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Extreme menses

by Renee
(Maryland)

Hi Wray, I am having extreme problems and don't know where to turn. I have had extreme menses the past 2 months. So much so that March I enterd the ER with symptoms which they thought were a blockage in the heart.

Turned out it was severe anemia, not just low iron, I didn't have enough hemagloben to carry oxygen to sustain body function. I needed a blood transfusion (4 units) and still my hemagloben was just above critical low. I don't believe in just being cut up without knowing what the cause of the problem is. It seems as though most doctors think women only need estrogen. I think I may have too much or maybe l have low thyroid hormone. I have gained 15 lbs over the last 12 months and my skin has become dry in addition to almost bleeding to death.

How can one find out, are there tests? And when you find out, are there doctors who take it seriously?

Comments for Extreme menses

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Apr 15, 2010
 Extreme menses
by: Wray

Hi Renee. The first thing to do is stop the bleeding, it needs to be done fast so you don't loose more blood. This means a high amount of progesterone initially, once stopped you can reduce the amount. I have helped women with heavy bleeding, one in particular wrote asking if the 900mg/day progesterone her doctor put her on was safe. I told her it was, but the good thing was it had stopped all bleeding. I suggested she drop the amount to 600mg/day but use it hourly, this continued to prevent it. I think you should start with 600mg/day hourly until the bleeding stops, then reduce the amount very slowly. It seems you don't have a period to follow, so don't try to follow it, that bleeding has to stop soon. You should ask your doctor for 100 mg suppositories and use 6 over the course of the day, I think these are available on Medicare. But if you think you meet a brick wall getting them, try the cream. It will work as well, but is not covered by Medicare. Time is important, so while trying to get the suppositories use the cream. If you decide to and you use the Natpro you will require 18ml/day or 3.6 tsp to get 600mg/day. One tube will only last you just over 3 days at this rate. You evidently have far too much oestrogen and too little progesterone. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP?s) are enzymes that break down protein. They play a role in the breakdown of endometrial tissues at the end of the menstrual cycle. If they are over active, as would be the case with an excess of oestrogen in the body, (oestrogen stimulates it?s production), the result is a pathological reaction such as inflammation and excessive bleeding in the uterus. Progesterone suppresses both MMP's and oestrogen. It's the drop in progesterone at the end of the cycle that activates the MMP's to work. With a low progesterone level they are working all the time breaking down the lining. You might experience oestrogen dominance when first starting the progesterone, for more info please see here. There are tests you can have done, but it's best not to wait for the results, you need to do something now. The best lab is ZRT. Your weight gain sounds as if you could have insulin resistance (IR), this is caused in part by excess oestrogen and a lack of vitamin D, please have a vitamin D test done. You undoubtedly have inflammation, the vitamin D will help considerably. Please also take 2000-5000mg N-acetyl cysteine, another powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It will also help your skin, but for the dryness you need omega 3 fish oil, at least 5ml per day. It would be good if you also took flax oil, this can be drizzled over your salads and vegetables, between 15-60ml/day. For more info on IR see here.

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