Just wondering, if you think you have estrogen dominance and decide to start using progesterone creme and say you rboday really does already have enough, can you hurt yourself in any way?

Ok .....

I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about this and I am now utterly convinced that I am in early peri and that my root problem is low progesterone. As peri progesses, this may change but at the stage I am now, the symptoms and signs I do have, the symptoms and signs I don't have, my past hormonal history - severe pms, and post natal illness, and from the testimonies of women on this site who have similar symptoms to me and have found relief through using the cream.

Here in the UK, natural progesterone cream is unlicensed so unless you can find a GP willing to prescribe it, it has to be brought in from offshore. The nearest place I can find is Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and it ain't cheap to buy by any means. However, there is a natural product available on prescription - Crinone, a vaginal gel. Has anyone heard of this? Is there anyone on the board using it? I have an appointment at the HRT clinic in a couple of weeks and I am going to go in armed with every bit of information I have at my disposal, and hopefully come out with the gel or even the cream, and if I can't get it, then I am going to go right ahead and get it shipped in myself.

Have you done plenty of research of your own to determine whether or not you might have problems with low progesterone? There is lot of stuff out there to read, and some of it is very complex, but like with me, I honestly am in no doubt now about it. The estrogen dominance theory is not as simple as some books make out, and there are lots of differing views on it amongst the medics. The way I look at it, is, this is not an exact science for any of us. It is so complex. Doctors themselves are not in agreement on anything it seems, one says one thing, another says just the opposite. No-one knows US better than ourselves and ultimately it is US who have to make the decision about what we decide to take, or not.

You asked if it can hurt you? Well I think if you don't start to feel better in a few weeks, and start to experience distressing side effects, then obviously it's not right for you, and it's time to stop. However, in my case, I just think I owe it to myself to try it, and that it what I intend to do. I can't obviously tell you to do what I do, but I think the risks (if there are any) are outweighed by the possible benefits. The problem with testing hormone levels - blood, saliva etc is what so many have already said. The levels fluctuate all the time, and tests are not always a guide. I'm going on symptoms, acute symtoms that seem to fit the bill precisely, and that is why I am so convinced about my own situation.

The only other thing I would say is that again, from what I have read, low progesterone is most likely to occur in the early years of peri. As we get closer to menopause itself, that situation will change as estrogen decline intensifies so it may be that down the line it will be all change at Euston, in terms of the right treatment. But if, at the moment, you feel as I do, that this is something that will help you, why not give it a go?

In other threads here there are many, many posts from women, showing the same symptoms as me, who have found it has helped them immensely.

Good luck!
x

Jenilou - Heartfelt thanks for your post!

I am currently reading books/searching the net anything i can get my hands on regarding peri amd progesterone. I am just like you! Although I have about four books at my bedside I am amazed at how well written and informative this book is - FROM HORMONE HELL TO HORMONE WELL by C.W. Randolph. He has a web site too. Check it out.

A few years back, after the birth of my second child I went downhill hormonally and came to the conclusion that I needed to suppliment with natural progesterone. I did - for three months and it was wonderful! But I freaked out a bit because it worked so well and I wanted to be supervised by a MD in order to continue. My progesterone was over the counter and is one of the best selling ones in the USA.

Soon after I found a female doctor near where I live who believed in and could even prescribe bio-itentical hormones. I was hoping to get a cream from a componding pharmacy that is mixed just for me! She looked at me (okay I am overweight) and told me that I first needed to get my weight under control and pawned me off to her nutritionist in the office. Didn't want to hear about my symptoms, although she did run about $1500US in blood work. Everything came back normal so she continued to push her associate on me. I felt I was being jerked around. I was not being listened to. I left and never came back. She seemed to NOT believe in peri. Maybe she didn't go through it? She didn't belong to the club! They say the 10% of women sail through peri...she was most definatly one of them. How could a women not listen to another when in agony?

