I started using progesterone cream last month. 3 mos ago my gyn gave me a sample of prometrium, so I took that for 12 days that month. After doing research, I decided I didn't want to take the prometrium and that month did nothing, but did order some progesterone cream. Last month I used 1/4 tspn of progesterone cream a day starting at Ovulation, (I am just regulating my cycle, and trying to help with menstrual cramping, Am 37yo), I quit using it the day I started my period, which was 11 dpo...I continued to look more into the use of progesterone cream and think that I need to up my dosage to 1/4 tspn twice a day for 12-14 days to get me regular. So this month I upped the dose on cycle day 12.

SO basically, I took prometrium one month, nothing the next, low dose on the third month and have been using it twice a day this month this is day 4 or using it...I will stay on this dosage for the next several months.

My question is this...This cycle has been STRANGE! On cycle from cycle day 6 til now..cycle day 15, I have had a dull, full bloated feeling in my abdomen, (like I usually feel a day or so before my period is due, I am uninating more, I have a lower backache off and on, and headaches..If I didn't know better, I would think I was pregnant. Should I attribute this to the progesterone and just ride it out and assume my body is getting used to it? Or are the sx of something else?

Thanks for ANY insight

Hi Maryeve,

I also started using the progesterone cream this last month and had some of the same symptoms you are having. My doctor told me that it may take 2 or 3 cycles for your body to adjust to the hormone/cream. I'm going to stick with my current dosage for another month and see if there is any leveling out for me if not, I will go back to the doctor and possibly re-evaluate everything. I'd suggest you stick with your for another month and see how it goes unless the symptoms get too bad.

Hope this helps,
Maeflower

Hi All I started using the Progesterone cream for peri-menpause. I also noticed right away that I was always bloated pain in my stomach and alot of gas. I also feel very tired, tense, bad neck pain,and jaw clenching at night when I'm sleeping. I lowered the amount I was using and still had all the same symptoms but less severe. But none the less still there. I don't know if I should just throw this cream in the garbage and let my body run it's course with menopause, or keep trying and hope for the best. I feel worse using it then not. Did anybody have this problem with using this cream where these side effects went away after a few months? Did anybody start having periods again, and were they normal periods( heavy bleeding - light bleeding) I'm going away next month for a week and I don't want any surprises. Thank-You for your time, Any feedback will be great. Dee

Well, Im glad to hear that others have experienced this, I was beginning to think I was pregnant!, even though I did have a period, I was a bleeder with my kids, and while it never mimicked a period, I know that many people have had what seems like one while pregnant. I was commenting to my friend the only time I have ever felt like this on a consistent basis was when I was pregnant.. I'm on cycle day 17 now, so this makes 11 days I have had these sx, the last four nights I have had to get up an pee in the night...It is enough to freak someone out (when you aren't wanting any more babies that is) I'll give it another month, it isn't an unbearable thing, and if it will level out and make everything better it will be worth it.

One question though, I used a very low dose last month, and this month began it 6 days AFTER all of these symptoms...Did ya'll experience this throughout a cycle or only while actually using the cream?

Since you are only 37, maybe it's not time yet for the cream? Or maybe it is, and like someone pointed out, it takes several cycles to adjust.

Some women just do not do well with progesterone. A lot of women do fantastically, like myself. It's all trial and error.

Good luck.

Dear AimeeDecorates:

What symptoms did the progesterone cream help you with and how much do you use???

Thanks,


Red

Red, I was having hot flashes, several per day, in my early 40's. I had read Dr. Northrup's work and she recommended Progest, so I tried it. Within about 4-6 weeks (I really do not remember) the hot flashes stopped completely (and stayed gone pretty much to this day).

I used only 1/4 tsp. per day, on Day 15-28 or until my period started (counting the first day of the cycle as Day 1).

Because I was relatively young, I did not need estrogen. Progesterone goes long before estrogen, according to most of the experts.

I did very well for at least 5 years. Then the migraines came and my gyn said to try a little estrogen (and I moved up to Prometrium, too). That did help, but not completely, probably because I use about 1/2 of the average dose (I use .025 Climara patch).

I just think it is worth a try. If it does not work or makes things worse, just stop using it.

There are several good brands, but I have no memory and can't remember which ones. I think one is FemGest.

There is a lot of info on OTC progesterone on this website--go to the Home Page and there are links.

I think everyone should read as much as possible linked from the main page, especially the Recommendations.

Aimee..I don't think it is an issue of being too young to take progesterone. My gyn said I have classic symptoms of progesterone deficiency and prescribed an oral progesterone tablet...My insurance wasn't covering it and after reading about it and how your body doesn't metabolize most of it, I decided to give the cream a try, first.

from all the research I have done so far, the sx I am experiencing are not uncommon when using progesterone cream..this is my question though

Do I keep using it for a couple of more months and assume that my body will regulate...not only the irregular cycles and cramps for which I am taking in the first place..but also all of these new intensified symptoms should go away as well or should I assume this isnt for me and stop using it.

Maryeve. I've read in alot of books that when a person first starts using progesterone cream , it "wakes up" the estrogen receptors and kicks alot of things into gear , but its only temporary and usually goes away within a 2-4 month period. and then your body will adjust and alot of things calm down. I use a compunded 10% cream , 100mg. per day and it works GREAT for me , aspecially as far as my anxiety goes. i even use it thru my period , but at 50mg. per day. so dont be afraid to use a little more if you need it and also most experts say that the OTC brands arent strong enough to really help. It's true from all the posts ive read here that some women just dont tolerate it at all , but before you decide to quit , i'd give it at least 2-3 full cycles and see if you level out.

