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Bleeding even heavier using Natpro

I'm 57 and have not yet gone through menopause. My latest hormone test for estrogen and FSH have come back as normal (estrogen 157 and FSH 17). However, I have fiboids and they are causing heavy and continuous bleeding. My iron is very low at 7 and I'm light-headed and dizzy. Needless to say, my gynae wants to do a hysterectomy and I'm almost ready to agree.

I've been using Natpro natural progesterone cream for 17 days and the bleeding is even heavier (if that's possible!) If my iron was low before I started, I shudder to think what it is now. My question is, do I persevere with the cream and if so, when will the bleeding stop? Also, because my bleeding is continuous, must I use it every day of the month as I have lost track of my cycle?

Comments for Bleeding even heavier using Natpro

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Oct 15, 2010
 don't give up
by: Anonymous

I know how you feel; it becomes very confusing. I've been through two or three very heavy floods. I also wondered whether it could be the cream. Wray advised that I should be using larger doses of the cream. When my next period arrived, I applied the cream hourly, and it worked! The flow was reduced and the period was almost normal. I have started cutting out meat, alcohol, coffee or only have it occasionally. I think this is helping me as well. Don't give up on the cream -- try to increase it. It cannot harm you. Good luck, don't give up!
Oct 17, 2010
 Bleeding even heavier using Natpro
by: Wray

Hi there When first using progesterone it can cause heavier bleeding, plus disrupting the cycle too. I've found for heavy, continuous bleeding between 400-600mg/day progesterone is needed. It is essential to use it daily if bleeding is continuous. Once it's stopped the amount can be reduced slowly till the optimum is found. Metrorrhagia, or abnormal bleeding, occurs particularly during peri-menopause, where the normal cycle length becomes disrupted. It's typically associated with anovulation or lack of ovulation. In the last few months before menopause bleeding can be excessive leading to menorrhagia. Menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea is excessive blood flow and for a prolonged time. Often there is little distinction between one period and the next. It's caused by hormonal imbalances, and exacerbated by fibroids, cancer, PCOS and adenomyosis amongst others. Unfortunately as we near menopause the cycle becomes more and more disrupted. For more info please see Peri-menopause. Progesterone does stop the heavy bleeding, but only if a high enough amount is used. How long it will take depends on the individual, how bad the bleeding is and how much oestrogen is present. Oestrogen is a mitogen, it stimulates cells to grow, hence your Fibroids. It's vital for stimulating the endometrium each month to grow and thicken ready for a possible fertilised egg. But in excess it stimulates cells to continue growing, and without sufficient progesterone to suppress the oestrogen, they will continue growing. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP?s) are enzymes that break down protein. They play a role in the breakdown of endometrial tissues at the end of the menstrual cycle. If they are over active, as would be the case with excess oestrogen in the body, as oestrogen stimulates their production, the result is a pathological reaction. A high level of MMP?s can lead to inflammation and excessive bleeding in the uterus. If a low level of progesterone is present, and a high level of oestrogen, the lining will continue to grow. With a high level of MMP?s the lining will also continue to break down. Progesterone suppresses both MMP?s and oestrogen, please see here and here. Before you consider a hyst, please see this website on Hysterectomy. Take care Wray

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