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Help with conversion

by Jennifer

I just bought natural progesterone cream and the instructions say take 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon morning and night beginning the 12th day after menstruation and continue to the 26th day but how do I know how many milligrams that is?

I've read that you say 100mg usually is the best. I am 26 years and have had oestrogen dominance for many years now and have just recently discovered progesterone cream. This is my first time taking it. My cycle right now is usually around 30 days. I've read good reviews and very bad reviews but I have already changed to all organic food and chemical free products. Most importantly paraben free products. I am somewhat nervous but willing to give this cream a try but I really need help from someone who knows about this as my doctor did not. I have endometriosis, cannot for the life of me lose weight, acne, oily skin, painful periods, hair falls out, low energy, bad memory, along with other symptoms. I'm hoping this cream will help with all that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Comments for Help with conversion

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Nov 10, 2010
 Help with conversion
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer I wish I could help, but unless you give me the strength of the cream, I can't. But judging by the amount you've been told to use, ie 1/8th to 1/4 tsp, it's the standard 'dose' most web sites/instructions give. In which case you will be getting about 20-40mg/day. This will merely ramp up oestrogen's affect, see here for more info on Oestrogen Dominance. Progesterone should only be used from ovulation for the 12-14 days of the luteal phase, which varies hugely in women. We only make progesterone during the luteal phase, the aim with supplemental progesterone is to follow our cycle. These can be anything from 21 days to 35 days, which gives a 28 day average. A normal luteal phase is always, in all women, the 12-14 days before we bleed. Which means you should only start using it on day 17, and for the next 14 days, as you have a 30 day cycle. The bad news you've read is women being given incorrect instructions, and oestrogen dominance occurring. This is the protocol I suggest for endo, which has worked for others. Start with 500mg/day for 4 days; reduce to 330mg/day for 6 days; reduce to 250mg/day. And continue on the 250mg/day for 1-3 months or until confident the pain won't return. Then reduce slowly till the optimum is found, finally following the cycle again. If I'm right about the strength of the cream you have, you will have to use 6 1/4tsp to get 500mg progesterone, 4 1/4 tsp for the 330mg, 3 1/8th tsp for the 250mg. I suggest you use it several times a day, as you will not be able to get all that cream on using it twice a day. We do have a page on Endometriosis, you might like to read. We also have a page on Acne. Please read through this too. Very pleased you've changed to organic and avoiding the synthetic preservatives too. Phenoxyethanol is another preservative which should be avoided and is often used in 'natural' cosmetics, see here.. Also grapefruit seed extract, see here. The problem you have with loosing weight is the excess oestrogen you have. This is a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, including fat cells. It also causes Insulin Resistance, please read through this page, it might throw some light on things. Take care Wray
Nov 11, 2010
 Re:
by: Jennifer

Thank you Wray for getting back to me. I looked on the tub but it does not have the strength but I believe your calculations are correct. Thank you for giving me a better process to follow. I will give it a try. My 17th day will be next Friday so I will start with it then and I have a journal so I can record my reactions each day. I do not want any more symptoms of oestrogen dominance so I was worried I wouldn't be taken enough so I feel better with the higher doses. I exercise 3-4 days a week doing a hardcore gym class but no weight loss. That is what led me to looking into progesterone. I read over the pages you suggested and it did help. I do have many of the symptoms of Insulin Resistance. Your website has been most helpful along with your response. I will let you know how things work out for me once I start using the cream but I already feel like I know it's going to work!
Nov 11, 2010
 Comment for "Help with conversion"
by: Suzanna