Two years later my symptoms are worseining, with no doctor in sight. High anxiety, internal shakes, no libido, face flushing, high blood pressure, buzzing in head, migranes (for a month now), chin hair, fibro like muscle aches, dry vagina and at the latter part of my cycle - odor that only two showers a day can keep at bay, instant forgetfullness, formacation with drugs like xanax, high triglycerides, chest & jaw tension, rapid heart, sores on my tongue and sometime seven eyelid at the same time and possible hypogycemia. It seems that every day I am battling one or more of these symptoms. My family is sick of my complaining. My husband walks away when I complain. I mean all the tests come normal and after quite a few ER visits can you blame him?

This month I tried my natural progesterone creme on the 8th day after my period as per instructions for peri women (periods with cycle changes). Well I am in peri and although my periods have always been irregular, I was not having cycle changes; big mistake to start to early. I applied 1/8 instead of the 1/4 to 1/2 of the creme. And only once and day instead of twice. I am all for the smallest doages of anything. Well, after two days I started to feel pain in my right ovary and I spotted soon after. Nothing too bad, I just was scared because I never spotted before. I made a mistake; this is why I am scared and asked if progesterone can hurt you? I should have waited until after ovulation to start the creme not before. I was mad, I was tired and I was suffering....I listened to my body, will take better direction and decided to start the creme after ovulation. I am one of the lucky few (unlucky with the pain though) and feel when I ovulate. One question I have...if I ovulate don't I have enough progesterone already? Still trying to figure this out.
I've restarted the creme after I ovulted this month. 1/8th, once a day one day off and one day on the week before my period. And the week before (is coming up for me)...I listen to my body. If I have severe PMS I will do it every day.

Yesterday I had internal shakes all afternoon. When I came home I was so wriped out. Instead of popping a xanax I rubbed some progesterone creme on myself and within 1/2hr I was calm. It helps soooo much! I will continue to use it (as needed) and as little as possible. Continue to look for a MD to guide me and fight, fight, fight for my sanity and my heath. It's gonna be a tough road since MD's are not taught this natural route in school and pharmacutical companies want to push this remedy under the rug because they can't profit from it....

Okay, I take natural progesterone (prometrium) 12 days before my period starts. I asked my doc about the cream and she said it was better to take the pill form as it is easier to get the correct amount every time.

I am estrogen dominant too, but I've never heard of too much progesterone harming someone with estrogen dominance. When I talked to my doc about my "hot flashes"-still don't know if that is what they are for sure, since she seemed not to consider that I might be in peri even though all signs point that way (age, etc. etc.) she offered to run a blood test on me (again- the first one 8 months ago came back FSH "normal" whatever that means). Then she said if it came back "low" I could start on bio-identicals. I asked her about taking estrogen with estrogen dominance; I've had fibroids but had a myomectomy 10 y.o. and had them removed and don't want them coming back. I'm not convinced I want to take bios regardless of what my hormones are doing.

Anyway, my understanding is that progesterone balances out the estrogen, and too much estrogen is as bad as not enough. She gave me the progesterone because I was estrogen dominant and have bad PMS.

I do know that if you take progesterone too much during your cycle you will bleed all over the place (my doc's words). I love the stuff so much I asked her if I couldn't take it every day because I sleep so much better, my moods are better, etc and she told me about the bleeding then.

Hope some of this info helps.

Riv

"A few years back, after the birth of my second child I went downhill hormonally and came to the conclusion that I needed to suppliment with natural progesterone. I did - for three months and it was wonderful! But I freaked out a bit because it worked so well and I wanted to be supervised by a MD in order to continue. My progesterone was over the counter and is one of the best selling ones in the USA. "

(Wow!! I so wish I had known about, or been offered progesterone supplementation. I too got very ill after the birth of my second child. Awful time. All I got offered was anti depressants and counselling, which helped of course ... but it took two and a half years to get well. Reading that convinces me more and more that I have been prone to progesterone depletion for a number of years, and even more determined to do something about it.)

