Early Period and Progesterone

by Karen
(PA)

I have been using Progesterone Cream for about 3 months or so now and see that it has a soothing effect for me. I am very happy with it. This month though I got my period early and was wondering why that happens. I have never had that happen before. Is it related to using the Progesterone Cream?

I am 43 years old and I have always gotten my periods between 21 and 23 days. But last month I got my period on November 28. I started the cream on December 5 which was ovulation and I got my period today, December 13. I wasn't sure what to do so I put the cream on and it really helped calm my anxiety so I think it was a good thing. How do I proceed from here?

Thanks for your help.

Comments for
Early Period and Progesterone

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 31, 2010
 Early Period and Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Karen I'm happy the progesterone has helped you. It can cause early, or late bleeding, it's nothing to be concerned about. The cycle does regulate itself after a month or two. Normally once bleeding has started the progesterone should be stopped, but again it's not harmful if it's continued. It's just that it can upset the cycle. It would help the anxiety as it's a potent anxiolytic, see here, here and here. You are now in the beginning stages of Peri-menopause. Please read through this page, as it'll help you understand the ups and downs of P-M. Luckily you've started progesterone early on, I started late in P-M and would never wish it on anyone! I don't know how much you're using, but I recommend 100-200mg/day, dependant on symptoms. Please remember stress drops progesterone levels, so use more if stressed, as symptoms can come back. If you should need to increase the amount at any stage, please read this page on Oestrogen Dominance before you do. If you know when you ovulate, start using the cream again then. If your cycle is too disrupted at the moment to tell, count back 12-14 days from when you should bleed, and start using it then. Or start the cream on day 8 to 10 after the first day of bleeding, as that's when you should be ovulating with your 21 to 23 day cycle. Take care Wray
Jan 01, 2011
 Ear;y period again
by: Karen

I got my period early for the second month in a row. This time I got it December 30. Can this be from the cream and is it ok?
Jan 09, 2011
 Ear;y period again
by: Wray

Hi Karen It can take a month or two, sometimes more to settle down. It's nothing to be concerned about. And please re-read the page I gave you on peri-menopause. Our cycles can become erratic, but there's nothing we can do about this once started. Take care Wray
Jan 09, 2011
 Big Mistake
by: Anonymous

I was using the cream straight through my periods for two months and decided to stop it this month when I got my period. My anxiety is horrible and I have insomnia. After a week, I realized it might be from stopping the cream and started it up again but haven't noticed a difference yet. I think I must have gotten oestregen dominance. It is awful. I had no idea how much this cream was helping my anxiety. I'm so disappointed I did this. I feel like I'm crawling out of my skin! And it is so hard to just lie there and not fall asleep. I feel this panic. I am hoping it will get better in a few days. Don't do what I did!!
Jan 12, 2011
 Big Mistake
by: W

Hi there Stopping the cream would have caused your progesterone levels to drop sharply. This does normally occur before a period, but evidently you have excess oestrogen, hence the severe symptoms. If the ratio of the two hormones becomes skewed all hell can break loose. Are you using sufficient progesterone, I recommend 100-200mg/day. If you're using too little, it will take longer before symptoms resolve. Please see our page on Oestrogen Dominance for more info. And this page we have on How to use progesterone cream. If the anxiety and panic are too much, please see this page we have on Anxiety. There is a list of nutrients which all help. Take care Wray
Jan 12, 2011
 Oestergen Dominance
by: Anonymous

I just read the section on oestregen dominance but I don't see anxiety or insomnia mentioned on it. In addition, I saw that increased appetite is mentioned but not decreased appetite. What I am noticing is anxiety, panic before i go to bed because I'm fearing what is about to happen (not falling asleep) and an extreme loss of appetite. I can barely eat anything even though I know I need to.

I had tried stopping the cream during this period because I didn't know if possibly using the cream was causing me to get my periods every two weeks. I know I'm in perimenopause but my periods had always been regular. Then I started the cream and three times in a row I got my period every two weeks. I was worried that that might not be good for my body and could cause me to get anemic. So hence this last time I stopped the cream when my period came. Given the horrendous anxiety and insomnia symptoms, I guess my body is telling me that it is better to put up with the every two week periods and possible anemia rather than risk living with anxiety and insomnia.

I might try the tryptophan for the insomnia. I'm still hesitant because I had such a bad reaction to the 5 htp. I got terrible dreadful internal thoughts and I don't know if that could happen if I try the tryptophan. I hope not. It makes me nervous. Have you heard of that happening?
Jan 15, 2011
 Oestergen Dominance
by: Wray

Hi there The info about anxiety and insomnia is on our Anxiety page. Oestrogen dominance can cause an increase is appetite, but anxiety and panic can cause a decrease. It's essential to make progesterone the dominant hormone to stop the panic. It would be far better to put up with the irregular cycles, than that! Peri-menopause is a difficult time for many women, it was for me too. In the early stage of P-M cycles are regular, but with time this changes. Periods can come early or late, with days between bleeding, or many weeks, we can experience flooding with clots or spotting, there's no way of telling when it will come, or what it will be like. I used the progesterone daily, with no break, as my symptoms came back with a vengeance if I took one. Please consider doing this. 5HTP is much stronger than tryptophan, and as this is an amino acid, ie found in our food, I prefer using it. Unfortunately tryp is low in all foods, particularly grains and veggies, it's highest in game which we rarely eat. Please read that page we have on anxiety, as it gives a list of natural antidepressants/anti-anxiety nutrients which all help. Take care Wray
May 12, 2012
 why did you begin the progesteron
by: Anonymous

If you periods were regular before using progesterone what were the symptoms that convinced you to try the cream? I m concerned because I had no symptoms (no indications of peri menopause other than age and after beginning the progesterone my period started early. I am a little confused. The info on the website suggests that progesterone is good to begin using even with no symptoms and regular cycles during the age range for pm but I still have trouble understanding why it would be a good idea to use it if it throws a regular cycle off kilter and produces negative symptoms where there were none.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Progesterone faq

Return to Home Page

Search over 3,000 pages on this site...

Do you have a progesterone deficiency?

This free questionnaire will tell you in 10 minutes

Just enter your email address and click the button...

Why do I ask for your email address? Simply so I can stay in touch. Your details will not be revealed to anyone


Do you have a question or concern?

See what's being discussed, ask for help, give your thoughts or experiences, or just browse...

See the FAQ pages...


Natural Progesterone Cream

Discover the facts...


Health care practitioners and therapists

Here's an
Associate Program
that may be a good fit for your practice


Your language

Translate this website into your language