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Low Progesterone, No Period After Yaz

Hi,

I started taking Yaz for acne when I was fourteen/fifteen. After a few months on the pill, my periods came on time, and were relatively moderate in flow. After two years, I started getting headaches on the second day of my period. Sometimes I would get this sharp pain on my right side by my pelvis. Six months towards the end of the time I took the pill, I started experiencing terrible mood swings. All of this and Yaz still didn't fix my acne--how's that for irony?

I went cold turkey a year ago after having endured three years of the pill and its unwelcome side effects. Not only did coming off the pill cause me to shed 300-500 strands of hair practically everyday for 4 months, I also haven't had a period since.

I went to the doctor recently. She didn't seem to think that my lack of a cycle had anything to do with stopping the pill. But I am certain that it does, as I have never had an issue with my cycle before contraceptives, and was getting them regularly right up until I stopped.

She ran some blood work and thyroid tests. I have no deficiencies or other issues, but my progesterone levels were lower than would be normal for a post-menopausal woman (alarming, considering I am only 19). My blood sugar was also low. When I asked her if the two could be related, she said no. But later, when I conducted my own research online, I found that low blood sugar is, in fact, a symptom of low progesterone.

I have been taking NOW Female Balance (a supplement with dong quai, wild yam, and several other hormonal balancing herbs) once a day. I also ordered a progesterone cream which I have been using twice daily for about two weeks. I use 1/4 tsp, which contains 22 mg of progesterone in the morning and the evening, so that's 44 mg each day.

I could swear that within the first few applications of the cream, I felt more focused, energetic, and content. However, I've been exploring this site, and I am now unsure as to how to use it properly.

Since I don't seem to be having a cycle, how many days consecutively should I use progesterone cream, and how many mg of progesterone should I get each day to get my cycle back?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance!
-

Comments for Low Progesterone, No Period After Yaz

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Jan 29, 2013
 Low Progesterone, No Period After Yaz
by: Wray

Hi there Has anyone checked for PCOS? You said "After a few months on the pill, my periods came on time", this implies they were irregular before the Contraceptive. The acne and irregular periods before the pill makes me suspect it. So too does the low progesterone, it appears you're not ovulating, and the blood glucose issues. If it hasn't been checked, please could you have it done, at least that will some idea of what's going on. The regular periods while on the pill is normal. They force all women into a 28 day cycle, whether it's normal for them or not. There's also more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. I'm glad you're using the progesterone twice a day, all too often women are told to use it only once a day. You are right about the progesterone and blood glucose, oestrogen destabilises it, progesterone doesn't, see here. The dong quai you're taking is oestrogenic, possibly the others are too, not what you need at the moment. Albeit they have a very low affect, but they are still oestrogens. I don't believe the 44mg/day is enough, I recommend 100-200mg/day or more, it's dependant on symptoms. You have Acne, and if you do have PCOS, you would need at least 200mg/day, to suppress the excess testosterone and oestrogen, and to bring your progesterone level up. This will hopefully reverse the hormone imbalance, and start the cycle going again. High testosterone initiates acne, see here. If bound to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) testosterone becomes inactive, progesterone raises levels of SHBG, see here, so preventing the rise of free testosterone and severe PMS. SHBG drops if sugars are eaten, even those found in all grains, legumes, processed milk and sweet starchy fruits and vegetables. Fructose, sucrose and glucose, reduce SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. Thereby allowing testosterone to rise. It's best to avoid all the foods and sugars mentioned. Wine and beers contain carbs, so it's best to avoid those too. Plus alcohol affects hormone levels in women, see here and here. Continued below
Jan 29, 2013
 Low Progesterone, No Period After Yaz Part 2
by: Wray

Hi there It decreases progesterone levels and increases androgen levels, both the total testosterone and free testosterone become higher. Testosterone is notorious at increasing visceral fat, which causes abdominal fat gain, see here and here. The lowered progesterone, higher testosterone probably accounts for the increased risk in breast cancer risk among women, see here and here. Higher testosterone is also associated with an increased risk for Insulin Resistance and heart disease, see here. Sugars and large meals also drop progesterone levels, see here. Plus insulin drops levels too, see here. This means SHBG also drops, testosterone rises, another vicious cycle. Progesterone can act very swiftly, as you've found. But too low a level can result in the reverse occurring within a short space of time, leading to Oestrogen Dominance. Progesterone stimulates oestrogen, the reverse also occurs. I suggest you use much more than you are, and use it daily for 2-3 months. Then when you feel stable you could consider starting a cycle by stopping the progesterone. It could take time for this to settle down, but if you have PCOS 3-6 months is needed to reverse it. And large amounts of antioxidants are needed too. Please have a vitamin D test done, I suspect your level is too low. It's the most important nutrient there is, a potent antioxidant. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Jan 30, 2013
 Thanks for the Response!
by: Shelly

Hi Wray,
Thank you so much for a response. I'm afraid I gave you the wrong impression. I was initially put on yaz to treat my acne. However, during the time I was on the pill, I changed my diet to one free of refined carbs. I now enjoy a low-carb diet focused on fresh produce and lean proteins. I lost a little weight and my acne cleared up. My skin has never been better, and I don't think the yaz had anything to do with it.

I also didn't mean to suggest that my periods were irregular prior to the pill. I had only had my cycle for about a year before I began taking yaz, but it was regular and consistent. I asked my doctor about PCOS, and she didn't seem to think that it was likely because other than my lack of a cycle, I have no other symptoms.

My doctor tested my hormone levels, and she said nothing of an increase in testosterone, only a progesterone deficiency and low blood sugar. She didn't say anything about Vitamin D, either, but I'm already going to get a supplement.

I really, really appreciate all of your help! I have upped my dosage of progesterone cream to 100 to 200 mg a day, and am probably going to increase it again just to see what happens. I feel way better than I did before I started using it, so I can't help but think that it's doing some kind of good for my hormones.

-Shelly
Jan 31, 2013
 Thanks for the Response!
by: Wray

Hi Shelly Well I'm very relieved you haven't got PCOS! And from what you say above, you can't have it. The Yaz would not have helped the skin, it was the low carb diet which did it. As you can see from the thread I gave above, carbs are lethal to the skin. High testosterone would not be a problem, because of the low carb diet. I can only imagine you're not ovulating each month, hence the low progesterone. But ovulation does take time to start up after puberty begins. So it could just be this, see our page on Menstruation. My daughter didn't begin to get regular cycles until she was about 18. Do let me know how you get on with the higher amount. Take care Wray

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