I had a bad experience with progesterone cream and it sounds like a lot of other women on here have as well. I've read other testimonials elsewhere on the net where multiple women claimed it lifted their depression, helped them lose weight, increased their thyroid functioning, gave them a wonderful euphoric feeling, increased their sex drive, etc etc. Even some of the docs in their books (Reiss I know for certain) say many of the women on P cream don't want to go off it two weeks out of the month because they feel so incredible when taking it.

Well I had worse on all of these issues as I've read many of the ladies here experienced the same. I'm really looking for some other women that felt this miraculous change I keep reading about when they took progesterone but I'm not seeming to find any on this board. Maybe they feel good and thus don't come here posting? If anyone has felt it was some miracle cure or really benefited them please speak up with how it helped and what form/time/dose you're taking. I'm really wondering why it helps so many and hurts so many others!!

shar,
I wonder if where one is in peri is a factor? I think the younger women don't seem to have as many problems with it. I believe the lower one is in estrogen, the worse they will feel on P.

And when I was researching it and had joined a couple P groups, I noticed that many initially would feel great, then several months later start feeling awful. I do think recommended doses are way too high, plus it has that tendency to build up in tissues.

But it would be interesting to see if anyone has used it for awhile and is happy with it.

I can only comment about my experience which has been both ends of the spectrum.

When I first tried progesterone about ten years ago, during my early years of perimenopause, it made me feel worst. Now I must say that I was using a brand I purchased from the health food store. I don't know if that made any difference, but in my case I believe it did. My depression and anxiety became worst with the first dose. Well, just to make sure that it wasn't all in my mind I think I tried it again and got the same results. Needless to say I stopped immediately.

Well, jump to about four years later and a co-worker suggested that I try a brand that she purchased from her doctor in Puerto Rico. Although I was hesitant I was impressed with how it helped her and she was familiar with many of the symptoms I was experiencing. I tried it and felt wonderful!!! Shortly there after I saw a doctor who suggested compounded progesterone which I have been using ever since. Over a year ago biest was added to the mixture and I have been pleased.

Now, I can not say that all of my symptoms were alleviated, but the compounded biest and progesterone lessened the severity of many of my symptoms.

What is the compounded P and how is it different from the kind in the health food stores and over the counter. Does it protect the uterus. Can I ask your location and what pharmacy are you using and the dose. I am one looking for the miracle good feeling on P which I am having no luck with. Thanks

Hello Jhawley . If you google compounding pharmacy in your town/state you will hopefully get the name of a pharmacy near you. You can call and talk with the pharamacist or their specialist to get detailed information. Also here at PS you can read many articles and even contact Pete at Bellevue Pharmacy to get many of your questions answered. I'm not that knowledgeable that is why I'm trying to direct you to the experts .

Hi,

Well I am one of the ones that Progesterone has been a Godsend for. I'm 48 years old and in peri menopause. My periods are still regular. However I had all the symptoms of estrogen dominance. When I first started the P, I had bought the pro-gest from vitacost. The first day I used it I slept 9 hours straight. I hadn't slept in years, and I do mean years. I have since got a bio-identical prescription for the P, they are 50 mgs. I'm also one of the ones that don't like going off of it during my cycle, and I am only off of it for 3 days. The other 2 days when I'm ending I use the progest...The rest of my cycle I use the 50 mg pills. The luteal phase I take 100 mg. at nite. Since I started using it, I am no longer bleeding to death or clotting. My cystic breast are gone, and my fibroid tumor has shrunk.

So for ME, it has had alot of benefits. Has it taken all my symptoms away? Certainly not, but it has alleviated alot for me. Although I was estrogen dominant, my estrogen levels weren't all that high, so my doc prescribed me some E. It made me go into some sort of psychosis. I added the P, and all that went away within minutes. So, for me right now I'm just taking the P. If I start getting anxiety early in the day, I will just throw on some P cream, and it helps alot.

I've only been using the P for 3 months now, and I have also read the stories of the woman that started well on it, then it turned on them. But for now, for ME, it's doing wonders.

~Hugs

Thanks for your experience journey...can you explain what you meant saying that you went into some sort of psychosis when on the Estrogen? I've read others who had psychosis feel better getting more Estrogen. What exactly happened with what dose and how long did you take it for?

I'm someone else who feels very well on progesterone. I've been using Pro Juven 3% Natural Progesterone Cream for two and a half years at 40mg per day. In the UK progesterone cream has to be prescribed by a doctor, so I've been using it under the direction of a doctor.

I'm eighteen months post menopause (so was still in peri when I started using the cream) and am not supplementing with systemic estrogen as it's contraindicated for me. I do use estriol cream vaginally twice a week for vaginal dryness. Estriol cream vaginally is meant to have minimal effects systemically; I don't notice any at all.

I first started using progesterone cream because my hormones were in turmoil, having stopped conventional HRT cold turkey, and I was experiencing a host of intense menopause symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, palpitations, adrenaline surges and furnace-like hot flushes. I did notice when I first used the cream that when I applied it, it would appear to intensify the symptoms. However it was difficult to tell whether this was related to introducing the progesterone cream or whether this was yet another effect of being in a period of rapid withdrawal from estrogen from having stopped conventional HRT. My doctor told me to reduce the dose of progesterone cream initially to a pea-sized amount and build up gradually. I see from the leaftlet accompanying my particular cream that it says "A few women experience slight aggravation of menopausal or premenstrual symptoms during the first few months of applying the cream. Increasing or decreasing the dosage, in consultation with your doctor, may ease this transition". Reducing the dose and then building up gradually worked for me.

