Progesterone and Burning Tongue Syndrome

by Dianne
(Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada)

I am 57 and used a low dose HRT patch for 5 years and then decided to stop gradually over 6 months. Holy Hotflashes! After waiting more than a year for them to stop I decided to try a natural progesterone cream (Progesta Care by Life-flo recommended in Dr.Lee's book).

After 4 months on the cream I feel MUCH better - sleep better, no anxiety, still a few milder hot flashes. I start on the first day of the month for 25 days then go off until the 1st of the next month. However I have started to notice that I am getting a weird symptom which felt that my tongue was burnt - for no reason. After doing some research I found this was called Burning Tongue Syndrome. Apparently no cause, no cure, no answers. However it appears to instantly go away during my week off Progesterone. Does this mean I should stop entirely, use less, use more or just ignore the burnt tongue feeling?

I think I would rather have a burnt tongue than horrible hot flashes and nights with no sleep. Any advice or has anyone else had this or is it just a coincidence and not related to the progesterone cream at all?

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Progesterone and Burning Tongue Syndrome

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Jan 31, 2010

Progesterone and Burning Tongue Syndrome
by: Wray

Hi Dianne Burning Tongue Syndrome is more common in women, and more common after menopause, which makes one suspect hormones, in particular oestrogen. We continue making this in our fat cells, but as we no longer ovulate, our progesterone drops very low. Very small amounts are still made by the brain, adrenals and glial cells. When first starting progesterone ironically oestrogen becomes the dominant hormone, please see this web page.

I do agree about the hot flushes! But I feel there's no need to suffer the burning tongue either, if my suspicions are correct. I don't believe you are using enough progesterone, please try to increase your dose to between 100-200mg/day. Severe symptoms need high doses. I would suggest taking some vitamin B2 each day, about 150mg, this is often low in mouth problems. I would also suggest you use the cream every day too, as it will take a long time for the burning to go if you keep stopping the progesterone. Take care, Wray.

Feb 15, 2010

burning tongue - me too!
by: julie

Hi, same thing here, I'm 35, so not menopausal, but noticed my tongue felt numb and I've lost my sense of taste, my tongue has a metalic taste to it. Googled this morning and the symptoms are those of burning tongue syndrome. I've only used the cream for a month, 14 days on, 14 days off. I'll up the dosage, but should I take every day and not stop during my period?

Jun 11, 2010

Burned Tongue Syndrome
by: Anonymous

At the age of 47, I had the same symptoms, metallic and almost salty taste in my mouth constantly. Food tasted horrible, couldn't distinguish between salty or sweet. I was going thru menapause and lost 65 pounds. When I went to my doctor, he prescribed Premarin and within a month, all my taste buds were back to normal. I can't say for sure that was the cure, but it seemed to be.

Jun 12, 2010

Burning tongue
by: Maxine Boshea

I have been using progesterone 50mg at night in pill form. I am 70 years old. Have burning tongue of and on. Is the progesterone cream better than the pill form? I have changed Drs so hope he can help me.

Jun 14, 2010

burning tongue - me too!
by: Wray

Hi Julie I've only just seen your comment. I would suggest sticking to your cycle, pity to disrupt it if you have a regular one. Better to use more progesterone and see if that helps. It could also be you need some zinc, as a lack of this results in loss of taste. I would suggest taking about 45mg/day to begin with, if this doesn't help, increase it. It's safe to go up to 100mg/day for 3 months. Take care Wray

Jun 14, 2010

Burned Tongue Syndrome
by: Wray

Hi there Interestingly enough, initially oestrogen activates the progesterone receptor sites, so this could be the explanation it helped you. For more info on Premarin please see here, and here. Take care Wray

Jun 14, 2010

Burning tongue
by: Wray

Hi Maxine Yes the cream is far better than the pill, which is the least affective delivery system, please see here, and here. Take care Wray