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How to know how to tweak the amount used

by Kathie
(USA)

Hello Wray, thank you so much for this site and for developing Natpro. I've searched the site and have not found an answer to this, so forgive me if it's here somewhere....I remember reading about several women using 20mg of progesterone vaginally and having great success. Eventually I would like to do that.

Right now I have just begun on Natpro and have been applying 200mg daily. My question is, how do you know when and how to tweak the amount you need? How do you know that your body would do just fine with less? Some of those who said they are successful with the 20mg had started out much higher; what indicators would I use to know (in a few months) that I can lower my dose?

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Aug 20, 2011
 How to know how to tweak the amount used
by: Wray

Hi Kathie Thanks so much for the kind words. There are some women who find a low amount of progesterone works, although most seem to need higher levels. I never recommend starting off on 20mg/day, as it exacerbates any Oestrogen Dominance symptoms. The vagina is an excellent area for absorption of progesterone, as there's a plentiful supply of blood vessels. I use some there every night, it is an anti-inflammatory and helps protect against Candida. But progesterone is so useful on other areas of the skin, it seems a pity to use it in only one place. Although it travels round the body, no matter where you apply it, I've found the response is quicker if applied directly to the area that needs it. It's wonderful for burns, the best thing I've found yet. Good for the face too, see here. Good for aches and pains and period cramps too. The only way to tell if you have enough is to reduce the amount you're using. If oestrogen dominance occurs, it indicates levels of oestrogen are still too high. When reducing do so by no more than 15-30mg (1/2 to 1ml), stay on this lower amount until stable, then reduce again. It's so easy to increase when needed, for instance stress drops levels sharply. I occasionally give myself a top up, usually about 2 tsp, or 330mg/day progesterone. I still get oestrogen dominance symptoms when I do. I ache all over, feel so old, and very irritable! But after two weeks of this high amount, all symptoms have gone, and I reduce back to the ±170mg/day I normally use. So the bottom line is, it doesn't matter where you apply it, or sticking to a set amount. It should be used as and when you feel like it, and the amount adjusted to how you feel. Take care Wray
Dec 31, 2011
 progesterone pellets after full hyst. when to take a break?
by: Lela

My NP put me on plant derived progesterone pellets in Sept. 2011 after my full hysterectomy last March (I am 45 and waited a few months after the hyst. to do the saliva testing hormone panel). I have been on a regimen of 2 pellets in a.m. and 2 in p.m. and was feeling so much better. My NP told me now I need to take a 5 day break from the regimen monthly and I'm on my first break and not feeling good. What is the protocol on giving the body a break from progesterone therapy?
Jan 03, 2012
 progesterone pellets after full hyst. when to take a break?
by: Wray

Hi Lela I'm pleased the progesterone helped you, although oral progesterone is not the best Delivery system. I don't agree with taking a break from progesterone after having had a hyst, or if in natural Menopause. There's no cycle to follow, so it's not essential. Symptoms can come back when stopping it due to oestrogen rising, which is exactly what you've found. Then when starting the progesterone again, Oestrogen Dominance can also occur again. I don't take a break and haven't for 15 years, unless I experiment. Please consider continuing it daily. I don't know why you had the hyst, but if for heavy bleeding, Fibroids or Cancer, please have a vitamin D test done. It's low in these disorders. For more info on levels, testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. And 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
Jan 04, 2012
 oral vs. cream
by: Lela

Hello again! My NP said there is some recent studies showing problems with the creams due to build up under the skin. She has me chewing the pellets and holding under my tongue for greatest absorbtion. I had my uterus removed in 09 due to severe, heavy bleeding and fibroids and then my ovaries removed in March 2011 due to second large endometrioma on right ovary - apprently all along I had severe ednometriosis never diagnosed. I am taking vitamin D in form of oral drops. My NP "forgot" I had had the full hyst when she told me to take a break on the progesertone!! When I went back to ask her about this she corrected herself. Now I am worried I've messed up my balance! I started to wean back onto them 2 at night and will add back in the 2 in morning as needed.
Jan 05, 2012
 oral vs. cream
by: Wray

Hi Lela I would love to see those studies on build up, as I've seen none. Only hearsay on the web. I do have a paper which showed there was no build up, see here. If you read the info on the page I gave you, you'll see that much of the progesterone in a lozenge/troche is swallowed. You certainly don't get the full benefit of the progesterone, as you would with a cream. It's wonderful for the face for instance, for burns and grazes too. Pity about the hyst, as heavy bleeding is helped by progesterone, albeit 400mg/day is needed. And Fibroids can be helped too, as can Endometriosis. I don't think you will have upset the balance too much, as you haven't had a very long break. Take care Wray

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