After a number of years using bio-identicals, I'm finding that progesterone is really becoming a problem, in that I now feel the bloated, lack of energy symptoms that I've always heard associated with this hormone. I cycle it, 100 mg. in oral capsule form at night for 10 days.

Does the cream form cause less of the bloating, tired feeling? Does anyone know if it's water weight that happens with this? Any suggestions on how to get thru those 10 days, diet wise. I am many years post menopausal. I'm taking the hormones because I believe that hormones should be maintained at a higher level thru out our lives. I usually experience 4 days of bleeding around the 10th of each month with the first and last days being light and the 2nd and 3rd being heavy flows. I have cramping and back pains during this time. I've added OTC Progest a few times and that helps with the cramping and back pain.

When was the last time your levels were checked? It might be time to lower the P or get some E into the scheme.

Hi I should of added that I have been using Bi-est along with the progesterone for many years. I had my levels checked in May.

I'm thinking maybe P in cream form would be easier on my body.

Not sure. So far I have only done oil caps.

Sandy,so since you're post menopausal,i'm assuming it's the hormones that cause you to bleed?....just curious.....

Hi yes I'm cycling the P. So my uterus lining is shed every month.

Dear SandyC:

Yes, that can be a side effect of the progesterone in an oral form, possibly less in a cream or long acting duragel. We also find it to usually be a lesser problem in patients using our sublingual tablets. You may want to test your levels at this point, see if the estrogen is high enough? You may be just plain out of balance again. May need some testosterone too? or DHEA? We can supply you with a saliva test kit, and then do a consultation with you, and give you a new suggestion for you to discuss with your doctor. We fill all kinds of natural bioidentical hormone RX's and ship them to all States in the USA. Here is the link to our Patient empowerment program, if you would like to follow through with us helping you. https://www.bellevuerx.com/patientempowerment.aspx
Thanks,
Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.

Pete are you saying that progesterone is available in sublingual tablets?

why would you want to have periods?(not being rude,just curious)

Hi it's not that I want to have a period, it's necessary so the uterus lining doesn't build up. I guess when it builds up is when the potential for problems with pre-cancerous and cancerous uterus problems start. By shedding the lining, I guess every month you are starting over with new cells? How quickly it builds up and how much bleeding you do every month depends on the balance with E and P. When you are using hormones long term, your doctor will probably recommend a yearly trans vaginal ultrasound so the uterus lining can be measured. Anything over a certain thickness is considered suspicious and requires a biopsy or D&C.

I feel better on hormones than without them. In fact I am many years post menopausal and feel better now than I ever did in my reproductive years. I used Prempro initially when I was going thru menopause and for a number of years after, this was before the nurse's study came out. my doctor was telling me I could stay on Prempro forever. But I felt like hell on Prempro. I went off Prempro for a few years and felt even worse. Then I went on bio-identicals and feel wonderful.

[quote name='SandyC' date='Aug 22 2009, 06:36 AM' post='305514']
Hi it's not that I want to have a period, it's necessary so the uterus lining doesn't build up. I guess when it builds up is when the potential for problems with pre-cancerous and cancerous uterus problems start. By shedding the lining, I guess every month you are starting over with new cells? How quickly it builds up and how much bleeding you do every month depends on the balance with E and P. When you are using hormones long term, your doctor will probably recommend a yearly trans vaginal ultrasound so the uterus lining can be measured. Anything over a certain thickness is considered suspicious and requires a biopsy or D&C.

So, are you saying women who are post-menopausal and no longer having periods NEED to be using Progestrone so their uterus lining can "shed" every month? Otherwise there might be cancer growing in there? What did our Grandmother's do after they went through menopause? I'm sure there wasn't any Progestrone back then. And I KNOW there were no ultrasounds!

I'n not trying to start anything. Just curious.

[/quote]
So, are you saying women who are post-menopausal and no longer having periods NEED to be using Progestrone so their uterus lining can "shed" every month? Otherwise there might be cancer growing in there? What did our Grandmother's do after they went through menopause? I'm sure there wasn't any Progestrone back then. And I KNOW there were no ultrasounds!

I'n not trying to start anything. Just curious. I think what she is saying is a question that some of us on bhrt wonder about. Should we or should we not be cycling the progesterone to allow the lining of the uterus to shed as it did when we were younger. In other words, if we are trying to continue or recreate estrogen/progesterone in our bodies through bhrt should we not allow the cycle to play out. This topic would only affect those of us who are supplementing with hormones. As for our grandmothers...there was no bhrt/hrt (that I know of) so they had no reason to even think about this.
DLT

Sorry I posted this incorrectly.


[/quote]
So, are you saying women who are post-menopausal and no longer having periods NEED to be using Progestrone so their uterus lining can "shed" every month? Otherwise there might be cancer growing in there? What did our Grandmother's do after they went through menopause? I'm sure there wasn't any Progestrone back then. And I KNOW there were no ultrasounds!

I'n not trying to start anything. Just curious.



I think what she is saying is a question that some of us on bhrt wonder about. Should we or should we not be cycling the progesterone to allow the lining of the uterus to shed as it did when we were younger. In other words, if we are trying to continue or recreate estrogen/progesterone in our bodies through bhrt should we not allow the cycle to play out. This topic would only affect those of us who are supplementing with hormones. As for our grandmothers...there was no bhrt/hrt (that I know of) so they had no reason to even think about this.
DLT

My apologies to Sandy C and Texasgirl for totally messing up the quotes in my last post. Sorry. I hope everyone can figure out who said what?????? Next time I will pay more attention to what I am doing! Sorry.
DLT