Apparently Not Enough Progesterone

by Jenny
(Tucson, Arizona)

I was a raving bad tempered lunatic for about 2 weeks before my cycle each month. The husband got the brunt of it; the dogs got used to running outside when I erupted. (sigh) Didn't know what to do about it.

I'm 45 now and starting looking for help. I mean this was getting ridiculous. I was also not losing weight either even when I exercised.
I learned about progesterone and wondered if that was my problem. I got it and used it 3 or 4 days before my cycle started and the next day I became a normal human again. THE NEXT DAY! I was calmer, happier, (probably because I felt calmer) and that night, boy was I in the mood!

I stopped applying the cream on the first day and then in due course there came a day when I started to get the bitchies. I checked the calendar and sure enough, it was day 14 just like clock work. I applied the cream right away and almost instantly I felt so great and calm and like so NORMAL. Oh!

This stuff has changed my life so much. I don't worry about stuff so much now and am dealing with stressful situations a whole lot better.
I do have more energy and I am assuming that the weight loss will also follow.

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Apparently Not Enough Progesterone

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Jun 30, 2009

Apparently Not Enough Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Jenny. Thanks for sharing this story! I wish more women knew this and not have to wait till their 40's before discovering progesterone. One thing to remember, stress drops progesterone levels sharply so symptoms can come back. If this should happen just add more immediately, if you know you are going to go through a stressful time, apply more cream beforehand. And it does help us handle stressful situations better! Take care, Wray

Jul 23, 2009

Pls someone HELP
by: Tammie

I am using Progesterone cream 30mg, at night. I do ok but I have had a partial hysterectomy and don't know when my period is... I am also in menopause... so, I apply it everyday ! Today, not sure WHY, but, I am soooo tearful and upset and have anxiety... is that a sign I need to put more on ? I am a little confused on how much is too much progesterone ?

Would appreciate any suggestions to get out of this funk and tearful crap.

Jul 26, 2009

Please someone HELP
by: Wray

Hi Tammie. You're not using enough progesterone! 30mg will not help, the dose is far too small, it should be between 100-200mg. Please increase to somewhere between these two figures, symptoms are the way to judge if you're using enough. As you're in menopause use it daily, you have no cycle which could be disrupted. The amount of progesterone needed is dependant on symptoms and their severity. For instance someone with post natal psychosis needs well over 2000mg/day. Please use the cream twice a day too, it keeps levels up. Once a day and they drop too low between doses. Take care, Wray

Jul 26, 2009

How do you know ?
by: Tammie

When you are having your period when you have had a partial hysterocomy ? I put the cream on everyday ! Not sure if it really is helping, I don't really feel any better or worse, still feel sad and depressed? Life should not have to be like this at 47 years old ~ Is my doc giving me too much estrogen, testosterone ? I don't know where to turn... I feel like I am just paying him to give me these shots and driving 55 miles each week to feel crappy ?

He has prescribed 1/4 tsb or 1 gram of pregesterone cream at night on my breasts. Does anyone else use it this way ? Thanks to all that can help me ~ Tammie in Missouri.

Jul 28, 2009

How do you know ?
by: Wray

Hi Tammie. Applying the cream everyday is fine with a partial hysterectomy, it should be used twice daily though. One gram of cream is not enough, especially if it's a low dose cream. Progesterone should be used at levels of between 100-200mg/day to have any effect. If you are having oestrogen and testosterone shots it's no wonder you still feel awful! Both these are 'end hormones', it's far safer to use a precursor like progesterone. The body will balance itself with just the progesterone. Take care, Wray

May 22, 2010

Anxiety
by: Danette

I am relieved that I found your web site. I have been taking Lexapro, 5 mg.for about 22 days now, for anxiety. I have some side effects but the worst is anxiety and not sleeping long enough. I was given the Lexapro in the hospital when all the tests they ran came back negative. I don't think they checked my hormones. Just my thyroid. If they did they didn't say anything to me. My thyroid was elevated a while back but in the hospital it was tested 4 times and it's fine. At that time I was taking the hormone pill for a 10 day period. I know my hormones are very low. I feel terrible. My family doctor told me I am in peri-menopause. My second obgyn told me I have no estrogen and I am in menopause.. I am 53 and having horrible tremors and anxiety and many more symptoms. I have not had my period in 3 years. I think I could handle everything else but the anxiety. I can't function. I can't drive anymore and I don't leave my house unless it is to go see another doctor. My family needs me.

