Menu

Heavy bleeding perimenopause

by M. C.
(Canada)

I have been struggling and truly suffering with very heavy prolonged bleeding on and off for the past 4 years. Last year, it got so bad that my ferritIn level was down to 2. My last D& C a year ago came back normal so I saw a holistic dr. to sort out my hormones. She put me on a progesterone cream which worked for a couple of months (150mg a day) but then the bleeding started back up. She then put me on 100 mg of micronized oral progesterone 100mg twice a day for 25 days of the month.
This worked fine for a few months - in fact I didn't get a period for 3 months. However, the last couple of cycles I got my period a day or two after stopping the progesterone for the 5 day break and then exactly two weeks later, I started bleeding again ( is there any significance to this time period of 2 weeks?). I am 52 and though I've asked her whether I might need a higher dose, the dr. doesn't seem too responsive. I'm desperate to know what is going on as I am worn out not only with my own issues but with the responsibility of a chronically ill husband. Any advice would be MOST sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

Comments for Heavy bleeding perimenopause

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 13, 2012
 Heavy bleeding perimenopause
by: Wray

Hi MC Peri-menopause is an extremely difficult time. And judging by your age, and symptoms, you're almost at the end of it. Bleeding can occur 3 months apart, to two weeks apart. It can be flooding to light spotting, there's no telling. Unfortunately the prolonged heavy bleeding can occur too. I've found no less than 400mg/day is needed, often more. Plus it's essential to take NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), this inhibits the MPPs which cause the lining to break down. There's more about them on our Menstruation page. You might like to read these comments here and here. Because you live in Canada, your vitamin D levels are probably low, your husband's too. Please have tests done. Most people in Canada have low levels, see here, here, here and here. It's a potent antioxidant which should help the Inflammation in your uterus. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Sep 14, 2012
 Heavy bleeding
by: MC

Thank you so much for your advice. What you do on this site is really wonderful and giving of you. I realize that my dr. likely didn't have me on enough of the cream at the start (150mg) to work but now that she has me on oral progesterone at 200 mg per day how many mgs would I have to take orally to get the equivalent of 400mg as you suggest.I do believe that I need more but she only told me to go up to 300mg oral if I felt I needed it. Thank you SO VERY MUCH!
Sep 14, 2012
 Heavy bleeding
by: Wray

Hi MC Bless you for the kind words! I forgot to tell you to empty the contents of the capsules into a small amount of skin cream, and rub that on your skin. That way you get the full benefit of the progesterone, without having to ask for more. Unfortunately oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system. And please don't forget to have that vitamin D test done! I know I sound like a stuck record when it comes to vitamin D, but I've seen and heard of big changes taking place when levels are high. A lack of it reduces the benefits of progesterone, and many women have found unresolved problems, in spite of high amounts of progesterone, do resolve when vitamin D is high. You might like to read this amusing page here Take care Wray
Sep 14, 2012
 Heavy bleeding
by: MC

Thanks :)

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Progesterone faq.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...