Jennifer,
I was diagnosed with Endometriosis June 2009. This was after being on the pill for 19 years as well as giving birth to a healthy boy (12 years ago) and a healthy girl (10 years ago). About 6 months after getting off the pill (2005), I began having severe pains in my lower abdomen. I associated it with my back being out of place and stress. We were living overseas at the time and I ran cross country every other day. It was after we moved back to the US, that I was diagnosed with the Endometriosis. Not knowing anything about all natural Progesterone and its amazing benefits, I opted for Laparoscopic surgery. I wish now I had known then what I know now. Even though the doctor found some Endometriosis and removed it, I continued to have the same pains. Not to mention, the pains that go through your upper body after that type of surgery. Which is due to the gas they pump into your abdomen during surgery, being released through your joints. Thankfully I learned of Natpro Progesterone Cream August of 2009. I began using it October of 2009 and continue to be amazed at how it makes me feel as well as how my pain no longer exists. I will say, I have gotten off of the cream once to see if I could go without it, the pains returned within 2 weeks. Needless to say, I am back on it and plan on staying on it. I use it everyday, twice a day. I do not worry about when my cycle is, it shows up every month right on time and lasts about 5 days. About 1 week prior to my cycle I will feel some small twinges of pain. I have just recently decided to up my dose 1 week prior to my cycle.

I also began having issues with my skin and changed my skin care routine to an all organic skin care line called Skin Organics out of Austin, TX. They sell it online as well as at Whole Foods. Being I run 5 miles every other day, have great genes and have always eaten somewhat healthy, I have never dealt with the weight gain that Estrogen dominance can cause. If you follow Wray's advice, you will see how amazing Progesterone can make you feel. I would also suggest you take Vitamin D, Omega 3's and a good multi-vitamin.

Good Luck.
Nov 12, 2010
 Re:
by: Jennifer

Suzanna, thanks for your response. I have actually had 3 surgeries for my endo and they were all very unpleasant. I had the worst gas pains afterwards as well as having to be hospitalized after my first one and yet they still did 2 more after that. After the 3rd surgery my pain has minimized to only hurting during my period. I have the most unbearable back pain along with the cramps but thankful my periods are only about 3 days long. I was on birth control pills after my surgery because the doctor said it would slow the growth of endo but I was on Yaz and had terrible side effects and decided to get off of it a year ago and started exercising and changing my eating habits. I have been on birth control since I was 14 due to having terrible periods and having to miss school. I am so shocked to see that my doctor then and even my doctor now know nothing about progesterone and they could have made the last 10 years of my life so much better than they have been. I even went to a dermatologist for my flushed face and acne and all they wanted to do was put me on Acutane but luckily I knew the side effects of that and said no. I feel so much better that you have experience with this and have seen results. I can't wait to start using the cream. I am going to follow Wray's advice on the dosage and schedule and see how it works out. I actually take a B12 vitamin and an Omega 3 vitamin so I will add the Vit D to help. Thanks again for your response. I greatly appreciate it!
Nov 14, 2010
 Re:
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer Maybe the container tells you how much progesterone it contains and how many g or oz it weighs? In which case you could work out how strong it is. I don't think you'll get oestrogen dominance symptoms on the high amount, but it's difficult to tell. So please be aware of it! A journal is a good idea, I would be very interested to hear of how you get on using it, please let me know. So pleased the info I gave and that on the site has helped. I love your positive attitude too! Take care Wray
Nov 14, 2010
 Comment for "Help with conversion"
by: Wray

Hi Suzanna Bless you for sharing this story, and how happy I am that the progesterone has helped you! Particularly that you have no pain now, that's a blessing if ever there was one. The op sounds too ghastly, like something out of the dark ages. Contraceptives are another thing which I think should be consigned to the dust bin! Please read through this page, I know you are off them now, but maybe you have friends who still use them. Please pass it on to them. As with everything I write, there are plenty of reference papers to back up what I say. I have also tried coming off the cream to see if I still need it, but I do, and that's in spite of using it for 14 years now. Stress drops progesterone levels, please remember that, so symptoms come back. Many women think it's not working, but it's only the level dropping too low. Recently my nails started getting weak and were breaking, as they did before I discovered progesterone. I must have had extra stress but was unaware of it. So I increased to 330mg/day (2tsp of cream) and within 2 weeks my nails were strong again. But during the increase I had many aches and pains again! These have gone too. Thanks for giving the link to the organic skin care, so good to know. Vitamin D and the omega's are anti-inflammatories, with many studies done on their benefits, thanks for mentioning them. Take care Wray
Nov 14, 2010
 Re:
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer As I said to Suzanna, the op sounds like something from the dark ages. I'm sure if men got endo another method would have been discovered by now! I fail to see how a contraceptive will help slow the growth of endo. This is stimulated by oestrogen, the only safe way to suppress this is with progesterone. The contraceptive contains a synthetic version, it doesn't surprise me you had terrible side effects from it. Please see the link I've given above, and you'll see why. Why progesterone is so little known is a mystery to me, Dr Dalton was using it for herself and her patients in the late 1940's, over 60 years ago now. I'm glad to see you are taking the omega 3 and the B vitamins. And please add the vitamin D too, a minimum of 5000iu's per day, for more info please see the Vitamin D council website. I should have mentioned this to you, I'm pleased Suzanna did. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and a low level reduces the benefits of progesterone. Take care Wray
Nov 16, 2010
 Re:
by: Jennifer