'Soon after I found a female doctor near where I live who believed in and could even prescribe bio-itentical hormones. I was hoping to get a cream from a componding pharmacy that is mixed just for me! She looked at me (okay I am overweight) and told me that I first needed to get my weight under control and pawned me off to her nutritionist in the office. Didn't want to hear about my symptoms, although she did run about $1500US in blood work'.

(You seem so far ahead of us in the US when it comes to all this stuff. However, on the up side we have the NHS so everything is free, and there are NHS GP's who do advocate bio identicals but finding one is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and they have to work for an area health authority who are willing to finance it. But with regard to those charges you have had to pay - I could not imagine having to pay out over a £1,000 for blood tests alone. It's outrageous! Particularly when all it's doing is sending you off on a wild goose chase.)

'Two years later my symptoms are worsening, with no doctor in sight. High anxiety, internal shakes, no libido, face flushing, high blood pressure, buzzing in head, migranes (for a month now), chin hair, fibro like muscle aches, dry vagina and at the latter part of my cycle - odor that only two showers a day can keep at bay, instant forgetfullness, formacation with drugs like xanax, high triglycerides, chest & jaw tension, rapid heart, sores on my tongue and sometime seven eyelid at the same time and possible hypogycemia. It seems that every day I am battling one or more of these symptoms. My family is sick of my complaining. My husband walks away when I complain. I mean all the tests come normal and after quite a few ER visits can you blame him?'

(You at the present time you have more physical symptoms than me, and obviously ones I haven't researched much because I'm not currently experiencing them. Although I did have a hot, sore face for about 4 days a while back, like I was embarrassed and blushing all the time, only I wasn't. It is sooooo flipping complicated all this. As I have no experience yet of using the cream, unlike you and rivcelt, I can't really help. Hopefully more experienced ladies will add to your thread.)

x

I started messing up with Progesteron about a year ago. My peiods were mostly regular (few days here and there) back then but I had anxiety. mood swings/digestive issues, etc. At the same time a friend told me about Dr.Lee's book, so I got it and after I've read it, I was convinced that P is next best thing after a sliced bread. So, I found an MD who was willing to work with bioidentical homrones, and he handed me Rx for P-cream. He also Rx it using from day 7 (bleeding stop) and use for 21 days. So I did, and it worked like anastetic, I slept good but started bleeding on day 18. Then I have noticed heartburn increase, I was hungry all the time, and bloated. So I stopped and next month did not use any, and had my normal cycle. Then I asked women who were using it, and they all told me that I should be using starting day 14-28. So I tried this way, and yet, my cycle become very short. I am 49 now, and belive I am close to menopause and my estrogen is falling, so adding P downplays Estrogen receptors, and I am feeling worse. I treid prometrium to regulate my cycle, and it made me vey sick: chest and calves pain, non-stop crying, dizziness, fatigue, you name it. Stopped Prometrium and all symptoms vanished. I think those months that we ovulate, we have progesteron, if we don;t - both E and P are low. Adding only P when my E is low now, exacerbates my symptoms. Anyways, I think messing with hormones is like opening can opf warms. Also, the standard test for Progesteron is day 20 (of normal 28 days cycle). Sine I stopped P, my cycle returned to somewhat normal (24-28 days). I know P has good and calming effect, but it also gets accumulated in fatty tissues, so if yuo use cream, rub it on a thin skin areas, not belly and tighs. Once it gets there, it does not leave. Oral prometrium, which is micronized P gets deactivated bny liver, so at least, there is no build up. I've heard that vaginal gel (Crinone) is the best since it goes directly where it should to protect uterise and it does not cause indigestion and depression like other forms.
It's trial and error, ppl go by the way they feel. I figured that P can be usedfull during initial stages of peri. but once you closer to menopause, we probably need to use it in addition to Estrogen. But this is another story.

Iradan,

Yours is the first post I have seen that mentions Crinone, and that is one product I can get over here on the NHS. I have posted a separate thread on this section of the board asking for information about it.

You say you have heard it is a better method of obtaining progesterone? Did you hear that from someone who has used it, or from your GP? Do you have any direct experience of using it? I would like to get some personal testimony from someone who has actually used this product.

