Still trying to find the right amount

by Kara
(Australia)

My hormonal story is depressingly long and complicated. I've never had a normal cycle and was put on the pill at 16. I stayed on it for a few years and when I came off it, my symptoms had gotten worse (no cycle at all, acne, hirsutism, irritability). I went back on it again and off and on... with the result that my symptoms got worse every time I stopped taking it.

I was finally diagnosed with PCOS (without having any tests done, only because I had cysts on my ovaries) and I believed in this diagnosis for the past four years, till I got suspicious and did some research on my own, and had some tests done. My Progesterone was quite low and my Insulin just fine. I think I actually suffer from Post-Pill-Syndrome and thanks to Progesterone Cream, Homeopathy and Reflexology I had a few periods still no proper cycle though.

Ever since I started the cream I had some sort of bleeding every 2-3 weeks (shortest was 12 days in between). I can't really tell if its spotting or a proper period. Every time I stop using the cream the bleeding lasts for about 5 days. My other symptoms are clearly better than before using the cream, but I'm still rather spotty, hairy and unhappy. I've decided to use 200mg/day this month as opposed to about 100mg/day before. I've been gaining weight and my water retention is getting worse.

Any tips? Feel a little lost with this all and I'm VERY grateful for this website. Thank you.