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Heavy menstrual bleeding

I am 36 years old with two children. I have been suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding and intermenstrual spotting for the last 4-5 years. An ultrasound scan taken last year revealed that I have several cysts in my ovaries as well as multiple intramural fibroids.

I changed my lifestyle and diet and starting taking nutritional supplements. Just as my periods starting falling into a pattern (regular but heavy bleeding), I started to spot continuously for a month before I got my period that went on for 10 days (with episodes of flooding and cramps) and ended in a D&C with endometrial biopsy. Doctors did not find anything amiss and put me on Provera. I stopped Provera after using it for one cycle, got my period and got a transvaginal scan done that shows that everything is absolutely normal. No fibroids, no PCOD. While I am happy, I know that this may not gurantee that my periods will become less heavy. My quality of life has reduced considerably. Should I start using natural progesterone on my own? I know for sure that my ob/gyn won't prescribe it for me.

Comments for Heavy menstrual bleeding

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Aug 18, 2010
 Heavy menstrual bleeding
by: Wray

Hi there Progesterone does stop heavy bleeding. Oestrogen is a mitogen, it stimulates cells to grow. Vital during puberty when it causes our breasts and hips to develop, and the fatty layer women have. Vital once a month when it stimulates an egg/eggs to grow and mature. Vital too in stimulating the endometrium each month to grow and thicken ready for a possible fertilised egg. But in excess it stimulates cells to continue growing, and grow they will with no progesterone to suppress the oestrogen. Without a check, the excitatory hormones like oestrogen would continue stimulating. 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 excess oestrogen in the body, as oestrogen stimulates their production, the result is a pathological reaction. A high level of MMP?s can lead to inflammation and excessive bleeding in the uterus. If a low level of progesterone is present, and a high level of oestrogen, the lining will continue to grow. With a high level of MMP?s the lining will also continue to break down. Progesterone suppresses both MMP?s and oestrogen. It is essential to use a high amount of progesterone, between 400-600mg/day. If the bleeding is continual, use it hourly every day. Using it hourly keeps the level high throughout the day. If there is a cycle, it?s best to ignore it and use the progesterone daily, hourly too, until the bleeding is under control. The progesterone can be used to regulate the cycle once bleeding has stopped. Please see here, here and here. For more info on how to use progesterone please see our page How to use progesterone cream. But before considering using it please see our page on Oestrogen Dominance. This can occur, particularly in women with a high level of oestrogen, and is very disconcerting if it does. Take care Wray
Sep 16, 2010
 "How to use progesterone cream
by: JH

I've read in the posting on "How to use progesterone cream" that while in peri-menopause you can use the proesterone cream everyday, because the cycle is too erratic. I want to know if I've been bleeding off and on for 5 months until I used the natural progesterone cream, How do I get my cycle started back, if I use progesterone cream everyday. I'm 42 years old.
Oct 06, 2010
 "How to use progesterone cream
by: Wray

Hi JH If you use the cream daily it will be impossible to regulate the cycle. I only recommend that if the cycle is too erratic to follow. You are only in the beginning stages of P-M, for more info on this please see Peri-menopause. So it's worth using the cream to get it regular again. To do this, when you next bleed count the first day of bleeding as day 1, start the cream on day 15 and use it for the next 14 days. The luteal phase is always 12-14 days, I prefer to follow the full 14 days, it means enough progesterone is being absorbed. It's best to start on the 28 day cycle, unless you know the normal length of yours. If so start using the cream from ovulation for the next 14 days. Once you bleed stop using the cream, starting again on day 15 or when you ovulate, whichever day your cycle dictates. It can take a few cycles to settle down. Take care Wray

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