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Post by jansie on Jan 29, 2010 9:01:24 GMT -5
I had severe post-partum depression 15 yrs. ago after birth of my 2nd child. Research is now showing that progesterone plummets after delivery; at that time I was treated w/anti-depressants & have literally been on & off them over these past 15 years, w/minimal relief. I always suspected something was not right w/my hormones; was diagnosed w/endo. prior to my marriage 20 yrs. ago; have had 3 laps. for endo., 1 for cyst, 6 yrs. ago. No endo. symptom reoccurrence until I started into peri-menopause about 7 mos. ago & started experiencing w/bio-hormones; was told I needed estrogen AND progesterone. Nurse practioner in my area (I see the moderator of these thread lives in Wis., I live in the Appleton area,) has saliva hormone kits that are sent out to ZRT Labs. I was re-tested after sev. months on hormones (felt AWFUL entire time I was on them). Estrogen was very high & prog. cream was in an expected range for supplementing w/cream. I decided to just try the cream for 2 months. Soon after this the pelvic pain came on severely & the nurse practitioner had me see a gyno who felt the endo & cysts needed to come out. As mentioned I'm back on the prog. cream; tried using less, but am waking up at 2:30, can't go back to sleep, am edgy/nervous & depressed; all of this I have read can happen when prog. is reintroduced back into the body; scary part is I'm also having pelvic pain again. Since I'm in peri-menopause I know some of the symptoms like the chills/sweats are from this but who knows at this point. I try to eat healthy. Some many views out there that I am ready to scream. I would glady take anything to get relief from the low libido, depression/anxiety, etc. that I've felt for years was related to the hormonal imbalance. Everything I've read said that if you don't take enough prog. cream if won't work, but more is not necessarily better for me. I'm not sure what to do anymore; I'm just weary of this quality of life.
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Post by Karen on Jan 29, 2010 18:01:03 GMT -5
Hmm, so are you still on the estrogen? Do you think that's what kind of re-woke the endo pain? Have you tried anything other than the cream? I believe there are suppositories, shots, pills that might be a different way to introduce it to your body? I wish I had my book back - I'd like to think I'd be of more help!
(BTW - I grew up in Clintonville, so I'm familiar with your neck of the woods! I've got a good friend up there, too. Small world, isn't it?)
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Post by Karen on Feb 8, 2010 20:44:46 GMT -5
Here's the latest update... I've been using prog cream for maybe 3-4 cycles without noticing very much. A few little things, but nothing big. But, prompted from an earlier post, I thought I'd increase my dose and see if that made any difference. Ta-dah - it DID!
Since I started tracking my cycles this spring, my luteal phase (time period in between ovulation and period) has always been 7-8 days. (In normal women, it's 12-14 ish. A short luteal phase is often an indicator of hormone imbalance.) So, after I ovulated this month, I fully expected to get my period 7-8 days later. NOPE, not this time! I'm going on 10 days post ovulation! (And, no, there's no way I could be pregnant!) Best part? I've had a lot more pain since my last cycle. It's normally good before ovulation, but after, it sucks. This month sucked from the beginning. But, as soon as I started the prog cream after ovulation, it's next to nothing, and WAY better than the first part of my cycle! Oh, and I've had more energy, too. Yay!!!!
Of course, only time will tell if this is just a fluke or not, but I'm optimistic at the moment. Turns out I just needed more cream!!
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Post by clarissa on Apr 29, 2010 5:54:04 GMT -5
I was about to leap in and start trying Progesterone Cream tomorrow...but having read all these posts I'm thinking that I might hold off on it as had good results this month with the diet change and I'm a bit worried that if I start something else new it might muck it up as my cycles are pretty regular at the moment and the bleeding is not overly heavy - it's just the pain, which the diet seems to be helping. Also, I haven't done a test to see if I actually am low in progesterone - probably a good idea to that first huh?? Any advice?