The doctors look at me as if I am crazy. I am not crazy but I feel like I am losing my mind. I was practicing yoga full time and taking care of my family quite well. The second obgyn did a pap smear and said my skin was very thin down there and that I had no estrogen. That's when he gave me HRT. I did not take those pills. These doctors don't want to even talk about bio identical hormones. They would rather hand me a pill and send me on my miserable way. This causes stress just knowing that it's a simple matter of hormone unbalance. After begging for relief, my family doctor finally gave me testosterone cream and told me to wait a month to feel better. He did more blood work at my request, including thyroid. I get the results in a week. I know I probably need a large amounts of progesterone. For now I am taking some OTC progesterone (it has 20 mg of progesterone in it) but I know it's not enough. I can feel my body soaking it up. He said I have to wait a month to get on bio identical hormones. At least he is willing at my request to give them to me. A month seems like years. He doesn't know much about hormones but the compound pharmacy seems to know more about it. That's why they put me on testosterone for now. He thinks I have anxiety for other reasons because I brought in a lot of information regarding women and menopause. He said it's a red flag. I say better informed than not knowing anything about hormones. My first obgyn gave me HRT and I took it about 2 months ago for 10 days and stopped it. Can taking a HRT for 10 days help my thyroid look normal? I never wanted to go that route. Most doctors don't want to give anything but a pill that is so dangerous. I really can't go on like this. So after that long story, how much progesterone should I take to feel better? Thank you in advance.

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May 22, 2010
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Submitted by: Danette

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I am relieved that I found your web site. I have been taking Lexapro, 5 mg.for about 22 days now, for anxiety. I have some side effects but the worst is anxiety and not sleeping long enough. I was given the Lexapro in the hospital when all the tests they ran came back negative. I don't think they checked my hormones. Just my thyroid. If they did they didn't say anything to me. My thyroid was elevated a while back but in the hospital it was tested 4 times and it's fine. At that time I was taking the hormone pill for a 10 day period. I know my hormones are very low. I feel terrible. My family doctor told me I am in peri-menopause. My second obgyn told me I have no estrogen and I am in menopause.. I am 53 and having horrible tremors and anxiety and many more symptoms. I have not had my period in 3 years. I think I could handle everything else but the anxiety. I can't function. I can't drive anymore and I don't leave my house unless it is to go see another doctor. My family needs me. The doctors look at me as if I am crazy. I am not crazy but I feel like I am losing my mind. I was practicing yoga full time and taking care of my family quite well. The second obgyn did a pap smear and said my skin was very thin down there and that I had no estrogen. That's when he gave me HRT. I did not take those pills. These doctors don't want to even talk about bio identical hormones. They would rather hand me a pill and send me on my miserable way. This causes stress just knowing that it's a simple matter of hormone unbalance. After begging for relief, my family doctor finally gave me testosterone cream and told me to wait a month to feel better. He did more blood work at my request, including thyroid. I get the results in a week. I know I probably need a large amounts of progesterone. For now I am taking some OTC progesterone (it has 20 mg of progesterone in it) but I know it's not enough. I can feel my body soaking it up. He said I have to wait a month to get on bio identical hormones. At least he is willing at my request to give them to me. A month seems like years. He doesn't know much about hormones but the compound pharmacy seems to know more about it. That's why they put me on testosterone for now. He thinks I have anxiety for other reasons because I brought in a lot of information regarding women and menopause. He said it's a red flag. I say better informed than not knowing anything about hormones. My first obgyn gave me HRT and I took it about 2 months ago for 10 days and stopped it. Can taking a HRT for 10 days help my thyroid look normal? I never wanted to go that route. Most doctors don't want to give anything but a pill that is so dangerous. I really can't go on like this. So after that long story, how much progesterone should I take to feel better? Thank you in advance.

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May 25, 2010

Anxiety
by: Wray

Hi Danette. You have had a journey! We do have a web page on anxiety, it gives a list of nutrients which all help, please see here. It seems par for the course all the pills you were offered, and no word about progesterone. I'm baffled why you were given testosterone! They often give this because of the misguided idea it will raise libido, but there is no evidence it does, please see here.