Thanks
x

So what happens if I suppliment with progesterone and am lacking estrogen too?

I never used it but heard from one women , who used it in addition to ERT to protect her uterise. I hve an appointment with my OBGYN later in April, and I will bring it up to her attention. She is not fond of HRT of any kind, but I wil try to discuss this option with her. I will keep you posted, my appointment is in 3 weeks.

I used this product all last year and it worked just fine. It is bio-identical progesterone cream. Works just like prometrium. I no longer take it because I get sublingual tablets from Bellevue to go along with my bi-est. I am not sure, but I believe it is much stronger than over the counter progesterone cream. 1 tube was 90mg of progesterone as I recall.

Oh Rendy, so glad to hear that.

There are two versions - one is very strong and is used in fertility treatments, and the other is the weaker version used for HRT.

Everything I have read about it is positive, and it also (supposedly) has virtually no side effects because of the vaginal application, and going straight into the uterus where it's needed. The only downside there appears to be that I have read about it is it can be a little messy - discharge etc, so you have to make sure you sit and lie down for a few minutes after application.

But best of all, I can get it on prescription here in the UK and it the only natural progesterone (bio identical) that we can get easily FOC on the NHS.

It all sounds too good to be true, and already I'm suspicious. First up, if it's so fantastic, how come it hardly gets a mention on this board? Secondly, why do so many people favour the transdermal creams (which from the sounds of it, can cause some bloating problems in a few susceptible individuals when applied to 'soft, fleshy, areas - breasts, upper arms etc), if this stuff is so wonderful??

Sometimes I feel like Perry Mason on the case!

x

Hello gals,
I will add my story, b/c I can relate to all of you. I am also certain due to medical history that I have low prog levels. That was the cause of my not being able to carry pregnancies to term, until it was discovered. (BTW, my doc GUESSED at that diagnosis, when all tests came back normal. It was CONFIRMED by my NaPro Technology practicioner, who I can never thank enough for her help. Totally natural, non-invasive, all about listening to your body and charting your hormonal cycles. Highly scientific, no guesswork. It's meant for fertility, but I'm goign to go back on it so I can track the changes in my cycle at this stage of life too.)

Anyway.....I used vaginal progesterone when I was pregnant for the first trimester, till the placenta would start making prog on it's own. I could feel the difference in my body when the placenta would take over! This supplement had to be compouded by a pharmacist. In later pregnancies, after studying Dr. John Lee's work, I found I only needed progesterone cream and that was much nicer than the messy suppositories.

Someone asked about progesterone, and how do you know it's low. In a normal cycle, progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum -- the final stage of the ovum after ovulation. So if you don't ovulate (anovulatory cycles), or if you just have low levels of production, you'd mainly experience the effects AFTER ovulation (or after the time of would-be ovulation). That usually means (for one thing) a shorter second phase of your cycle: the time after ovulation is short. The time from menses to ovulation can be normal. For me, when I finally identified ovualtion using the Creighton Model for fertility awareness (NaPro Technology) I was able to see very clearly that I ovulated at a "normal" time, about 12-14 days into my cycle.....but the time from ovulation to menses was only 9-11 days. That explained my short cycles -- and you can see why having "short cycles" isn't enough information. You have to know if you're ovulating early, or having a short "luteal phase" (after ovulation) or both. Each one is a different reason.

So given all that, when I got past the first fear that I was dying and the first trip to the ER and all that jazz, I began to discover that my current symptoms are all related to low progesterone levels associated with peri. Most key to me is that the symptoms all happen in the luteal phase of my cycle. Gee, how obvious can it get! Right after ovulation I start the wierd aches and pains, twitching, headaches, warm fuzzies (I don't call them hot flashes yet, they are pretty mild), breast tenderness, dizziness and zinging electric feeling in my head. Not to mention the fear and anxiety and depression. But I wont' let that bother me any more. Real as it seems, I am too stubborn (and have too much LIFE to do) to listen to it for long.