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Post by Karen on Apr 29, 2010 6:23:45 GMT -5
If you think you might be low in progesterone, there are some symptoms you might be having. I think I posted a questionnaire earlier in this thread that lists them that might help you determine if you could be progesterone deficient OR estrogen dominant. If you have too much estrogen, progesterone cream can be used to balance it out. I got some really good info about this from one of Dr. John Lee's book and it might be worth reading and getting more info.
I'm still using it, but feel like I need a bit more guidance than just 'winging' it. I have an appointment next week with a MD that specializes in bio-identical hormones, so fingers crossed I can get some good info and insight from her!
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emily
New Member
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Post by emily on May 18, 2010 22:05:51 GMT -5
This is a great forum. I love you all for being here and I am glad I found the forum...I have been battling with this thing for years...
My confusion is about the natural progesterone cream. I am thinking about using it, but here is the thing...
I have heard it is used to aid with infertility, but I have also heard that it used in endometriosis to induce a pseudo pregnancy...
how do these two go together...you couldn't possible conceive during the pseudo pregnancy, could you???
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Post by Karen on May 19, 2010 6:38:28 GMT -5
In our bodies, progesterone is the dominant hormone from ovulation until your period, or if you're pregnant, from the time you ovulate until you deliver. Estrogen is dominant in the first half of your cycle.
If your luteal phase (time from ovulation until your period) is short (depending on the person, under 10-12 days or so), woman can use progesterone cream AFTER they ovulate to give their body a bit more of the hormone, give your body a bit of a boost of progesterone levels. The hope is that it will extend their luteal phase to about 12-14 days or more, which is typically optimum to be able to achieve/maintain a pregnancy, assuming there are no other ongoing issues. Some women get their period too quickly after ovulation, which doesn't allow enough time for a fertilized egg to stick.
But, if women use progesterone cream from the time their period ends, through ovulation, and up until they get their period, the progesterone prevents the uterine lining from getting as thick because the estrogen in your body isn't as dominant. Thus, it's an aid in endo. I'm currently using Prometrium (bio-identical progesterone pill) in a low dose to do just that. Three weeks on, one week off.
I hope that makes sense. It's early and I have a head cold, so please let me know if that doesn't make sense! Dr. John Lee is one of the pioneers on bio-identical hormones and I would suggest reading one of his books for more info.
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Post by Karen on May 19, 2010 18:02:07 GMT -5
By the way, I meant to add this: We've all read that estrogen is the bad guy when it comes to endo. There are theories out there that suggest it's not just a matter of removing extra estrogen (thus impacting endo) from our bodies, it's a matter of BALANCING the estrogen in your body with enough progesterone so that the estrogen doesn't just go unchecked in your body and causing all sorts of problems. I don't know if I'm explaining that well enough for you to understand it, but as I said, there's good info out there about it.
I should also add that there's a big difference between synthetic hormones (BC) and bio-identical hormones. I'm all about bio-identical hormones (in the proper dose, of course) since I've experienced some not-so-fun side effects of synthetic hormones.
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Post by clarissa on Jun 22, 2010 14:00:08 GMT -5
I've been using natural progesterone cream for one cycle now. I started day six and finished day 26. It is now day 32 and I've had period pain since day 30 but no bleeding. Is this what I should expect the cream to be doing - that I will get no period? And do I now count the day after I stopped using the cream as day one of a new cycle, which means I should be starting up the cream again today?
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Post by Karen on Jun 22, 2010 17:41:38 GMT -5
I've found that using progesterone cream/progesterone before I ovlulate supresses ovulation for a while for some reason. And if you don't ovulate, you usually won't get your period until you do (although there are some times when people just don't ovulate but still get a period, not that I think that's what's going on with you, but just an FYI for anyone else reading). Perhaps that's what happened with you?
I've recently started a bio-identical progesterone pill in lieu of progesterone cream and my doc directed me to take it 3 weeks on, 1 week off, and mentioned that I may not get my period during that week off. I had cramping and everything, but no period. 2 weeks after I started back up on it, though, my period showed up, so I'm stopping taking it for 7 days, then I'll start back up again.
