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Insomnia from Progesterone?

by Marie
(Michigan)

I'm 39 and blood tests on 2 occasions showed lack of ovulation, though my cycles do arrive every month. Around September I suddenly started having severe insomnia, on top of other menopausal type symptoms like dryness, lack of libido, and hair thinning. Nothing I took seemed to help me sleep.

My doctors all attributed it to anxiety, which I've struggled with my whole life. However, there was no particular event that would have triggered the sleep problems and I had actually been sleeping better than I had in 2 years when this started. Recently I started using a bit of progesterone cream hoping to sort out the imbalance, along with other methods (meditation, etc.) to help me sleep (I was going along with the doctors who told me it was anxiety). After a few days of using less than 1/8 tsp of the cream in the mornings, I started sleeping better, and actually lowered my sleeping medication. But the following month the cream was causing the insomnia to become worse almost immediately (I was using less than 10 mg a day).

I'm scared to continue the cream, not knowing if this is something that will pass. The insomnia is horrible, and severely impacts my life.

I'm grateful for any advice.

Thank you!

Comments for Insomnia from Progesterone?

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Feb 05, 2010
 Low Estrogen
by: suzy-q

Sounds like you could have low estrogen. Low levels can cause anxiety and sleep problems. Progesterone while helpful to some can cause anxiety in others by raising cortisol levels (the stress hormone). I had to find this out the hard way, as I have encountered the same issues you have had. Hope this helps.
Feb 23, 2010
 Insomnia from Progesterone?
by: Wray

Hi Marie. Anovulatory cycles do start at about age 35, so this is not unusual. But it does mean your progesterone levels are dropping, as it's only when we ovulate that we make progesterone. So the symptoms are not unusual either. Anxiety is caused by a lack of GABA, it's one of our most calming neurotransmitters. GABA itself is difficult to use, but as progesterone activates the GABA receptor sites, it's normally enough to stop the anxiety.
You might like to see this web page.

It would seem your progesterone has been too low all your life, and the 1/8th tsp is not enough. All the successful studies used between 100-200mg/day, some more for the severe cases. Stress does drop progesterone levels sharply, which increases adverse symptoms. If you're not ovulating regularly it would mean you have excess oestrogen, this also suppresses progesterone. Cortisol, our stress hormone, is made in the adrenals from progesterone, so any added stress would drop the level. The reason the insomnia worsened was excess oestrogen, please see this web page for more info. Take care, Wray
Jul 05, 2010
 Insomnia from Progesterone
by: Marie

HI Wray.

Thanks for responding! To update on my experience, I had gone to see a Dr. who specializes in bioidentical hormones, and he put me on 100 mg progesterone capsules to take coninuously for at least 2 months. I didn't really feel anything, including any improvement in sleep (I actually had to up my sleeping pill dose just a bit). After a month, I switched over to a topical product again knowing that I really wasn't getting enough progesterone with the capsule. I did that for 3 days only, then stopped because I thought I was having side effects with my eyes. Turned out I'm just getting old :) Anyway, about 2 weeks after I stopped the cream, my sleeping actually got MUCH better. I was ALMOST to the point where I could come off my sleep medication altogether (on 25 mg vs. 150 mg when the insomnia began).

Then the next cycle rolled around around and I went full force into the progesterone (50 mg a day per Dr. recommendation). As soon as I started I had to increase my sleeping pill dose again. It never got any better over the 2 weeks on the progesterone, and it hasn't gotten any better in the almost 2 weeks I've been OFF the progesterone.

It's strange to me that the insomnia I've had since August of 2009 gets better after adding then stopping the progesterone (though it hasn't gotten better since stopping after this last cycle . . .yet), but gets worse when I start the cream again. Do you have any isight into this cycle of sleep improvement and regression??? I'm scared of permanently getting stuck in insomnia hell if I keep going with the cream. But I also need it to clear up cervical dysplasia I'm confident is related to too much estrogen. Will the insomnia eventually go away if I continue with the cream, and how long should it take???