I have noticed over the years that taking PLUS by Mannatech is the best thing for all my hormonal "wierdness" (helps to regulate my cycles and usual symptoms of luteal phase defect a.k.a. progesterone deficiency) -- and having heard a friend say she used it for peri and it was her saving grace, I started taking it like crazy. I can literally stop a zingy warm fuzzy phase in it's tracks and get feeling normal again within 15 minutes by taking two PLUS. And they help for several hours at a time.

In addition, I did get my good ol' ProGest cream again. And that too is a huge lifesaver. I"m still watching the impact of this new phase of life on my cycles. At this point, I'm anticipating taking PLUS every day, and then using ProGest (or some other progesterone cream) after ovulation. I suspect that the reason that LivetoLove experienced problems is from using it too early, before it would have naturally occurred. Probably threw off the balance of everything. I highly recommend finding a NaPro Technology / Creighton Model practitioner in your area to help you chart your cycles, and identify the right time in each cycle to start using it. For me, I won't start my period while I"m on it, so I have to take a pregnancy test on day 28 to be sure, then go off it, so my period will start. And so far, I'm finding that I feel almost completely normal duing the first half of my cycle.

So far, I have never read anything about it being dangerous. I was told by a friend that she took progesterone for her menopause symptoms and it caused her to develop breast cancer....BUT I have to say that she admittedly is not "up on" these things, and for all I know it was actually estrogen she was given, not progesterone. That seems likely, considering that all happened many years ago. In all my research since she told me that, I have only encountered information on breast cancer being associated with estrogen dominance. Does anyone know more about that, which I might be missing????

Hope this is helpful to someone. I am grateful for y'all being here to discuss all this with!

My new doctor suggested i visit a compounding pharmacy and talk to them about bioidentical hormones.My question is should i try over the counter progesterone cream first before getting the compounded cream since over the counter is weaker?I am thinking maybe i should try the weaker stuff first before getting something stronger.....but i guess i am not sure what the difference in the two is....exactly what is the difference in over the counter and compounded?

Hope I'm not changing the topic but I'm looking for opinions from the real experts here. I notice many of you have experience with bioidentical hormones. Have you found success for symptoms that persist all month, not just at certain phases of your cycle? In particular, I'm talking about monthlong anxiety.
Never had it till last year and I'm looking into bioidenticals for relief. Any success stories?

Thanks.

Hi lidge26

I had a lot of anxiety last year and since I have been on over the counter progest cream, my anxiety is so much better. The only time I notice it now, is when I am off the cream for my 7 days. I know that porgest cream is a natural anti depressent in a very mild form.

Mopsy

Me too. I answered another of your posts about this but I've been using Vivelle dot and Prometrium and they have helped immensely!

I have been on bio-identical est/pg cream but have discovered that I am estrogen dominance and need progestrone cream.

I finally ordered Dr. John Lee's book, What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You about Menopause. It is an excellent book. It is the breakthrough on Natural Hormone balance. He says that you CAN get too much progestrone cream and how to use it. Excellent source!

Also read the article on this site about Estrogen and Progestrone.

Can someone help me with my question please?Thanks in advance.

I have found alot of answers in this book by Dr. John Lee, What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You about Menopause. Suggest you buy it and it explains ALOT of what you are asking.

After reading John Lee's book I ran out and bought ProGest and although it took me a few months to get up the courage to try it, I did use it and felt so much better after 2 months. Then overnight I develped a lump in my armpit. It went away in 2 days, but I now have severe pain in my armpit and it's been 6 weeks (I've seen my Dr. and she feels no cause to worry at this point). But what I"m getting at here, is when I first felt the lump I began "googling" progesterone cream and breast cancer and the one site that did give me cause for concern, was that of Dr. Susan Love, breast cancer expert. She indicates she does not recommend using the cream until further research is done. Dr. Andrew Weil also indicates the same. Some doctors feel that Dr. Lee's beliefs on progesterone cream are "too simplistic."

