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Can too much progesterone cream convert to estrogen?

by Laura
(UK)

Hi Wray, thanks so much for your fabulous site, it's really helped me through a horrendous time with my health. I have been suffering with functional hypothyroidism for the last few years which I have recently discovered was caused by estrogen dominance - caused by discontinuing birth control pills years earlier. I see a hormone doctor in London who was the first person to test my sex hormones and et voila my estrogen was 3 x the amount it should be. I for the last few months have been put on 25mg of progesterone in the follicular phase ( I am 31) and 50mg in the luteal and it has worked beautifully in reducing my estrogen symptoms and most importantly for me I am now using my thyroid hormones as the TBG has decreased.

However this month I have noticed I am getting slightly tender breasts prior to my period and I am concerned that my estrogen might be on the rise again a touch. I have read that if you take progesterone that is greater than a physiological amount the excess progesterone can convert to estrogen and so essentially you end up giving yourself estrogen dominance. I'd love to hear your view on that if possible as I'm concerned I might now be making matters worse. Many thanks, Laura

Comments for Can too much progesterone cream convert to estrogen?

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Nov 04, 2013
 Can too much progesterone cream convert to estrogen?
by: Wray

Hi Laura Thanks for the kind words. The Breast Tenderness is due to oestrogen, it can cause Breast Cysts too, although this can be due to low iodine. The amount of progesterone you’re using is to my mind too low. The initial weeks can be good, but invariably Oestrogen Dominance kicks in, which has occurred with you. The chances are your vitamin D is low, it generally is in people living in the UK, please have a test done. It’s vital for the normal functioning of all cells, a lack reduces the benefits of progesterone, and it adversely affects the thyroid, see here, here, here, here, here and here. If you’d like more advice on the vitamin D and progesterone, please contact Julienne via her website here. She lives in London. Take care Wray
Nov 06, 2013
 re:
by: Laura

Thanks Wray. Yep I supplement vitamin D, no sunlight at all here at the moment!
Could I ask how much progesterone you would recommend and your views about taking a dose in the follicular phase past 3/4 months - I'm concerned it's causing problems, for example my face has turned into an oil slick causing chin acne in particular. I have read that excess progesterone can turn to estrogen and I'm concerned that as Mother Nature didn't intend me to have progesterone for the first half of the month this may cause trouble. Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks again.
Nov 06, 2013
 re:
by: Wray

Hi Laura I'm pleased about the vitamin D supplement, I do hope it’s about 10,000iu per day. Apologies for not answering those questions for you, but I suggested you contact Jules who could fill you in and the pages I gave you have the varying amounts to use. I wish I could answer everyone fully who writes in, I used to. But I'm now finding I have to concentrate only on our customers who use Natpro, I don’t have time for everyone else now. Take care Wray

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