Dear AimeeDecorates:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. I really appreciate it.

Red

Im almost embarrassed to admit this, but I have been giving myself the wrong dose, which makes me wonder if these sx are coming from the cream at all!

I Stated that I had used it last month using a 1/4 tspn once a day for 10 days(starting around ovulation to help regulate and stopping when my period started.)and then these PMS/PRegnancy like sx started on day six of my cycle...then on day 12 I started using again uping that dose to twice a day.


I was finding it really hard to believe, especially since reading in so many places that adverse side effects from OTC progesterone cream were rare, that me just using 1/4 tspn a day for 10 total days could cause all of these symptoms 6 days after I stopped using it! But as I kept digging I did find that progesterone could cause these symptoms that I am feeling....where I am puzzled is that I didn't feel any side effects until 6 days after stopping using it for that first previous cycle.

WELL, the cream I am using doesn't have a dose pump, I was just estimating that I was using 1/4 tspn b/c I read that was equivalent to roughly your thumbnail.
I just dug out my measuring spoon and squeezed out the same amount I have been using and it was actually only an 1/8 of a tspn.

SO, is it really possible that that LITTLE dose for 10 days could have been enough to have such obvious side effect 6 days after I stopped using it? or is it WAY more likely there is another culprit I need to investigate.

Again, the sx are cramping/bloating/headaches/frequent urination, mild nauea/lower backache and gas pain.

IM SOOO CONFUSED

I mean REALLY, could using SUCH a low dose those 12 days

<<<< SO, is it really possible that that LITTLE dose for 10 days could have been enough to have such obvious side effect 6 days after I stopped using it? or is it WAY more likely there is another culprit I need to investigate.

Again, the sx are cramping/bloating/headaches/frequent urination, mild nauea/lower backache and gas pain.>>>>

Well, I'd say it is unlikely at such a low dose. I am sure there are others who disagree with that.

Those symptoms could actually just be that you are possibly starting peri-menopause. I started with awful PMS (in my late 30's which I did not take anything for), and progressed to the headaches, nausea, gas pain that you mention.

Of course, the symptoms may be caused by something else entirely. Sometimes you have to be quite a detective to figure out the things your body does and why.

You can stop the progesterone and see if these things go away. If they don't, well. . . they weren't caused by the progesterone and you could try again.

Just a suggestion.

Hi
I've been on and off progesterone cream since Nov. Frankly it made me feel worse, had really crappy, heavy periods, along with feeling depressed through out the month, stomach, gas, & peeing all the time.
THis was the first cycle I used nothing, got my period yesterday no cramps, very light bleeding. Only thing my anxiety is still very high. If i could get rid of he anxiety I could deal with everything else.

Nancy

Maryeve,
My guess is that you took enough progesterone to kick your estrogen into gear, which probably increased your estrogen-dominance symptoms, but because you didn't use enough progesterone, you lacked the benefits it performs.
When I first began using the cream I was very cautious and found the same type of experience-- some of the symptoms got a bit worse at first, but then I'd just add a bit more cream and I'd start to feel fine. In fact, many times I'd feel the spark of a migrane and I'd put more cream on realizing I didn't use enough to stave it off to begin with and in a few minutes there'd be no trace of the migrane.
I'd advise staying with it for a few cycles and using it for the last half of your cycle. I tend to need the most on the two days right before my period comes. Most days I tend to need less than the 1/4 tsp 2x day. In general I use about 1/4 a day total on days 12-24.
I haven't had any bad side effects; mostly it has a calming effect for me and prevents terrible PMS / hormonal imbalace symptoms such as migrane, water retension, breast tenderness, tension, and emotional/depressive symptoms. I may notice that I've used too much if I get a bit warm, not a hot flash but just a bit warmer than usual. That's about it.

Hope that helps.

Hi I have a question about storing the progesterone cream. Room temp or fridge. I have a month supply but since I'm using less it's lasting much longer. Also the depression keeps persisting. I have been crying ever since I started it. I don't think this is good for me to keep using it. I need to get on with my life already. Has anybody had this problem and did the depression go away? I'm also using less because the side effects were very bad. Still having side effects but not as severe. Thanks Chilly

This is an old thread but I was inspired by a GREAT FRIEND on this site to read it.
This is exactly my experience and many of my friends had the same experience with the progesterone cream.
It was real good to read this advice on this particular subject.
I'm sure I will get negative comments but it doesn't matter. Thank God for smart women!

I don't use the cream but find about the same experience too. When they upped my prescription, I flashed and had the night sweats. Also during my cycle if I get some mild palps then I take an extra capsule and that seems to help. Right now trying to battle my way back to balance after they upped my script and now lowered it again. Guessing I should be leveled back out within a week. Having Low E symptoms at the moment I guess while the P tapers back down in my system. Vowing to stick with it though because I know it takes some time to even out.

The last time i tried progesterone cream it made me feel really sedated...would that feeling have worn off after a few weeks if i had stuck with it?

More than likely. It is best to use/take progesterone at night.