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Progesterone Cream Convert

by Randi
(Las Vegas, NV)

I began suffering from menometrogghia at 26 after the stillbirth of our daughter (not hormone related, caused by a rare chromosome defect my husband carries). I immediately went to my perinatologist who recommended an ob/gyn to help me. That doctor was the worst I had ever seen. I had gained 25 pounds while pregnant, which put me in the low 200s.

I had always been overweight and had issues with my cycle but once I'd lost weight, those problems went away. The doctor ran every test imaginable but not on my thyroid or on my hormone levels. He even blamed all of my issues on my weight and said I was diabetic, which I was not and never have been. I was disgusted and never went back. I did, however, get pregnant again on my own and miscarried a little over a year after the loss of our daughter (again because of my husband's chromosome defect according to my peri).

So it's been almost four years since I went to that ob/gyn and about 8 months ago, I finally got a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist despite telling my general practice doctor every year since at my yearly about the issues I was having. The RE listened to me and really seemed to genuinely understand what was happening. I'd done enough research on my own to understand that I was an-ovulatory and that was what was causing my cycle issues.

He put me on provera and like a "good patient" I took it and followed his directions on when to start clomid. The problem was, the clomid didn't work and I needed the provera to start a new cycle each time. He didn't even do ultrasounds to see if I was close to ovulating, all he did was prescribe it and tell me to go on cycle day 23 for a progesterone blood test all the while not bothering to do any bloodwork of his own to see if there was anything else that could have been causing the menometrogghia.

I began researching what my options were in November last year because the RE did an about face and told me and my husband we didn't really want to have children because I wasn't willing to lose weight. I knew I was estrogen dominant and had joined a weight loss program and exercised a minimum of 5 days a week but was just not able to lose. I began taking DIM in December hoping it would reduce my estrogen levels enough to help me ovulate and start a natural cycle on my own but it didn't. Through more research I came across Dr. Lee's fertility shutdown and decided to try it.

I began the fertility shutdown in February and that cycle was very short, only lasting 18 days. I didn't know until after I had stopped the NPC when that cycle began that I should have increased the dosage instead of letting the cycle start but for the first time in 4 years I had a natural bleed that only lasted 5 days compared to 2 months from before I went to the RE. That was when I found this site. I have been applying about 160mg per day but I think it might not be enough. I have still had some breakthrough spotting for the last week and am only on CD23 but I have managed to keep it to spotting only and not a flow.

I have noticed with the NPC that I don't have sciatic and back pain like I did with the provera. I have noticed that I haven't been sleeping as well and have been experiencing heartburn and hot flashes at night. From all of the advice you've given, Dr. Wray, I've come to the conclusion that if I increase the dosage even more those issues may resolve themselves. I have also finally been able to lose close to 20 pounds too. I'm still very overweight but the NPC is making me feel better than ever and more confident that I can fix this problem myself rather than need a doctor to fix it who is more interested in hearing himself talk.

Thank you so much for putting this information out there.

Comments for Progesterone Cream Convert

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Mar 17, 2011
 Progesterone Cream Convert
by: Wray

Hi Randi What a run around you've had! Progesterone does stop heavy bleeding, but I've found the amount needs to be between 400-600mg/day. Although you are responding slightly to the 160mg you're currently using, so you might not need as much. Luckily your body doesn't seem to have been damaged by the provera, I'm so against all Contraceptives. Progestins drop progesterone levels, because they stop ovulation. I never understand why they are given in fertility issues. And Clomid?! You don't seem to have a problem falling pregnant, besides it's not worth the risk of taking, see here, here and here. The weight gain is undoubtedly due to excess oestrogen, plus you probably have a vitamin D deficiency, this also causes weight gain and anovulation. Unless these issues are resolved you will find it impossible to loose weight. No amount of good food or starvation diets will help, neither will exercise. Oestrogen is a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, including fat cells. As these are also a non-ovarian source of oestrogen, a vicious cycle starts. The cycle must be broken, progesterone certainly helps as you've found, as it suppresses excess oestrogen. But there are nutrients which help too. I believe you have Insulin Resistance, this is caused by excess oestrogen and a lack of vitamin D, please have a test done. Most of us have too low a level, and it impacts hugely on our health. For more info see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. And this excellent video here. We also have a page on Pregnancy too. Although you don't have PCOS, please read this page, as it explains why cycles can be so erratic, and why anovulation occurs. I'm running out of space, so will open a new comment below this one. Thank you so much for the kind words! Take care Wray
Mar 17, 2011
 Progesterone Cream Convert
by: Wray

Hi again Randi I always suggest using progesterone daily for 2-3 months if symptoms are severe. I find it far better to get rid of them first, the cycle will come and go as and when it likes, but it's a small price to pay. Progesterone will only stop ovulation if the amount is over 100mg/day, safer to use 200mg if it's being used as a contraceptive. Stress drops progesterone levels, so if insufficient is used the protection falls away. I'm so delighted you had a normal period, but it doesn't surprise me, progesterone does work! I suggest you use it daily for a month or two, longer if you still feel you need it. When you feel confident your symptoms have resolved, stop using it. You should bleed within a day or two. As you have no idea what your normal cycle length should be, it's easiest to take the average which is 28 days. So start using the cream again on day 15 for the next 14 days. The normal luteal phase is always 12-14 days long in all women, it always occurs 12 to 14 days before bleeding, irrespective of the cycle length. This varies between 21 to 35 days, the average being 28 days. Your own cycle should assert itself in time. Progesterone is an excellent analgesic, which is why you didn't get the sciatic pain, but the other symptoms you experienced when increasing the amount were caused by Oestrogen Dominance. This invariably occurs if oestrogen is too high, but do resolve if enough progesterone is used. You will have to play around with the amount to find the optimum. Bearing in mind stress drops progesterone levels, so more should be used to prevent symptoms returning. Progesterone should always be used as and when needed, and never in a fixed daily amount. But please have that vitamin D test done, I'm sure you're deficient. Interestingly a lack of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone. Incidentally I'm not a doctor, but like you, I decided to take matters into my own hands. One last page you might like to read is How to use progesterone cream. Take care Wray
Dec 13, 2011
 Thank You
by: Randi

I don't know why but I didn't receive a notice that you'd commented on my post. I am so grateful for all of the information you've given me. I've been using the NPC for almost a year and just recently have noticed that my symptoms are returning.

I have had a lot of stress lately and I'm going to follow your suggestions to the letter. I did have a reproductive endocrinologist tell me that I am insulin resistant, so I totally agree with your assessment.

I'm a little taken aback by the dosage you recommend, I'm afraid that if I use that much each day, I may run out of places to put it. I do typically apply the cream to one area per day then switch. Any suggestions on that?

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