Thanks!
Jul 08, 2010
 Insomnia from Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Marie Firstly oral progesterone is a waste of time, most of it being destroyed by the gut, the liver metabolising the remainder. Unless 300-600mg/day is taken, but that really strains the liver unnecessarily. Please see here and here. Injections, suppositories or creams are far better systems, the cream being more versatile. As I said previously, the amount should be no less than 100mg/day, so you are not going full force into progesterone with only 50mg/day. This will merely keep you in a state of oestrogen dominance as you've discovered. To overcome this quickly I would actually suggest you use 200mg/day, then once symptoms have resolved reduce it slowly till you find the optimum level. I still use about 170mg/day and that's after 14 years of using it. The insomnia is only caused by excess oestrogen, so each time you start the progesterone it will occur again and again, as each time the low dose of progesterone is merely stimulating the oestrogen receptor sites. You are right about the cervical dysplasia, oestrogen and only oestrogen can cause cells to divide and multiply, it's a mitogen, progesterone is not. In fact it reverses this affect, so I would suggest you use some of the cream in your vagina too. Please read our web page on Oestrogen Dominance again, it explains in greater detail what's happening. Please also look at our page on Anxiety again. There is a list of nutrients which help with insomnia. Progesterone does help but if it's severe you will need help from these too, rather than taking a sleeping pill. Take care Wray
Sep 16, 2010
 Question for Marie or others with insomnia problem
by: Yaleigh

Hi Marie. Just wondering if you indeed increaded the dosage as was suggested and if you did, did it help with the insomnia? I'm having the exact same issues and very reluctant to continue using much less at an increased dose. Thanks!
Sep 11, 2012
 possibly low thyroid
by: Anonymous

Has a dr ever checked your thyroid? In my late 30s i started to experience waking up after only 5-6 sleep not being able to go back to sleep. Turns out i had a low normal thyroid. Bioidentical thyroid meds did the trick after about a month. Your bioidentical dr will know specifically what to check.
Oct 08, 2012
 IVF using donor eggs and insomnia
by: proctor

Hi I started taking oestrogen as part of the donor eggs program last thursday and since then i havent been able to sleep. i previously had chronic insomnia but had it under control using melatonin, magnesium and castor oil. However since they put me on oestrogen i havent slept. I had used progesterone cream in the past and that helped me sleep initially but then ended up having the opposite affect. Can you tell me if i should go back to the cream to off-set the additional oestrogen i have been put on. Many thanks.
Oct 08, 2012
 IVF using donor eggs and insomnia
by: Wray

Hi Proctor Oestrogen is a problem. You use the word 'taking' so I'm assuming you were given oral oestrogen. This is not the best method of delivery, they've found topical oestrogen more effective, less dangerous and with less adverse side effects. Is there any way you could get them to change your script? Progesterone will help with insomnia, see here, here and here. But you would need more than most due to the added oestrogen. The reason it helped in the past, and then didn't, was probably because you were told to use 20mg/day, maybe 40mg/day. I've found generally the amount needs to be 100-200mg/day or more, dependant on symptoms. I feel you would need 200mg/day if not more. We do have a page on Pregnancy you could look through, and another here. Take care Wray
Oct 30, 2012
 Insomnia
by: Rebecca

I've been taking 200 mg of progesterone just starting after ovulation. I normally get chronic migraines and didn't even have one during the 14 days I was taking it (amazing for me). I however did experience insomnia. I know some usually recommend a higher dose for insomnia but I'm already taking a lot. Do you think it's too much or will it even out over the next months? I stopped the progesterone in order to menstruate and again I have migraines and pretty bad cramps as usual but I am sleeping. I'd appreciate any insight.
Oct 30, 2012
 help with migraines and insomnia too
by: Rebecca

For Wray- I am hoping you can provide some insight for me. I'm 36 years old and ever since the birth of my son almost 2 years ago I've had chronic migraines. They are more frequent with menstration but I get them pretty much all month off and on. I tend to always have some sort of headache of not a
Migraine. If its really bad I take imitrex and it does help. I rely on Advil most days otherwise. I started using progesterone cream this past cycle (tracked my ovulation and started it after that). I used 200 mg breaking it up 4 times a day. For the first time in years I had no migraine for 2 straight weeks and had a lot more energy. However I started having another side effect- insomnia. I'd either wake and not be able to go back to sleep, or not fall asleep until very late. I was getting between 4-6 hours of sleep a night and was not able to nap at all. But still I felt better than usual and was pleased. Now, I went off of the cream for menstruation and I am sleeping great, but the migraines are back and I have very bad cramps (they feel like early labor). Should I have used the cream continuously instead and can I still do so even though I've been off it a few days? Also any help on dosage for the insomnia? Am I still not taking enough for my particular issues or am I taking it at the wrong times? Thank you so much!
Oct 31, 2012
 insomnia and taking 100 mg. progesterone
by: tina

