Post pill amenorrhea, acne, stomach problems...

by Amanda
(Canada)

I am a 20 year old female, and I had taken the pill for 3 years to control my acne. I decided to stop because it had started to become ineffective for treating my acne, and I began to experience other side effects, such as weight gain, mood swings, severe bloating/heartburn/other digestion issues, lethargy, fatigue, and many other problems.

Since stopping the pill 10 months ago, I have had no periods, constant acne all over my face (and extremely dry skin), and all the side effects listed above. My question is, will taking natural progesterone cream help my body to get regular periods again? Would it help my other symptoms as well? I have tried Vitex and several other supplements, as well as diet changes, and nothing has worked for 10 months, and I am very concerned. There are basically no doctors in my area that will consider natural hormone treatment, so any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Comments for
Post pill amenorrhea, acne, stomach problems...

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 06, 2011
 Post pill amenorrhea, acne, stomach problems...
by: Wray

Hi Amanda How I wish Contraceptives had never been invented, they cause so much grief. You might like to read Annette's comments here and here. She lives in Canada too, and is delightful, often commenting on the site. Please get in touch with her, she's had huge troubles coming off the pill too. As I can't give her email address to give you via the web, it invites scam, and she doesn't herself have a website, please contact Joy who does have a website and is in contact with Annette, see here. It sounds very complicated, but I feel you'll only benefit from speaking to her. No one need have Acne, it's caused by excess androgens, which rise if SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) drops. All the various sugars cause SHBG to drop, fructose being the worst, see here. So please avoid all sugars, and the hidden ones too, however 'good' they might be. ie avoid all grains, legumes, sweet and/or starchy veggies and fruits. Progesterone will help your ovaries recover, for more info please see our page How to use progesterone cream. But above all you need vitamin D, for both the acne and the ovaries, it's essential for ovulation. For more info see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital websites. Most people in Canada have too low a level, see here, here, here and here. Please have a test done. Take care Wray
Sep 06, 2011
 The Pill and Acne
by: Joy (South Africa)

Hi Amanda - Just want to introduce myself to you. If I can help you in anyway, please do not hesitate to get hold of me via the link that Wray gave you. You will benefit greatly by using Progesterone and Vitamin D.

I am certain that Annette will make contact with you, as Wray mentioned, she also lives in Canada. She is a delight and it will be great to speak to someone who has had a similar experience!!

Take care.
Sep 06, 2011
 Thank you!
by: Amanda

Thank you so much for your help! I had no idea that vitamin D would be such an important factor, but it completely makes sense, as I do not get much sun exposure here in Canada. I will definitely start taking it. I have already orderered a different progesterone cream, but might consider Natpro in the future. I will keep you updated on my progress with that. As for my diet, I have tried to cut out sugar and grains as best as I can, and will continue to do so.

I really appreciate your advice, and I will be sure to contact the ladies you mentioned above.

Amanda
Sep 06, 2011
 Dreadful bcp
by: Annette Canada

Hi Amanda, I feel for you because I can relate to all your symptoms. You are so young but it's a good thing you have discovered progesterone now and not at 39 like me. I was on bcp for 15 years and it wrecked m body completely. I have been on progesterone for 8 months at very high doses, any where from 800 milligrams to 1200 milligrams. I know it sounds like alot but when I started to use the progesterone I became very sick. Due to the high amounts of estrogen being stimulated. I made a decisions that no matter how sick I was, I would push through because I would rather die then to live with all those symptoms. I needed to take that much to keep my head afloat. I'm please to say things are getting much better and I'm somewhat functional. I would recommend you start at 600 milligrams a day, putting it on 100 milligrams throughout the day. If you need more, don't be scared to use more, it won't hurt you. STICK TO IT NO MATTER WHAT, it does get better. I would take 5000 iu's of vitamin d a day along with a good multi vitamin and a good probiotic. There is also something called calcium d-glucarate that helps detox the body from high amounts of estrogen. I live in Regina I don't know where you live but you can get a complex with calcium d-glucarate in it called Estrosmart by Lorna Vanderhaeghe, take 4 a day. You can get it at a health food store, you may have to phone around. If you do this now at your age you will have a very fruitful and healthy life. Hope this helps.
Sep 08, 2011
 Overwhelming support! :)
by: Anonymous

I am so unbelievably grateful for everyone's advice and support! Thank you so much Annette for all of your help. I was unsure of how much progesterone cream to use, but I am relieved to know that I can use a lot of it, and there's no dangers of overdosing.

I am from Swift Current, so we aren't far from each other! :) I have used Estrosense before, but I will keep the Estrosmart in mind. I am also going to start taking milk thistle for liver cleansing. Will that help for the excess estrogens? I forgot to mention that I started taking evening primrose and cod liver oil about a week ago, and I have already noticed quite a significant improvement in my acne. I don't know if it will help long-term, but it does make things easier in the meantime, having one less symptom to worry about. I am still waiting for the progesterone cream to arrive in the mail, but I will keep everyone updated once I start taking it.

