Can heavier bleeding be caused by using too much progesterone?

by L
(South Africa)

Dear Wray, I am 50 and have cycles of 40-60 days apart. I have been using the cream twice a day, every day.

My last period of 7 days long was the heaviest period ever in my life, I was flooding for 3 days, soaking large pads every hour. Preceding and during this period I used the cream more excessively than the months before. I wonder if that was why my period got so heavy for three full days and nights? The period stopped 4 days ago and I have not started using the cream again.

My question for now is when and how should I start using the cream again? Also, I have been very nauseaous for one full day during this last period. Thank you so much for a fabulous site. You are heaven-sent to many of us.

Comments for
Can heavier bleeding be caused by using too much progesterone?

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Sep 02, 2010
 yes, a Godsend
by: Michele

Yes, Wray - thank you for helping us! There seems to be a conspiracy of silence from the medical establishment on progesterone therapy - it actually makes me angry.

again - thanks

Michele
Sep 02, 2010
 Re: Heavy Bleeding
by: Eve

Everything I have read/researched suggests heavy bleeding is due to excess estrogen not progesterone. My guess is your dose of progesterone is far too low (you didn't specify the amount). As far as restarting your dose, I would suggest starting progesterone back up after your period stops since you are in pre-menopause. There is some fabulous research out there by a Dr. Kitte (Katharina) Dalton. She passed in 2004 but some amazing information about progesterone. She was a pioneer of her time...good reads! Bless you in your journey!
Sep 02, 2010
 Can heavier bleeding be caused by using too much progesterone?
by: Wray

Hi L Thanks so much for the kind words. Peri-menopause is the most difficult time, thank heavens it's behind me! Periods come and go when they want, there is no way to control them. Sometimes it's nothing more than spotting, sometimes flooding as you've just had. Sometimes 2 weeks apart, sometimes two or more months apart. For more info please see our page on Peri-menopause. You are using the cream correctly, as it's impossible to follow the non existent cycle. Oestrogen stimulates cells to divide and multiply, including those in the endometrium. Your ovaries are still making oestrogen, so each cycle this builds up, sometimes excessively. So when your period does occur there will be far more blood than normal. Some months little oestrogen is made, so there will only be spotting when you do have a period. So using more progesterone won't affect how much you bleed, that's entirely dependant on oestrogen and how thick the lining is that cycle. The nausea is caused by excess oestrogen, lack of progesterone too. Interesting this, as the nausea in early pregnancy has the same cause. In fact Dr Dalton would give very high amounts of progesterone to her patients who had nausea when pregnant. So don't be concerned it's the progesterone causing the heavier periods, there's nothing you can do about it. So if the progesterone was helping with other symptoms, please continue using it again as you were. I wish I could say it will help the erratic cycles and flooding, but it can't. Take care Wray
Sep 07, 2010
 yes, a Godsend
by: Wray

Hi Michele Thanks for the kind words! I do wonder myself, is it a conspiracy or ignorance? Many believe it's only valid during IVF treatments or for recurrent miscarriages, believing it to be only a pregnancy hormone. And yet it plays so many roles. Progesterone regulates gene expression, has a positive fundamental effect on cell differentiation and growth, with anti-oxidative and autoimmune anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It positively effect the nervous system by stimulating neurotrophic factors, quenching oxidative hyperactivity and regulating autoimmune responses. It reduces oedema and inflammatory cytokines, prevents neuronal loss and improves functional outcomes in traumatic brain injury. Progesterone's neuroprotective affect is shown in motoneuron neurodegeneration and myelin formation. Many beneficial roles! Take care Wray
Sep 07, 2010
 Re: Heavy Bleeding
by: Wray

Hi Eve You are right heavy bleeding is due to excess oestrogen. I'm so pleased you mentioned Dr Dalton, she was my mentor when alive, always giving her time freely to me if I had a query. A wonderful woman who saved the sanity of many thousands of women, we need more like her! For those interested there is a link to one of her books here Take care Wray
Sep 18, 2010
 here I go again
by: L

Thank you so much for all the valuable info and references. I have been using the cream twice a day (=half a teaspoon twice a day. Today my period has started again (27 days after the last one) and I am already incredibally worried how it is going to go this time; whether I will make it through my very demanding job this week and avoid nausea and flooding. I will keep applying the cream and hope with all my heart this may be a manageable period. This is my fourth month of using the cream... many thanks again,L x
Oct 06, 2010
 here I go again
by: Wray

Hi L Pleased they were of help. This comes too late to reassure you, we've had such problems with our server, I'm now very behind in answering queries. Please let me know how you fared. One thing you didn't mention, and I forgot to ask, was the strength of the cream you are using. Some creams are only 1.6% progesterone, if yours is, the 1tsp would be giving you only 75mg/day progesterone. It really needs to be between 100-200mg/day, in your case the higher amount would be optimal until things calmed down. Maybe you could let me know. It can be used more than twice a day too, rub it on whenever you feel nauseous or stressed. Take care Wray
Oct 17, 2010
 Progesterone cream works like a dream
by: L

Hi Wray, thank you so much again. I am happy to let you know my last period (a month ago) was only 7 days long and without any problem!!! The first two days were heavy but then it eased off; no flooding; no nausea! All thanks to your wonderful advice: On day 1 and 2 I used the cream hourly; it worked wonders. From day 3 I used it around 3x a day. What a change it made!! I am supposed to start menstruating any day now; but as I am 50 and perimenopausal it might be delayed. I experienced ovulation pain about 2 weeks ago, so I think it may show up. I am ready with the progesterone cream. I have checked the compostion: 3% m/v (30mg/ml)(xenoestrogen-free). I intend using this cream for many years ahead, instead of synthetic hormones. Is it true that it may lose its effect if used too long? Thanks again Wray.
Oct 22, 2010
 Progesterone cream works like a dream
by: Wray

Hi L I'm so pleased my advice worked and you now have no flooding or nausea. It really does help to go high too, so use more if you feel you need it. I've checked the instruction leaflet, and the website too, and it does not say what other ingredients it contains, besides lecithin. I'm mistrustful of companies that don't give full disclosure, please make sure the lecithin is from non GMO soy beans, as most lecithin comes from GM soy. Non GM is much more expensive. Their instruction leaflet is confusing too, as several times it says use once a day, but in one para it says use twice a day. To use if from day 10 is incorrect too, as this would only apply to a woman who ovulated on day 9, giving her a 24 day cycle. I suggest you try increasing the amount you use to 200mg/day for day 1 and 2, if not the entire period. I would hope this would shorten your bleeding time, but I can't tell you if this will work, it's a question of experimenting. I will never stop using progesterone, it's excellent for ageing and protecting us from the many oestrogen mimics we now have in our food, water, air and the skin care we use. Please see this excellent site Our Stolen Future. I've used progesterone daily for 14 years now, and I still use the same amount, except when stressed, when I use more! Take care Wray

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