Hey Ladies,
I have been experiencing the same problem with the progesterone. I am 55 years old and currently have vaginal atrophy so I need to be taking estriol which I insert vaginally (2.25 mg.)....which is a low dose. I have suffered with insomnia for quite a long time and it seems that while I am on the progesterone I have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep and waking up early. It seems like I only get about 4-6 hours a night. I did go off the P for almost two months (August and September) and my sleep improved, BUT the vaginal atrophy came back with a vengence. I am very thin so maybe I don't store estrogen. I had a blood spot and saliva test done back in July while I was on the 2.25 mg. estriol and 100 mg. progesterone and my Progesterone saliva and blood spot levels were high as well as the estradiol to P ratios. Couldn't understand that because I am on estriol. Anyhow, the sleep issue is killing me and I don't know if I should up my Progest dosage to 200 mg. a nigh and see if that helps. Does anyone have any advice. Also.........the 2.25 mg. of estriol is not helping with the vaginal atrophy but maybe I need more time on it. Any help would be appreciated.
Nov 01, 2012
 help with migraines and insomnia too
by: Wray

Hi Rebecca I wish progesterone therapy was simple! But I am happy the Migraines were helped. Progesterone is a potent anti-inflammatory. It's also good for sleep as it enhances GABA, see here, here and here. But it does seem it's stimulating oestrogen in this respect. Oestrogen is an excitatory hormone, it enhances the glutamate response. Glutamate is our most excitatory neurotransmitter, see here, here, here and here. This last paper suggests GABA is low in insomnia, I can only assume the progesterone, by stimulating oestrogen, is then increasing glutamate. It should pass, but you could try taking GABA for a bit, and see if that helps. We have more info about GABA on our page Natural Antidepressants. If you do try it, please let me know if it helps, so others can read it, or I can pass it on. Continued below
Nov 01, 2012
 help with migraines and insomnia too Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Rebecca You mention your cramps are like early labour. All uterine cramps are caused by the same inflammatory cytokines that are produced in labour. There are quite a few too! This is rather a mouthful, but these are some of them here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here here, here and here. One of the roles of progesterone is to quieten the uterus, in other words it opposes these cytokines. I always suggest rubbing the cream all over the tummy, or where ever there is pain. Even during bleeding, it won't upset the cycle. I also suggest using progesterone daily, during bleeding too, for about 2-3 months if symptoms are bad. It's a toss up between insomnia or migraines and cramps! But if you try the GABA, maybe you could stick to your cycle and see how you get on. Please let me know what you decide. Take care Wray
Nov 01, 2012
 insomnia and taking 100 mg. progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Tina Insomnia is a problem for so many. Maybe you could try taking the GABA as I suggested to Rebecca, and see if that helps you. Although progesterone activates the GABA receptors, without sufficient GABA it's not going to have much effect. I'm interested you say you're using the estriol for vaginal atrophy, but it's not working. And yet you say when you stopped the progesterone it "came back with a vengeance". I use progesterone in my vagina every night to prevent both dryness and atrophy occurring. Progesterone is a potent anti-inflammatory. Why don't you try applying it instead of the estriol and see if it helps you too. Progesterone is also effective against Candida, whereas oestrogen encourages it. Another nutrient you could try is tyrosine, there's more info on our page about Natural Antidepressants. I'm not sure if your thoughts are buzzing while trying to fall asleep, if so the tyrosine might help. Vitamin D is another nutrient you could try, it's low in insomnia, see here and here. I also suggest increasing the amount of progesterone you're using, I don't believe it's enough. Take care Wray
Mar 08, 2013
 DOES PROGESTERONE CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEM?
by: Anonymous

I am 42 year old, i just had my blood test done this year. Everything came out good, except progesterone was low. It was <0.5. I had sleep problem for many years. Do you think low progesterone can cause my sleep? I need help, please give any suggestions.
thanks
Mar 11, 2013
 DOES PROGESTERONE CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEM?
by: Wray

Hi there Both low Progesterone and Vitamin D can cause sleep problems. Please consider using about 200mg/day progesterone and have a vitamin D test done. Once you know your level you'll know how much to take, no less than 5000iu per day. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the 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 recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. There's more info on our page How to use progesterone cream, Take care Wray
Jun 04, 2013
 Bio identical progesterone
by: Sleep deprived

Hi, at the age of 51 I have always had fairly consistent sleep - around 8 hours.