All of the symptoms reduced and then disappeared. Even when I had the occasional period, I still felt very well. I've been stable on the progesterone cream and without symptoms for a very long time now. It may relate to my being post, but as I said, even whilst still in peri and having intermittent periods, I still felt well whilst using the cream - better than I did on conventional HRT! I do also use a host of natural supplements, including phytoestrogens, upon the advice of the same doctor, so it could be a combination of things that made me feel well.

Somewhere on this forum someone made a post about the different 'types' of menopause. Mine matched the symptoms for low progesterone so I guess in my case, I received the hormone I needed. I have a good sex drive and strong orgasms, so I suspect my hormones are now balanced. At any rate, I'm not about to start messing around with this regime!

This is so very interesting to me. Initially I thought that only women in early peri and/or who are having regular periods could use P without the awful side effects that many of us have experienced. But Interactive is post and appears to be doing quite well with it, even though estrogen levels must be quite low.

Interactive, you have not noticed any weight gain or depression or fatigue with the P?

I have had great results with the over the counter progest cream. I started taking it for my migraines 4 years ago when peri hit. It was the only thing that worked and I was so thankful. It also took away the anxiety and just plan yucky feeling I was having. Progest is the only thing I am taking right now. My OB gave me a vaginal Estrogen insert for dryness but I am not taking it at this time. I feel really good and I don't like what the side effects are from the E insert (one being migraines) No thanks. I am feeling pretty good and haven't had a period since Dec. 2. Actually, I just have had one period since July of last year. Dang it, if I hadn't had that period in Dec, I might be almost done. Oh well. Such is life.

In any case, yes, I have had good experience with Progest cream. I am on my week off now but I don't see much difference in how I feel anymore.

Mopsy

Hi Sariah

No I'm not suffering from any of those things. I have to say though, the weight issues that seem to affect so many women at this life stage have been one thing I haven't suffered (it must be the only thing!). The only problem I had with weight was when I suffered anxiety and couldn't eat properly. I was hitting the bottom of my healthy weight range and was worried that I was just going to go down and down in weight. As soon as the anxiety abated however, my body again behaved as it always had. If I exercise and eat fewer calories I lose weight. If I don't exercise and eat lots, I gain weight. My weight only moves up and down within my normal weight range however. I've never been overweight.

Nor am I suffering depression, I feel very buoyant in mood. I thank God, because I did have episodes of uncontrollable depression when I was in the thick of the menopausal symptoms and it was the most awful experience. I haven't noticed any fatigue. It is my impression that I'm not as energetic as I was when younger so I don't know if I'd have more energy if I supplemented with estrogen, but I did a seven mile hill walk at a brisk pace a couple of weekends back. In fact when I exercise, I feel more energetic. I can't get by on a few hours sleep in the way I used to when younger (nor would I want to now!) but I thought that was just age. I haven't resumed full time work yet (but am looking to doing that now) so perhaps I haven't had a real test of my energy levels as yet.

Hi again, ya what happened was I was already on the progesterone by the time I got my Bi-est picked up 5 days later from the pharmacy. It said to start with 1 ml. but no way I was going to start that high. So, I started with 1/4 ml & did that for about a week. I was ok on that amount. The next week I increased it to 1/2 ml & that's when I wigged out. The very first application of 1/2ml. I was EXTREMELY aggitated, I spiralled very, very quickly into a very dark place, I felt suicidal, and even felt like I could really hurt someone. It was scarey, I'm a very peaceful, kind person & I just quickly turned into someone I did not recognize. I was glad no one was around me at the time, because I'm sure I would of flipped out on them. I felt ANGRY, & depressed, I couldn't breath right either. Somewhere in my mind tho I had the thought to conteract it with the P, and it worked within 10-15 minutes. It was scary to say the least. I'm sure I could of hurt myself when I was in this dark place. I haven't touched the E since. I figure I'm just better off without it right now.

I did forget to mention earlier that the P also took my migraines away. So, I guess I'm fortunate that the P is working to balance me out. Although right now I'm dealing with extreme adrenal exhaustion & my hypothyroid so I have a long, long, way to go here I'm sure. Every once in awhile I can see daylight, but I do still struggle daily. I'm on an adrenal protocol, and naturthroid & iodine for my thyroid. So I takes LOT'S of suppliments, eat only organic food, nothing processed, lot's of organic fruit & veggies. I have celiacs disease as well so no gluten for me either, which I barely ate anyways. I was already eating gluten free pasta & stuff, but now I can't have any. So, that took away all the joint pain I was having. So, little by little, one day at a time, sometime one minute at a time I get through my days, it's been a struggle to say the least.

~Hugs

Could you clarify for me. You went on estrogen, eventhough you were dominant???

"Could you clarify for me. You went on estrogen, eventhough you were dominant???"

Hi, it is possible to be "estrogen dominant" and still need estrogen. I was on the progesterone first to raise the levels of that. I had very little progesterone in my system when I got tested, and I did have all the symptoms of being estrogen dominant. However, my estrogen still needed to come up as well. It was just important to use the progesterone first. I did however decide to stay off the E for awhile for now.

~Hugs