I can't agree about the anxiety being caused by finding out what's wrong with you! Anxiety is caused by stress, a drop in blood glucose can cause it too, this in turn drops our neurotransmitters and hormones. HRT would normally slow your thyroid down, so there's probably nothing wrong with it other than a possible lack of vitamin D, please have a test done. Up to 50% of us are deficient in it and it can cause depression and anxiety if low. Plus a low level reduces the benefits of progesterone, for more info please see here. I normally recommend 100-200mg/day progesterone, you will probably need 200mg/day to start with, as your symptoms are bad. Maybe more, but start on that and see how you get on. Symptoms of oestrogen excess could occur, which are most disconcerting, please see here. If you don't want to wait a month you could always get the cream yourself, please see here. Take care, Wray

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May 25, 2010
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Submitted by: Wray

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Hi Danette. You have had a journey! We do have a web page on anxiety, it gives a list of nutrients which all help, <a href="http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/anxiety-attack-symptoms.html" target="_blank">please see here.</a> It seems par for the course all the pills you were offered, and no word about progesterone. I'm baffled why you were given testosterone! They often give this because of the misguided idea it will raise libido, but there is no evidence it does, <a href="http://www.sono.org.br/pdf/2006%20Andersen%20Brain%20Res%20Rev.pdf" target="_blank">please see here.</a> I can't agree about the anxiety being caused by finding out what's wrong with you! Anxiety is caused by stress, a drop in blood glucose can cause it too, this in turn drops our neurotransmitters and hormones. HRT would normally slow your thyroid down, so there's probably nothing wrong with it other than a possible lack of vitamin D, please have a test done. Up to 50% of us are deficient in it and it can cause depression and anxiety if low. Plus a low level reduces the benefits of progesterone, for more info <a href="http://vitamindcouncil.org/" target="_blank">please see here.</a> I normally recommend 100-200mg/day progesterone, you will probably need 200mg/day to start with, as your symptoms are bad. Maybe more, but start on that and see how you get on. Symptoms of oestrogen excess could occur, which are most disconcerting, <a href="http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/estrogen-dominance.html" target="_blank">please see here.</a> If you don't want to wait a month you could always get the cream yourself, <a href="http://www.organicproducts-llc.com/natpro-progesterone-cream.html" target="_blank">please see here.</a> Take care, Wray

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May 25, 2010

Do these Doctor's know?
by: Tammie in Missouri

I have a question that has been really upsetting me. Several doctors have told me, since I had a partical hysterecomy and DO NOT have a uterus... I don't need progesterone! They said that it makes my chances HIGHER for breast cancer... Is this true?

I almost fell off the chair. Presently, I take 2mg of Estradiol; 100mg Progesterone and 1.5mg of Testosterone. They are all Bio-identical and it's cream that I rub on my arms. Please HELP with this alarming news!

May 27, 2010

Do these Doctor's know?
by: Wray

Hi Tammie. The doctors are confusing progesterone with a progestin, which does increase your chance. Oestradiol certainly increases your chances of it, as oestroen is a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, see here. And here. Progesterone has been used successfully against a number of cancers, please see here. Many also mistakenly think progesterone is only needed by the uterus, once that's gone there is no need for it. How untrue this is! There is mounting evidence it's necessary for ageing, please see these...
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4
Paper 5
There appears to be be evidence it is helpful for Alzheimer's too, see here. I have no idea why you were given testosterone, maybe in the mistaken idea it helps with libido. There is no evidence it does, see here. I don't believe any woman needs extra, as it can increase the chances of facial hair, acne and hair loss from the head. Take care, Wray

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May 27, 2010
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Submitted by: Wray

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Hi Tammie. The doctors are confusing progesterone with a progestin, which does increase your chance. Oestradiol certainly increases your chances of it, as oestroen is a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, <a href="http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/13-years-on-bioidentical-hormones.html" target="_blank">see here.</a> And <a href="http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/hrt-research.html" target="_blank">here.</a> Progesterone has been used successfully against a number of cancers, <a href="http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/faq-cancer.html" target="_blank">please see here.</a> Many also mistakenly think progesterone is only needed by the uterus, once that's gone there is no need for it. How untrue this is! There is mounting evidence it's necessary for ageing, please see these... <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19482377" target="_blank">Paper 1</a> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17659348" target="_blank">Paper 2</a> <a href="http://edrv.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/4/387" target="_blank">Paper 3</a> <a href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/t140524nj5v58350/" target="_blank">Paper 4</a> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=16120154" target="_blank">Paper 5</a> There appears to be be evidence it is helpful for <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114108849/ABSTRACT" target="_blank">Alzheimer's too, see here.</a> I have no idea why you were given testosterone, maybe in the mistaken idea it helps with libido. There is no evidence it does, <a href="http://www.sono.org.br/pdf/2006%20Andersen%20Brain%20Res%20Rev.pdf" target="_blank">see here.</a> I don't believe any woman needs extra, as it can increase the chances of facial hair, acne and hair loss from the head. Take care, Wray

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