A few months ago I took the pill (briefly) which led to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. In desperation I started taking bio identical hormones which initially (for a few days) led to some improvement. That was shortlived and for the last few months I have difficulty getting to sleep and staying a sleep.

In desperation I turned to Stillnox as prescribed by my doctor.

My dosage of bio identical progesterone was 150mg - it has just been increased to 300mg.

I took this dose last night for the first time and had NO SLEEP AT ALL. To make matters worse I was up and down all night long with the need to empty my bladder. I should add that I also stopped taking the Stillnox last night as I am fearful of side effects

To cut a long story short - I work full time and need to sleep in order to function. Now I don't know whether to cease the progesterone also - maybe that is contributing to my insomnia.

After three months averaging around 5 hours per night of often broken sleep (if I am lucky) and now after a night of no sleep at all my brain is so fuddled I don't know what to do.

Should I just go cold turkey and clear my body of the toxins that are leading to the insomnia? Isn't progesterone supposed to help me to sleep?

My most alert time is when I go to bed at night. maybe I just have to get used to no sleep?
Jun 05, 2013
 Bio identical progesterone
by: Wray

Hi there All drug based Contraceptives have the potential to cause harm. It appears you're using oral progesterone, as you talk about taking it. Funnily enough oral progesterone is meant to help sleep, but in your case evidently not. But yes you are right progesterone does help sleep, see here, here and here. So too does vitamin D, see here and here. Please have a test done, it could be your level is too low. If you are taking oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system, "The liver and gut region removed a mean of 96 per cent of the progesterone entering these tissues", see here. I suggest you empty the contents of the capsules and add it to a small amount of skin cream. Then apply that to your skin, you will get the full benefit of the progesterone, see here. I'm not sure if you are in Peri-menopause or Menopause, but these two pages give more info on how to use progesterone. Take care Wray
Aug 04, 2013
 so tired
by: Sleep deprived

Hi Wray, I was taking the progesterone by troche - dissolved under the tongue. I did stop taking it after writing my first post. I went into a period of virtually NIL sleep and extreme anxiety after this. I didn't read your response until today. I even had to take a week off work - I was teary and very anxious.

I am getting a little more sleep now with the help of naturopathic medicine - but have not been able to recover my "usual" sleep. Often waking after 4 hours and sleeping very little or lightly after that time. I have just started taking progesterone oil - few drops on my tongue. Do you think that will work? I am too scared to go back to the bio-identical hormones as it so drastically affected my sleep and my breasts were so large and sore I was in a lot of discomfort. I almost feel like my sleep "clock" is so out of sync it doesn't know when to go to sleep .... can you suggest anything to help? I have been taking a naturopathic tonic; maca root, magnesium and adenosine (all natural medicines). I would just love to be able to get back to a deep sleep after waking as I used to be able to ....
Aug 04, 2013
 so tired
by: Wray

Hi there Some progesterone gets absorbed by the lining of the mouth, but much is also swallowed. So you won't be getting much via a troche. I don't understand when you say you're scared about going back to bio-identical hormones, you are on one now via the drops! The amount in the drops is so small you still won't be getting enough. I've just re-read your first query, and the last line stood out..."My most alert time is when I go to bed at night". It seems you could have adrenal stress. Please consider taking 1/2tsp salt in some warm water before you go to bed. The adrenals need sodium to function correctly, it could be you don't have enough. Salt also helps sleep if the adrenals are stressed. This is an excellent article about it here. Take care Wray
Sep 13, 2013
 @Fertilitynewyork
by: Sandy Potter

Glad to know Marie, that now you are better than before after using that cream. But My suggestion for you is its a delicate problem and cant be ignored. so you must refer a well experienced doctor for everything. And you should more conscious because it may affect your ferility. And if it will happen then you surely go to the Fertility Treatment Center. Take the best care of yourself.Be healthy, God bless.
Oct 11, 2014
 HYPOTHYROID, MENOPAUSE, ADRENALS, HAIRLOSS AND PROGESTERONE CREAM
by: Annie

