to your regime at some point.

I think antidepressants are brilliant when they are needed and when they work well, as they clearly did for you. I think that's probably not my problem at the moment as I've been feeling pretty upbeat most of the time and enjoying life even though it's rather restricted by fatigue.



That's tough. Some of us have a really rough ride, don't we?



The nutritionist I'm seeing is treating me for adrenal fatigue - I'm using Nutri-Adrenal Extra (adrenal gland extract plus mostly vitamin B ), vitamin C in huge doses and CoEnzyme Q10. I'm also trying to avoid stress and do all the stuff that's recommended for Chronic Fatigue because a lot of it is sensible for adrenal problems.

This time last year I was in a lot of pain and now I'm not, so at least there is that improvement even though I'm not able to work and I'd like to be able to. Never mind, I enjoy the internet and there's plenty of good stuff to do while I'm working on getting well again.

Thanks sista! I am taking a mag/calc liquid now thanks to Blue's suggestions, not only for the palps but the added calcium. I love my cheese, milk and yogurts so hopefully I have enough cal intake.

If I were to need E, what is the proper dose, the best otc supplement? Is there a combination cream I could used?

In cycling the P is a week off enough, or would two weeks be better?

Hi,
I use the P cream progest and have also had a hysterectomy. I am like you that I have no idea when I am to cycle. I pretty much use it every day.

Again Dav,

Do what makes you feel the best. Try doing two weeks on and two off, and if you aren't feeling as well then try it 3 on and 1 off.

I am sorry I can't remember where you live....if you are not getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight on a large amount of skin (face and hands won't cut it) then you should supplement with Vit D as well as the cal/mag. There has been a lot of research done lately that indicates most people living in the northern hemisphere in the winter months do not get enough Vit D and should be supplementing a minimum of 1100 mgs per day. You need it for bones...cal/mag alone isn't enough. Unless you are out in the sun daily.

There honestly is no true OTC E supplements available. There are some plant estrogens available that some claim help them, but research indicates the estrogens are not strong enough for menopause. You may have to find yourself some bio-identical estradiol, whether it be in a gel or a patch (avoid creams as they are inconsistant with absorbtion of E).

The liquid mag/calc I take has 300iu of vitamin D too, should have mentioned that.


Thanks bobbi, it is nice to have another sister that understands what it is like still cycling, yet not bleeding.