I asked before and no one seemed to be able to help so I will try again. Does anyone know what the difference would be between a bioidenical progesterone compounded at a pharmacy and something over the counter like Pro gest? I just do not understand it. I do not want to waste money on a pharmacy compound if I can sample Progest,

i don't know.. but many women here do, so I'm bumping this up to the top for you, and I'm sure you'll hear something soon!!

We can't buy progesterone otc here in Canada, so I'm not too familiar with it. So, I'll take a stab in the dark here.....what's the strength of the Progest? Perhaps it's a matter of strength? My progesterone is a certain strength (it's compounded) and I know they compound them in different strengths. Also, what's the Progest made of? Is it yam?

There are several very knowledgable women on PS who I think can help you with this question. One who comes to mind is "Sariah". Seems to know a lot about the BHRT stuff. Maybe you can PM her??? just a suggestion

Not that I actually know, but the only thing that I could think of is perhaps when it is done by a pharmacy, they can actually use different amounts, in other words adjust the compound for your needs.... They also could add other horomones, such testosterone, but I don't know if they do that w/o an RX...

Another Canadian here....and Progesterone is considered a "drug" like substance here, so no OTC progesterones.

I think ProGest would be ok in early stages of peri, as long as the ingredient in it is Micronized progesterone. NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK. Again I am not familiar with ProGest, so please check for that ingredient. If it is, in fact, micronized progesterone, then it should be ok to use....for awhile at least. The Rx'd progesterone does come in different strengths...stronger ones, than you could get OTC (assuming it IS micronized progesterone you are getting the those OTCs).

Sorry I can't give more definitive information, but I just don't know!!

The progesterone cream my gyno told me to try is an over the counter certified USP micronized natural progesterone. Not sure if its doing anything but it isn't hurting either. I am 2 years post so not even sure I need it (doesn't your progesterone go low when your post?). Going to ask gyno about it again at next appt.

Surreal,

My understanding of the USUAL progression of menopause is...the first hormone to "go" is P. Then for a time we become estrogen dominant, because the E is too high in relation to the P. After menopause both hormones have bottomed out and MOST people feel better on E than they do on P at that point.

HOwever, having said all that....everyone is different and no one rule applies to everybody. I know for myself, I could cruise along happily with just Estrogen....but alas with an intact uterus, I HAVE to use the P.

If you take a look at the results of the survey going here, very very few women get relief from otc remedies. It is worth a try and I wish you luck though.

i think the compounded one is made from wild yam and the others not....

here are some articles you can read

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%...mp;oq=&aqi=

the prescribed P. cream is 10% where as the progest is 2%, both are USP, well progest is anyway. You would need alot more of the progest to equal a smaller amount the prescribed.....does that make sense....I'm not much of a math wiz, but my husband is and explained this to me once when I had the option myself. I was prescribed 100mg/day which was 2 ...1/2 grams per day which is a very small amount when you see it where as with progest 2 1/2 tsp (don't know what that equals to in grams) which is alot more cream than the prescribed is only 40mg per day......someone can correct my math if I'm wrong. I would try the OTC first it would give you a slower start to see how you will do. HUGS Mikki

clarify 2......1/2 tsp

just looks like it runs together and I don't want you to think it is 2 1/2 tsp you will get to much

Well this is the way it goes.........I have tried Prometruim.......Angelique and one other P. I have take 1/4 dose of these and cannot cannot tolerate them. I just tried 1/2 dose of the Pro gest cream this morning and this afternoon, I am so spacy and foggy that it is scarying me. So the answer is! I cannot do P of any kind. I am taking the smallest dose of estrogel I can and if I have to get an Ultrasound once a year to check my lining then so be it. This peri is beyond all expectatons. What was Eve thinking?????

Maybe try BHRT and see if you do any better on it. It isn't a one size fits all like the HRT versions. It may not work either but everything is worth a shot when we are going through this hell.