Hi Wray - I am 52 y.o. and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 37 and have been taking Thyroxine (T4) medication since then. I have always battled with tiredness and overcame this with high protein diets. As a sugar addict, sticking to protein has been a battle over the years. I have also battled with bouts of insomnia. My scalp has been itchy off and on since 2000. In 2005 I started losing a small amount of hair at my temples but found that using Nioxine helped at controlling the hairloss. In 2011 I noticed my hairline all around my head was receding slightly and overall slight thinning. I was losing a small ball of hair in the shower and on my brush daily which was alarming for me because I have always had very thick curly hair. I saw a dermatologist who told me that I had telogen effluvium. My thyroid testing during this period was TSH - 0.1 / T4 - 12. Last year I had an ovarian polyp removed along with scraping of the uterine wall (Aug 2013) followed by an endoscopy and then had my gallbladder removed (Sept 2013). In December 2013, I noticed aggressive hair shedding on a daily basis and more slight receding around the hairline especially in the forehead and temples. In January 2014 my TSH was 7 and T4 was 15. I was tired, grumpy, sleeping 12 hours and my hairloss was progressing. My general physician and several specialists believed it was my thyroid causing the hairloss. Another general physician believed the hairloss and receding hairline was hormonal. Since January 2014 to September 2014 my TSH has not come down – remaining between 5 and 7 – even though I had upped my Thyroxine from 125 to 150. In March 2013 my estrogen level was 1350. In March 2014 my estrogen level was 60. Since May 2014 the fine hair on my temples had thinned considerably and my hairline had receded by ½ an inch especially at the top of my forehead. In late July 2014, I was disturbed and physically sickened by the fact that every morning for about 3 consistent weeks I was witnessing my front hairline receding at a fast rate. It was out of control and I did not know how to stop it. After the 3 weeks it stopped receding. In August 2014 I had more female surgery for uterine scraping. Apparently my uterus has thickened with fibroids. I also have ovarian cysts which have not been removed. I was in panic stages at this point. On 24th September 2014 I saw a holistic medical doctor who put me on to a natural bio-progesterone cream and a natural T3 pill. Her advice regarding my thyroid medication – 100mcg of Thyroxine (T4) and 30mcg/per pill (1 pill in morning and 1 pill in afternoon) of Tiodothyronine (T3). She told me to take 100mg per day of the progesterone cream which I took after seeing her on that day. I did not take the T3 med until the next day. On the very next morning after using the progesterone cream for the very first time I was shocked to see more recession in my front hairline. And boy did my scalp, face and ears itch!! I took 100mg of progesterone for another day and noticed more recession the following morning, once again. I notified my holistic doctor about the fast hairline recession and she told me to take 50mg of the progesterone cream which I did. The following morning I saw more hairline disaster!! Virtually I lost ½ an inch hairline at my temples and forehead in a period of about 4 days! After much research I actually upped the progesterone cream to 400mg per day to ward of the estrogen dominance and to stop Testosterone DHT. This seemed to stop the recession. When I notified my holistic doctor I was on 400mg of progesterone cream she told me to STOP! “Way too much” she said. So I went off the cream for a few days (total 3 days off the cream). Reading for hours on the benefits of progesterone cream I have once again started on 400mg of progesterone cream today and my scalp has started itching badly again along with my face too. Since taking my first dose of progesterone cream and T3 I have had bad insomnia and I feel my adrenals are suffering!! I feel quite WIRED!!! My adrenals have suffered for a number of years actually! Since taking the cream on all the different dosages I have been getting night (and day) sweats!! My temples are now almost bald. I have lost almost 4 pounds since taking the T3 and the cream. Now on juicing and gluten free diet.
Please note other symptoms:
Foggy brain and memory fade
Lack of salt
Leaky gut
Spinal stenosis in my neck (C4) since 1998
Swelling of legs since 1998
Weight fluctuation
Continued hairloss and recession!!
Weight fluctuation for over 30 years
Heart murmur and mitral valve prolapse – skipped heart beats commencing about 4 years ago

Your prompt response would be so much appreciated as I am DESPERATE for answers and help. Can’t afford to lose more hair either.
Dec 31, 2014
 Insomnia from progesterone
by: Jasmine

Hi everyone
I have been using progesteron cream for about 4 months. At the end of the fourth month I started to expirence insomnia I have never had a problem whit my sleep before does anybody know why this happens to me? Is it because I have excess progesterone or maybe I do need estrogen? I have been to the doctor and got my hormones tested and they were all normal nothing too low or high of hormones. Do you know how I can get my sleep back? and this is my first month whit stopping the cream. Maybe my body needs to adjust itself or something. I hope you guys have some advice for me:) sorry for the long post.
Aug 01, 2015
 progesterone
by: Anonymous