So.....here I have this tube of Progest sitting on my dresser, which made me feel so much better, but now I am hesistant to use it. I guess we all have to weigh the benefits vs. risks, quality of life etc.

I wish there were simple answers!

Read the transcript on this site from Betty Kamen. She advocates LOW DOSE progesterone. I am desperate and willing to try it but I can't find a cream! Maybe it's the dosage that is the problem, I don't know I haven't used a cream yet and am still looking for one.

oncourse,i just read the transcript you are talking about and i found it VERY interesting because most of the creams on the market i have seen contain 900-960 mg. of progesterone per ounce and she recommends one that has no more than 10 per ounce,that is a HUGE difference .I think most of the ladies on this board use a high dose cream.....anyone have any comments to share?have any of you used a cream that only contains 10mg.?
by the way,i know GNC brand only contains 10mg.

correction:Betty Kamen says the amount of progesterone should be no more than 10.mg.in a 2-ounce jar.

I use the over the counter progest cream and I think it has something like 450 (or so) ounces per jar but I don't have the jar in front of me to have the accurate numbers.

Mopsy

GNC doesn't say micronized USP on the label but they (GNC customer service) said they no longer have to use the USP on the label (not mandatory).

There is 5mg per oz which is 10mg for 2oz which is what Betty Kamen suggests. I would think about this one but I wonder if it not saying micronized is a problem.

Does anyone know what is the total mg in progest and what would be in the dosage?

personaly I am against P cream. but when I used it, it came with a measuring spoon, I think equivalent for 1/2tsp leveled, this makes up for 1g on cream. But mine was from compound pharmacy too. I think if it is not micronized, it does not get absorbed through the skin.

Iradan,why are you against progesterone cream?did you have a bad experience with it or something?

I am suprised there hasn't been any responses to this thread in a few days.I am very curious as to why Betty Kamen suggests using a cream that only contains 10mg. total in the jar when most women who use the cream use ones with WAY higher amounts in them.John Lee had a totally different theory than Betty....it is all SO confusing....who are we to believe and trust?How do we know where to even begin?

I read Dr. Lee's book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause", and was sold on progesterone. I found the brand Femcreme to my liking, so began using it (for anxiety and irritability). I used the recommended amount, which matched Dr. Lee's, and I was very happy with the results. After using it for about four months, I began to get pain in my breasts -- like needles stabbing me -- ouch! My breasts also became a bit "lumpy". Needless to say, I stopped using it, and within about two months, I was back to normal. I just figured progesterone is not what my body needs now, maybe never. If I ever have a need to try it again, I would use half the amount. But, truthfully, I'm pretty reluctant to try it again!

RedFox

I was using progesterone cream compounded by doc and pharmacy and taking 1 gram....too much! At least for me....all my peri symptoms got much, much, much worse....this despite my salvia test showing I am low normal for peri in progesterone....I would go at very low dose to start provided you find that you really need it....Joan

Personally, I am much more at ease with starting with the lowest dose possible and progressing to higher doses if needed. I'd only be guessing at whether progesterone is what I need anyway, so I'd like to give myself the chance to find a remedy with the least number of side effects.

I want the try the GNC but I don't think it says micronized USP on the label so I'm still not sure it's the right type to take, even if it meets Kamen's recommendations. I emailed Kamen and got no response

She is VERY reluctant to recommend a manufacturer of the cream with the dose she recommends. Maybe it's because she doesn't KNOW of a manufacturer at this time. I'm spinning my wheels again on this. I emailed Bellvue Pharamacy and they recommend the original Progest but I think it's, again, a higher concentration.

i don't think any of the over-the-counter creams are micronized.I think i am going to give the GNC brand a try.

I haven't posted in awhile- but I too am having difficulty with p cream- I get mine from a compounded pharmacy- I feel crazy when I don't use it and then awful when I do. This wasn't always the case though. I was fine up until a acouple of months ago- so maybe my estrogen levels are dropping too. When I use the cream - I feel as if I have estrogen dominant symptoms. I went to my Ob/gyn and she's going to do saiva test. This is so annoying. I went through a period of feeling great and then WHAM_ I feel like crap again. Reading the other posts has assured me that it's not in my head. I'm going to try halfing the dose. My periods are SO irregular- I skip a month or two and then have short cycles.
fina

Fina, my periods are much like you describe too, all over the place. I have accepted this as "normal", because I've understood that this is a normal part of perimenopause. Is this something you're worried about?