In your case, I'd think your two options would be to start up 6 or 7 days after you stopped taking it to mimic a cycle and hope your body will catch up, or wait until you get your period and then start up again. Keep in mind, though, that if you're sexually active, be careful as it could throw off your ovulation cycles. (And if you're not sure how ovulation works and all that good stuff, read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wexler! Very, very informative!!) Do you mind me asking - are you using it under a doctor's care, or on your own?
I posted above about how progesterone cream works, but I haven't figured out yet how small doses can delay ovulation/periods yet. That's a question for my doc the next time I see her. But I hope that at least helps you understand a bit of what to expect.
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Post by clarissa on Jun 22, 2010 19:00:21 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply. I'm using on my own. Since I posted this morning the bleeding has started and seems to be quite light so far, so that's positive. I'll I should wait six days from now to start the cream again? If it means that I have 5 week cycles each time instead of four then I'll be happy with that! I don't have to worry about ovulation/pregnancy as my husbands had a vasectomy.
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Post by Karen on Jun 22, 2010 21:34:04 GMT -5
You may have a few goofy months to start out, but the goal is that eventually things will level out! Keep in mind, too, that using progesterone cream can lengthen the time in between ovulating and getting your period (your luteal phase), so that might be part of the equation, too! Do you track your cycles at all to figure out when you ovulate? Probably not since your hubby had the Big V, but might be interesting just for your own info to see where things are at! How did you feel when you were using it - any difference in symptoms/pain at all? I had mixed results with the cream, but excellent results (meaning no pain most days!!) with a higher dose in pill form! I think it just depends on what your body needs. Hope it goes well for you!
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Post by clarissa on Jun 22, 2010 21:40:59 GMT -5
Thanks so much! It's great just to hop on here with questions and know that someones got some answers. My pain mostly only happens around the time of bleeding so will take a few cycles to track the effects of the cream I think. I'll keep on keeping on. All the best wishes to you too!
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Post by Karen on Jun 23, 2010 6:43:47 GMT -5
Well, feel free to pop in here and let us know how you're doing with it, good or bad! It's good to get feedback from lots of different women's experiences!
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Post by redwood on Jul 8, 2010 16:06:38 GMT -5
Well, it seems that most people have some effect from this, at least on the timing of their periods. I have tried progesterone cream/oil for 3 months now. First I used Emerita Pro-Gest and for the first month used it after ovulation on day 12 to day 26. I used 1/4 teaspoon. The only difference was that my period was 28 days instead of 26. The second month I used it days 6-26 and had a 26 day cycle and increased the dose to a "heaping" 1/2 teaspoon. No real changes except it seemed I had more pain after my period. So then I discovered Progestelle online which is progesterone only mixed with coconut oil and nothing else which is supposed to be stronger. I used the amount suggested for endo which was 50mg. The only difference I noticed this month is that I didn't ovulate (usually I can feel it and have some cramping). Still had a 26 day cycle and it was not lighter. Perhaps I need a higher dose? I don't notice any side effects or changes really, other than maybe sleeping a bit better (esp. after using the oil type). I can't imagine putting more than the amount I'm already using as the oil doesn't really rub in that well (although after several hours it totally absorbs into the skin unlike the Emerita which left a sticky residue). Also the website I buy the oil from suggests to remove a lot of items that absorb into your skin that have phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens, etc. For instance chemical sunscreen is really bad - I only use a zinc based formula now. Maybe I need to wait longer to see if it'll work? Has anyone used the oil I've described? I'm getting worried as I've been waiting for 6 months now to try out my natural options and I'm concerned about the endo growing further as I had a liver endometrioma before. Of course, it's "guess" that I have endo again since I didn't have a lap to confirm it - only an ultrasound and it's in the area of my liver surgery scar (the lower end). the US showed "something" was there (probably on the abdominal wall and not on the colon). The pain there comes only with my period (for about the last 9 months). I'm wondering if using prometrim might be a better option if I can get my Dr. to prescribe it.
Karen, I noticed you switched to using Prometrium.
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