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Fibroids and Natural Progesterone

by Jodi
(Perth, Australia)

Hi Wray, I contacted you previously regarding my fibroids and the trouble I have been having trying to treat myself as I wasn't able to find a GP that would treat.

My main problem is that my cycle was getting worse and worse, I was becoming an emotional basket case during my luteal phase and I spotted and had bad cramps for 7-10 days prior to a heavy period. Despite all this my saliva result showed that my estrogen & progesterone levels were well within normal ranges for a 37 year old woman.

I finally found a Doctor that is treating my symptoms rather than just my biochemical results. It has been coming up to 3 months now and this is my progress for far...

MONTH 1 - 1ml of 10% Natural Progesterone once per day. Within two days ALL symptoms disappeared, no cramping, bloating, spotting or mood swings. It gave me such a feeling of well being; I have not felt this good since I started menstruating.
MONTH 2 - 1 ml of 10% Natural Progesterone. ALL symptoms became worse than they were in the first place - I cried all day, I spotted, I have gained weight and I have a lot of fluid retention, I have gone up a cup size in my bra, I had to buy new ones. I was a wreck as so disappointed that I hadn't found the answer I had been searching for :-(
MONTH 3 - I talked to my doctor and she decided to reduce my dose to 0.5ml of 10% progesterone. My mood is back to being on an even keel (minus a few exceptions), I am clear headed and more energetic. I have had no cramping and I only spotted for 2 days prior to my period. But the weight, fluid retention are still there and I think I am going up to a D cup now as my bust is growing by the day!! I feel very bloated and uncomfortable. Hopefully things will continue improve month by month. I am determined to cure my fibroids and become healthy o i can have a baby one day!

I have also cut out all herbs I was using as some of them like chasteberry and dong quai could have had an estrogenic effect. I take "Fatigued to Fabulous" it's a super strength vitamin supplement I get from the US, it contains all vitamins, minerals and amino acids in far greater quantities than regular brands. It was recommended to me for my thyroid actually but also good for people with fibromyalgia. I am also taking an additional Vitamin D supplement (as you recommended to me). I also take DIM (Di Indolyl Methane - to reduce my estrogens). I have cut out all red meat, chicken and dairy and switched to gluten/wheat free bread & pasta. I eat salt water fish, loads of vegetables esp greens and heaps of fruit. I have one cup of coffee a day and I only have wine occasionally now. I have always exercised a lot and drink 2-3 litres of water a day.

Is there any other advice you can offer or anything that I'm not doing that I should? Thanks.


Comments for Fibroids and Natural Progesterone

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Aug 04, 2011
 Fibroids and Natural Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Jodi Yes, use more progesterone! Your doctor should not have cut the amount you were using, which was only 100mg/day. This is the least I recommend, between 100-200mg/day is my normal recommendation, often more is needed to overcome the Oestrogen Dominance, which is what you are suffering from. Particularly in month 2. The page on oestrogen dominance explains why it occurs, and the only way to overcome it is to use more, not less progesterone. The 50mg/day you are currently using will continue to stimulate oestrogen. Which means the water retention etc you still have will continue. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic, over 1200mg/day is now given via IV transfusion to brain trauma victims to prevent the oedema and inflammation that occur. I'm pleased you've cut out those herbs, as they do have an oestrogenic effect. I can't find "Fatigued to Fabulous" on the web, only "Fatigued to Fantastic", so can't comment on the ingredients. DIM is good, but doesn't reduce oestrogen levels, it changes the ratio of two metabolites. Oestrogen is broken down into 2 principle metabolites, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16-alpha hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1). 16alpha-OHE1 is regarded as a potent oestrogen, whereas 2-OHE1 is a weak oestrogen. DIM increases levels of 2-OHE1, by doing so it also increases the ratio of 2-OHE1:16alpha-OHE1. This increased ratio is associated with a lower risk for breast cancer, see here. Other studies have found a protective role too. Any natural substance which reduces the potency of oestrogen is to my mind worth taking. I'm running out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Aug 04, 2011
 Fibroids and Natural Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Jodi I feel calcium D-glucarate is possibly a better option. Oestrogen is metabolised in the liver by glucuronic acid, the process is known as glucuronidation. The process also removes other substances, including toxins, drugs, bilirubin, androgens, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. It's then excreted in the bile, but an enzyme in the intestine called beta-glucuronidase breaks the oestrogen/glucuronide bond, which allows oestrogen to be reabsorbed. Calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, see here and here Incidentally this enzyme is produced by undesirable gut bacteria, supplementing with probiotics suppresses the bacteria, and subsequently the beta-glucuronidase. I'm not sure why you've cut out the meat, organic meat is beneficial, it contains no growth hormones. Green veggies are the best, but modern fruit is just a bag of sugar water, with little nutrients left, unless organic. If you don't have blood glucose problems, then it's safe to eat. But most of us do have problems, in which case it's best to avoid it. We do have a page on Nutrition you might like to read through. All sugars are the most oxidising substances there are, no matter where they come from. Fibroids are caused by oxidative stress which leads to inflammation. So it's best to avoid all sugars until healed. I'm pleased you're taking the vitamin D, but please have a test done after 2-3 months. It's essential to get your level up if too low. Finally we do have a page on Pregnancy you might like to look through. Take care Wray
Aug 05, 2011
 Too Little Progesterone
by: Joy (South Africa)

I am truly amazed by the lack of knowledge shown by the medical field!!! If only they would take the time to do a little more research on progesterone and the benefits of it. So much unnecessary suffering would not occur!!! Jodi at least your GP suggested Progesterone which is wonderful, most don't. As Wray suggests, up your dose and things will improve.
Aug 29, 2011
 Fibroids and Natural Progesterone
by: Jodi (Australia)

Hi Wray, thanks for getting back to me.

I think I have actually adjusted to my half does now. I had a relatively 'sane' month considering my 16 year old dog passed away and Ive been very sad, but much better than previous months where i felt out of control. So I feel I can now increase my dose back to the original quantity my doctor prescribed.

I will definitely try the Calcium D Glucarate and the vitamin powder I am using is actually 'Fatigued to Fantastic of Fabulous - one of the two :-)
I am feeling pretty well in myself these days although I just went for my thyroid checkup and my TSH is 4.75, which I thought was a little high considering I want to get pregnant in the near future - i thought it had to be lower. My doctor is not concerned about it though. I thought that using Natural progestereone has a beneficial effect on thyroid function? Do you know much about that?

Thanks again for all of your help!!

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