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Detrimental?

by Cherie
(Australia)

Hi, I am a 35 year old female who was on the pill since about the age of 18. If only I had known then what I know now! I started getting migranes, so I took myself off it about 9 months ago. Throughout the entire time I'd been on the pill I've suffered from acne, on my face, chest and back. This still haunts me. Due to the pill, I am not sure what my periods are really like! I have only had 2 since stopping the pill.

I eat a natural, organic, low grain/no diary diet, drink plenty of filtered water and exercise regularly. I guess my question is, do you think a natural progesterone cream could help? Could it possibly be detrimental to me if I use it without really knowing for sure whether low progesterone is the problem?

Thanks!

Comments for Detrimental?

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Feb 02, 2013
 Detrimental?
by: Wray

Hi Cherie I would suspect your progesterone is low, as drug based Contraceptives lower it. Often stopping it entirely if they stop ovulation. The Migraines don't surprise me, as progesterone is an anti-inflammatory. We do have a page on Acne you could look through. High testosterone initiates acne, see here. If bound to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) testosterone becomes inactive, progesterone raises levels of SHBG, see here, so preventing the rise of free testosterone and severe PMS. SHBG drops if sugars are eaten, even those found in all grains, legumes, processed milk and sweet starchy fruits and vegetables. Fructose, sucrose and glucose, reduce SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. Thereby allowing testosterone to rise. It's best to avoid all the foods and sugars mentioned. Wine and beers contain carbs, so it's best to avoid those too. Plus alcohol affects hormone levels in women, see here and here. It decreases progesterone levels and increases androgen levels, both the total testosterone and free testosterone become higher. Testosterone is notorious at increasing visceral fat, which causes abdominal fat gain, see here and here. The lowered progesterone, higher testosterone probably accounts for the increased risk in breast cancer risk among women, see here and here. Higher testosterone is also associated with an increased risk for Insulin Resistance and heart disease, see here. Continued below
Feb 02, 2013
 Detrimental? Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Cherie Sugars and large meals also drop progesterone levels, see here. Plus insulin drops levels too, see here. This means SHBG also drops, testosterone rises, another vicious cycle. Progesterone is never detrimental, whether it's needed or not. Unfortunately it's rarely thought about, as it's generally assumed it's a female sex hormone, only involved in Menstruation and Pregnancy. Nothing could be further from the truth. For instance it's never given for cancer, although studies have found it beneficial, and yet it reverses tumours, see here. The food you eat is good, I suspect your testosterone it still too high. Please read through the pages and papers I've given you, and decide whether you think you should try it. We do have a page on How to use progesterone cream. Take care Wray
Feb 03, 2013
 Appreciative
by: Cherie

Hi Wray,
Thank you so much for your quick and informative reply. It has been very helpful! I will start using some natural progesterone cream and see how things go. I am quietly confident things will improve though.
I recently went to my GP who told me that besides taking either the pill or Metformin, there was nothing that would help. It certainly pays to do your own research!
Thank you once again!
Cherie
Feb 06, 2013
 Appreciative
by: Wray

Hi Cherie Pleased it was of help. Please make sure when you do use progesterone, that you use sufficient. It's so critical this, too low a level usually results in Oestrogen Dominance, which puts people off continuing with it. It's so unfortunate that most doctors are only interested in prescribing drugs, I suppose it's something they understand. Research lead me to progesterone too, it does pay! Take care Wray

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