RedFox

[quote name='RedFox' date='Jun 22 2006, 09:44 PM' post='128992']
Fina, my periods are much like you describe too, all over the place. I have accepted this as "normal", because I've understood that this is a normal part of perimenopause. Is this something you're worried about?

RedFox

Red Fox- thanks for your concern- It's not so much worry as I want to feel a little more stable. I don't remember having all these "moments" until I started using the cream. So I decided that I was going to give myself a break and see what happens. Three days ago when I started to use the cream again- I felt immediately PMSing- cramps, spotting, breast tenderness, bloating... So- I had a litttle chat with myself and said this is my normalcy and I'm going to accept it. I originally was on Prometrium about 3yrs ago after having a D & C- I had very heavy continual bleeding- the progesterone helped with that. But now I feel like my body is "changing" again. My gyn suggested that maybe I need a little estrogen. but geez- I was on estrogen overload- so why would I want to do that- and my feeing is if I'm taking all these hormones- be it synthetic or natural- aren't I just prolonging my peri-menopause? I'll just keep getting my period forever.
I think the confusion is really my worry. So- time will tell.
Thanks, fina

Fina- I remember reading somewhere that Dr. Christine Northrup had to use a thyroid medication but only for a short time during peri/meno. Her thyroid eventually fixed itself. This perhaps is similar to what we might need to do with estrogen and progesterone. I am guessing that things change constantly and we get to a point that what was once working for us is now not a viable option - just a constant dance we have to do with these hormone levels. I suppose this could go on for years.

Oncourse- According to my thyroid levels - it shows that I am slightly hyper- with none of the syptoms-though I seem to have symptoms of hypo - so who knows. I've been to an endocrinologist and she doesn't seem too concerned- because of my age and peri. I think eventually everything will calm down and even out.
fina

just a quick question ladies about progesterone cream.
has anyone had weight gain or water retention using the cream?

thanks,
laura

Oh, yes, Laura! I used it for just a month and a half and had to stop. During that time I just wanted to eat, eat, eat....just craved everything...I don't know why as I did not really feel hungry....my DH commented that my behind was "filling out", my stomach got bloated and breasts sore and tender....I guess it wasn't for me. Now off for over a month and bloating much better, gone down just a bit, and I don't have all those cravings.....Joan

oncourse...have you found a low dose cream yet?I haven't found one besides the GNC brand.

Hi Ladies...



[size=6]I have a question about the Progesterone Cream?

does it make your period start or what?

Do you take it until your period starts...


I use it for 2 weeks then stop... Sometimes I get a period... Sometimes I don't...

My periods are irregular...

also. what can you do about irregular periods?

in general I would like to know how is everyone using the cream to control their period?

PLEASE..... any info is helpful.... THANKS IN ADVACE....


..

I am peri... 51 yrs. old

hi joan,
thanks for responding. i guess i didn't sign up to recieve a notification when someone replies to the thread. my appetite hasn't increased, but i've just got more fat than i used to. it has helped tremendously with the mood swings, anxiety and hot flashes and is helping me sleep better at night too. so i'm really hesitant to stop taking it. none of the web sites i've gone to has said that it would cause weight gain, tho. were you able to find something else that worked?