I am also very happy that I have discovered the benefits of progesterone cream at my age. I had no idea that taking the bcp would cause so many horrible side effects, but now I am thankful for all that I have learned in this process. I have felt so alone in these past 10 months, as though I am the only one experiencing these symptoms, but it is very comforting to know that others have gone through this as well.

Thank you to Joy as well; I will contact you if I have any other questions.

Amanda
Sep 08, 2011
 Previous comment
by: Amanda

I forgot to put my name in the title above. I'm sure everyone knew it was from me, but I thought I'd clarify. :p
Sep 08, 2011
 Periods
by: Annette Canada

I forgot to mention you will get a period with progesterone and it may be heavy so don't be alarmed. I would also recommend you use Natpro Cream it has the right amount of progesterone in it, many creams don't. It just absorbs so wonderful.
Sep 09, 2011
 Dreadful bcp
by: W

Hi Amanda, Joy and Annette I love it when a plan comes together! And Amanda, I leave you in good hands, as I know you'll get nothing but excellent advice, compassion and help from Joy and Annette. But I'm always here if you need to ask me anything. Take care Wray
Sep 10, 2011
 Pill and Acne
by: Joy (South Africa)

Thank you Annette.
Take care.
Sep 14, 2011
 Thank You
by: Joy (South Africa)

Thanks Wray.
Sep 16, 2011
 Overwhelming support! :)
by: Wray

Hi Amanda I'm so pleased you've seen the replies, and that you know you are most definitely not alone. I get so much support from Joy and Annette, and I'm sure you will get more too. One thing I should mention, cod liver oil contains too much vitamin A in relation to vitamin D. Unfortunately vitamin A blocks the response of vitamin D, it's not a good thing to take, see here. Take care Wray
Sep 20, 2011
 Cod liver oil
by: Amanda

Thank you, Wray. I had no idea that cod liver oil would interact with vitamin D, so I will stop taking it.

My cream has finally arrived! I have been taking it for about 4 days now, and so far things are going well! Thanks again everyone for the support!

Talk to you all again soon.
Amanda
Sep 20, 2011
 Cod liver oil
by: Wray

Hi Amanda So pleased you're stopping the cod liver oil, and that the cream has arrived! Do please keep in touch with us all. And please don't overlook oestrogen dominance, as it can hit when least expected. Take care Wray
Sep 25, 2011
 Loving the cream!
by: Amanda

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you all know my progress with the progesterone cream. I have been using it for a little over a week, and I am loving it! I am literally happy ALL the time! No more mood swings, and my bloating is pretty much gone. :D I have also noticed a definite reduction in my acne, and best of all, I have already had some spotting! So hopefully I will get my period soon. I just can't say enough good things about this cream!

I have been only using 20 mg per day to start out, but after two weeks I may increase, depending on how things go.

I do have one question though. Should I be having my hormones tested? I would have to go to another city to do so, and I know it will be quite expensive as well. I just want to make sure that what I am doing is safe, and I also want to make sure that my estrogen isn't dominant.

Talk to you again soon,
Amanda
Oct 03, 2011
 Loving the cream!
by: Wray

Hi Amanda I think you can be assured what you are doing is safe. Have you read all of Annette's other comments? If not see here and here. In fact if you put her name into our Google search at the bottom of each page, you'll come up with many, many more. She often adds comments. I'm amazed you've responded so quickly on such a low amount, but then you are much younger than many of us! I've found the older we are and the worse the symptoms, the more progesterone is needed and it takes us far longer to come right. You will know if you get Oestrogen Dominance symptoms! But this page gives a list of some of them. And please don't forget to have that vitamin D test done, and to take it too. Take care Wray
Oct 07, 2011
 Amazing!!
by: Joy (South Africa)

Wow Amanda, I too can't get over how quickly this has all worked for you. Everyone is different I suppose, what works for one may take longer for others and as Wray mentioned, age has a lot to do with it. May you go from strength to strength.
Take care.
Nov 02, 2011
 Progesterone Update
by: Amanda

Hi everyone! I just thought I'd update you all on my progress with the progesterone cream.

I've been using it for almost two months now, and it's been pretty good, though I have had to increase my dosage to 60 mg per day (which still isn't much, but I'm doing things the slow way). My acne seems to get better, then worse, then better again, but I hope it's just gradually going to go away. I haven't had my period yet, but I get random spotting about three times per month, and each time I get very bloated and moody and my skin breaks out. Aside from that, I have no other stomach issues, which must mean that the progesterone is helping for that!

I wanted to clarify though; does estrogen cause excessively dry skin? My scalp, face, and hands, are always extremely dry, to the point of flaking and peeling at times. I realize it could be from the dry winter weather, but it seems to last all year round. I'm wondering if it is another symptom of estrogen dominance.

Anyway, I'm sure I will increase my dosage again in a few weeks, and I will keep in touch with everyone.

Talk to you again soon!

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