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Confused with what to do next

by kylie
(england)

Hi,

I've been taking natpro for about 2 years, I first started taking it because my periods had stopped from the mirena coil and I was getting really bad back aches, I continued to take the cream everyday until I started to get my periods back I still suffered bad back aches and had a laparoscopy as with other symptoms thought I had endometriosis this came back clear, months later and about 3 months ago I read that you shouldn't take the cream continually as your body gets used to it so I decided to cut down gradually and have a break, the break was about two months but my body didn't like this at all my asthma flared up, my pmt was awful and I thought I was going insane mentally so I went back on the cream 1/4 teaspoon morning and night I stopped for my period but after day 7 I was moody, depressed , asthma flare up etc...so re started on day 8, So the next month I only stopped for 5 days, my mood has been ok but I keep getting lower back pain which I have worked out is ovulation. A year ago I had my hormones tested via salivia it said I was suffering from addrenal exhaustion, high testerone and high progresterone ( due to supplimenting), I've recently tried to change my eating but weight has stuck I keep suffering water retention and I don't understand why, I'm not sure what to do anymore it seems like my body doesn't like stopping and starting but I don't want to get used to it and I also use the cream as my contraception.

Comments for Confused with what to do next

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May 13, 2015
 Confused with what to do next
by: Wray

Hi Kylie It's a pity you read those other sites that tell you to take a break, and that your body will get used to the progesterone. Considering we make it daily, albeit in very low amounts during the follicular phase, I do wonder where they get this info from. We have a page on Progesterone Misconceptions you might like to read through. We also have a page on How to use Progesterone Cream. Judging by your symptoms it seems you could be in Peri-menopause, but you don't give your age so maybe you're much younger. In no way does using the progesterone daily harm you, I've done this for 18 years. Although I am in menopause now, when I first started it I wasn't and in spite of having regular periods I began using it daily. I had found stopping the progesterone caused all my symptoms to come back as you have found. You are not using much progesterone to overcome those symptoms. The break you took would have set you back to square one, so you will need to use more until you are back where you were before taking the break. 1/2tsp/day will give you only 83mg progesterone. I feel you will need at least 200mg/day to begin with, gradually reducing the amount back to the level you had been using, once you feel stable. You might like to look into trying the ketogenic diet to kick start your weight loss. These are some websites on the subject, here, here, here, here and here. There are other similar diets you could look at too, here, here, here and here. Take care Wray
May 17, 2015
 Keto warning
by: Trina

Hi Wray,

Just want to say, I'd be careful recommending a ketogenic diet especially for woman >40 with hormonal issues. I can tell you from experience it was a disaster. Sarah Ballantyne, Phd recently did a nice piece. There just isn't enough data (especially on the woman >40 demographic). I hear tons of complaints from this segment about negative outcomes on keto. Keto (especially if not done correctly can be a major stressor).

The Paleo Mom
May 18, 2015
 Keto warning
by: Wray

Hi Trina Thanks for your concern. I have had complaints too, mainly that they are not losing weight! The issue seems to be with what a person regards as a low carb diet, most of them are not eating one. The web links I give are all very comprehensive, it's up to the individual to adjust according to their own likes and dislikes. I don't recommend the 4:1 diet, this should never be attempted unless under medical supervision. I see the link you give is to a Paleo Diet site, this is a good option which I also suggest people use. Although I don't believe it has enough fat. I see the author of the article is slamming the keto diet…….." it is also a diet with inherent risk, as evidenced by the extensive list of adverse reactions reported in the scientific literature". She then lists those adverse symptoms. I find this kind of reporting damaging and erroneous. To repeat myself, "I don't recommend the 4:1 diet, this should never be attempted unless under medical supervision." But this is what she is basing her article on, not once mentioning the 1:1 diet, or even the 2:1. I don't think you could have read the ……."Five scientific papers have reported deaths as an adverse effect from long-term ketogenic diets (here’s the citations: Stewart, et al., 2001, Kang, et al., 2004, Kang, et al., 2005, Bank, et al., 2008, Suo, et al., 2013" that she lists. Each one of these is a case study of children with intractable epilepsy!! For heavens sake, do not slam a diet which has great merit on the basis of the 4:1 diet given only to people with epilepsy or cancer! Take care Wray
May 18, 2015
 Keto warning
by: Alyce

Hi Trina

Well I just want to say that the ketogenic diet RULES!!!! I know many woman >40 who have been and who are still on the ketogenic diet and it certainly has not been a disaster for them. They have all achieved great success not to mention their health has improved greatly. If people find that the keto is a major stressor, that is because they are not doing it correctly. The keto diet has helped so many people, but I guess, each to his own.
May 28, 2015
 Keto warning
by: Trina

My comment was merely a warning that not everyone fares well. I did it for over a year and ended up with severe anxiety/insomnia.

There is not enough research on it. Especially in the woman >40 demographic.

At the Ancestral Health Symposium 2014, there was a panel on Keto for Cancer. Dr Colin Champ and Dominic D'Agostino were on the panel. There was discussion about woman becoming hormonally "messed up" and hypoglycemic.

I know people who use a ketogenic diet for neurological reasons and who do so under the watchful eye of drs. It took some time to dial the diet in just right for them.

I've talked to tons of woman who found vlc led to anxiety so my comment is just a friendly warning. I'm not sure the mechanism why for some it's a godsend and others it's not. I definitely agree a lower carb approach is valid.

Of course, Ray Peat would be anti keto. Cortisol and other adrenal hormones are required to manage the glucose manufacture, utilization regulation, and electrolyte regulation that occur on a very low-carb diet/keto diet. There’s some evidence that carb restriction is enough to mimic the starvation response which downregulates thyroid function.

Wray, I think your site is great. I link it often for woman suffering through hormonal issues.
Jun 01, 2015
 Keto warning
by: Wray

Hi Trina Thanks so much for your support. I do hope you didn't think I was lashing out at you. Take care Wray

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