Wray, I have been over your website reading about what to look for and be careful of when using progesterone cream and I would like your opinion on this cream http://www.organicexcellence.com/chemical-free-products/natural-progesterone-no-phytoestrogen-jar.php in particular as it has different ingredients than Natpro. This Dr. Lee have you ever heard of him? I appreciate your help as I do not want to be using a bad brand of progesterone cream.
Nov 19, 2010
 Re:
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer All the ingredients are good. If you're ever concerned about any skin care, please use the EWG website. It's not a very strong cream, having half the amount of progesterone to Natpro. And yes I have heard of Dr Lee, he's written some excellent books on progesterone. He was a great champion of progesterone before his death. Take care Wray
Nov 20, 2010
 Re:
by: Jennifer

This morning was my first time taking the cream. Since you said its not a strong cream, should I still go by the dosages you gave me earlier or should I do even higher dosages now? I'm glad all the ingredients are safe. I actually do use the cosmetic database website for everything I use. Again I appreciate all the answers and information you have provided me. It has really been so very helpful.
Nov 20, 2010
 Re:
by: Jennifer

I've decided that I will use this cream up this month and then I'm going to switch to Natpro. It's not much difference in price and I know you support Natpro and you have helped me so much. I bought this cream before finding this website and I'm glad to know it is safe but I would rather use a cream you are familiar with if I have any problems or questions. Will I be okay switching from one cream to Natpro? I just posted a minute ago if I need to up my dosage since you said the other cream is not as strong as Natpro. Thanks again for your help!
Nov 24, 2010
 Re:
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer Pleased you use the cosmetic database website, it's excellent. If you wish to try the amount of progesterone I suggested, please use the dosages I worked out for you. ie " If I'm right about the strength of the cream you have, you will have to use 6 1/4tsp to get 500mg progesterone, 4 1/4 tsp for the 330mg, 3 1/8th tsp for the 250mg. I suggest you use it several times a day, as you will not be able to get all that cream on using it twice a day." Incidentally the cream you are currently using, at $24.95, is slightly more than double the price of Natpro. It's not the contents of the container that's critical, but the active ingredients. The 2oz contains 1000mg progesterone, the Natpro contains 2000mg per 2oz. If you do switch creams, please reduce the amounts I've given you by half. ie 3tsp to get 500mg progesterone, 2 tsp for the 330mg, 11/2 tsp for the 250mg. I've no idea how severe your endo is, or the pain you are in. It could be you don't need as much as I've suggested, only you will know this. So please experiment with the amount.
Take care Wray
Jul 10, 2015
 Breast tenderness and fullness/ hair thinning
by: Nemisha

Hello,
I hope you can help me! I'm 44yrs of age, hypertensive but well controlled with medication.
However for the last 18months I've started experiencing terrible breast tenderness and fullness all month but gets worse when I start to ovulate, also noticed hair thinning and low confidence due to weight gain.
I've just completed a months saliva testing for hormones and it has flagged up progesterone bouncing up and down and estrogen being high.
Please can you point me in the right direction as to how to get the breast tenderness down and start to feel so what normal.
Would the cream help me? if so how much do I use and at what point in my cycle.
I'm fed up with this awful feeling and any advice from you would be valuable.
Thanking you in advance for taking the time to read this message
Nemisha

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