Just Plain Confused

by Heidi Berg
(Muskegon, MI)

I am so confused. I started using progesterone about 4 months ago. I have only been using 40mg. per day up until recently. I was using the cream for the 2 weeks recommended, but read that it can be used for 3 weeks on and 1 week off, so the last 2 months I used it that way. After discovering your website, I realized that I was using too little of the cream. About 2 weeks ago, I started using 80mg. per day, 40 in the A.M. and 40 in the P.M. I know it's still probably not quite enough, but using more means buying more, which can get expensive. I will buy more if I have to, though, in order to get myself better. I have always suffered from extreme PMS, ever since I was a teenager. I am 32, and am just tired of the PMS, so I started using progesterone. Also, I noticed some black hairs coming in on my chin, as well as extreme shedding of my hair, and figured that indicated a hormonal imbalance. Knowing I have been estrogen dominant for years, coupled with my age, made me think I should start using the progesterone. My hair loss is really scaring me. I feel that I am too young to be in any stage of premenopause, but could I be??? Anyway, my main question is that after upping my dose of progest to the 80mg. per day two weeks ago, I am now experiencing spotting and breast tenderness. The breast tenderness I am used to, because I AlWAYS get sore breasts about 10 days-2 weeks before my period starts, but the soreness started sooner than usual. Shortly after the soreness started is when I started spotting. Could the progesterone have caused this?? Have I been using it incorrectly and put my cycle out of balance?? Should I stop the cream for a while and start again after my normal period comes?? Should I actually up my dose more?? I didn't stop the cream with the spotting, I figure it's OK to keep using it unless a full-blown period happened. My hair loss seems to be getting worse. Can this happen because of the estrogen dominance the body goes through when first using the cream?? I am just worried that I have messed myself up by not using the cream correctly (timing and dose). Can you PLEASE try to help me resolve some of the questions?? I am desperate for answers and guidance. Thank you!!