Iand just starting premenopause also . It started about April but until then I was having regular periods every 28 days.I got so many symptoms all at once so I was at wits end. I am in retail so I talk to alot of women and 2 suggest taking a saliva test or blood work to see if you are low on progestorone. My test came back that I was low so I was told to get pro-gest body cream and use 1/4 of a teasoon once in the morning and once at night..I have missed on period. I have been on this cream 21 days. now off for 7 days.. I am only in my first month using it and it says it takes one or 2 months to see results.Do not take when bleeding has started. I had been told by to customers that this cream helped and gave them there life back.. Symptoms have improved but some are still there... Progestorone creams is by emerita and can be bought in any natural food store. Also primrose oil helps too. I take 2 at bedtime and to help me sleep I take melatonin intead of any sleeping aid and i sleep now without waking 10 times a night.. Hope this helps
I am peri..... 54 yrs old Hope some of this helps you

BUMP......i am hoping someone can shed some light on this....i emailed Betty Kamen and asked why she recommends using a cream that only has 10mg. per 2 ounces and her reply was ". Large amounts of any hormone should only be prescribed by a physician. Our bodies produce very small amounts of hormones."

Here is excerpt from Dr.Mercola article on P cream:

HTH

thanks iradan for this excerpt.
did dr. mercola go on to say how to normalize the adrenals? i've just discovered that i have adrenal fatigue and started taking a low dose of dhea. i've been taking it about a week, so it's hard to say if it's doing any good yet. my moodiness has improved a little tho, and that's been nice. i hate the roller coaster emotions. i did take progesterone cream for several months, and it worked great the first month, but i felt like it started to make me worse in the emotional dept. and in my sleeping at night, so i stopped taking it.
thanks again!

You can go to www.mercola.com, and search for this article, and also read tons of info on hormones and Progesterone.
Adrenal fatigue has been addressed in many books by many Endocrinilogists, and some treat it with cortisol, while others - with lifestyle and diet changes, and supplements:
Vitamin C
B - stress complex
Licorice - adrenal support
I would carefull with DHEA, not a completely harmless, and may cause cancer in a long run. IMHO, toying with hormones is tricky business, so I would start with diet, lifestyle and supplements first:

Lose alcohol, coffee, all stimulants, be in bed by 10 and sleep 8 hours, meditate, go easy on exercise (more not always better), especially high intensity cardio (better lift weights, yoga, stretching, walking), eat enough proteina and good fats at any meal, and only unprocessed whole foods, and absolutely NO SUGAR OF ANY KIND AND PROCESSED JUNK CARBS!
To be Dx with adrenal fatigue you need to have: weight loss, low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, low sodium, etc.
Also, AM cortisol and/or 24 hours test is helpfull. In most cases, adrenal fatigue is temporary and goes away when condition resolved, and being on hormonal rollercoster is very stressfull for our body. So our autonomic ( nervous) system goes out of whack and causes all these nasty symptoms: indigestion, heart palps, muscle and joint pain and tension, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue.
HTH,
I.

thanks iradan for the info. i've been reading a lot on adrenal fatigue, altho i haven't read about the cancer and dhea.
take care!

quote:"The problem relates to the fact that progesterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to the skin will store itself in a woman’s fat tissue"

so...should i assume that if a woman has no fat on her body then even something like progest may be too strong for her?Should a very thin woman use way less cream than a heavy woman?Is it possible that the ones who have alot of side effects from the cream may do better if they decrease their dose?

[quote name='moonlight' date='Jul 27 2006, 05:00 PM' post='133056']
quote:"The problem relates to the fact that progesterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to the skin will store itself in a woman’s fat tissue"

so...should i assume that if a woman has no fat on her body then even something like progest may be too strong for her?Should a very thin woman use way less cream than a heavy woman?Is it possible that the ones who have alot of side effects from the cream may do better if they decrease their dose?
[/quot]
I am not sure if there is a human being who has no body fat at all, especially a female . Initially, doctors recommended rubbing cream on inner tighs and belly (where the fat actually accumulates) but then I've read that it's wrong, and it's better to apply it on thin skin: neck, chest, inside of the wrists. I would imagine that every hormone should be used with caution and the dose should be based on women's weight as well.
If you have too Progesteron built up in your body, it will create imbalance and your body will let you know.

Is the theory the adrenal glands are sluggish in some way? The cortisol shot stimuates the adrenals?

Anyone using the low dose cream at this point?