Progesterone makes you sleep and does not cause insomnia. If you have insomnia look elsewhere for the cause...
Sep 24, 2015
 Insomnia after using the cream
by: Kristi

I used progesterone cream twice and it has resulted in extreme anxiety and insomnia. From what i am hearing, progesterone cream can actually increase levels of estrogen in the body which can lead to these issues. I am afraid to take larger doses of the cream as it feels like a big risk. I am single and work full time to support myself. Additionally, i used to take Klonopin and had a horrible withdrawal reaction which persisted for two years. I am nervous to take large doses of progesterone as it is known to interact with these receptors (GABA) and can cause its own withdrawal reaction. Looking for alternative ways to overcome estrogen dominance.
Oct 20, 2015
 SEVERE INSOMNIA!!
by: Michelle

Hi there,

I am desperate over here! I've used progesterone cream on and off over the years, because I know I have too much estrogen and too little progesterone. The problem is that I have a SUPER sensitive system - I usually have to take kids' medicine and/or not take any at all, because I'm just so sensitive and react so severely. I can't drink any type of caffeine, because it affects me so greatly. Anyway, each time I have used progesterone cream, it has made me feel so jittery, and it creates such horrific insomnia in me. Right now I'm on my 3rd day of using ProgesterAll, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I've been using 1/4 t. per day, and I'm beyond exhausted, weepy, jittery, AWFUL sleep {if any}, feeling super lethargic and depressed, etc. I am at such a loss of what to do. I obviously need the progesterone, but taking it causes such severe issues, too. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Blessings.
Jul 12, 2016
 adverse effect from progesterone
by: Caroline

I too tried the bio-dentical progesterone because I was going through menopause and was bleeding for 10 weeks. My blood work showed my progesterone in normal range, but my estrogen was very high, so the Dr. thought progesterone was the cure for this. The first week I took bio-dentical progesterone, I noticed I wasn't sleeping too great and the bleeding was still happening. Originally prior to going to the Dr.when I was bleeding sometimes it was heavy and sometimes it was light but it went on for the 10 weeks so this why I wanted to get help. The second week of the progesterone I started bleeding huge clots. I went back to the Dr. who said my system was clearing out and gave me some other medication to stop the bleeding as it was so heavy. I never took the prescription because the next day the bleeding stopped and now a year later hasn't come back. The Dr. said it was due to the progesterone clearing out my system. I was just happy to stop the bleeding. However this was short lived because as I continued to take the progesterone, I had the worst insomnia that I have ever experienced in my life. I totally understand when others on this post talk about when mentioning feeling wide awake at night and jittery. This was me too. I went through 3 nights with no more than 1 hour of disrupted sleep. I tried taking over the counter sleeping pills, but they didn't even work. So I went to the library and took a whole bunch of books out and read every night. I would sometimes sleep about 4 hours just out of sheer exhaustion. I kept up with the progesterone for another 6 months with most nights sleeping no more than 5 hours of interrupted sleep. I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroid disease, but for some reason my thyroid levels are very good. I do eat well and exercise and my weight is fine. After 6 months of being on the progesterone, trying different doses and never a good night sleep, I weaned myself off of it. I now feel much more like myself and have not experienced that prolonged wide awake, anxious filled insomnia that I did while on the progesterone. Also the progesterone gave me much more hot flashes. I can't really explain what it is, but I think for some women, progesterone is simply not the answer for them. There is something in it that causes a bad reaction. Years ago, when I tried taking the pill, I only lasted 2 weeks, because the same thing happened to me. I started having insomnia and feeling anxious and not like myself. I think everyone is different and if the progesterone is causing such bad insomnia something is not agreeing with your system. I was actually glad I went through the previous experience with the pill, years ago, because otherwise I think what I went through with the progesterone would have really scared me to death. Perhaps it would be beneficial if health practitioners pay attention to the fact that there is this real strong adverse affect for some women taking the progesterone. It could really have ruined my life, had I not been able to look at this experience objectively and understand the source of it. Since being off the progesterone, my hot flashes have also diminished to be much more manageable. If anyone has an explanation as to why the progesterone does this to some women, it would be really helpful. I don't think that increasing doses is really the answer either.
Sep 04, 2016
 Insterrupted sleep
by: Anonymous

I am getting wonderful results since starting natural progesterone two weeks ago. I use 3ml twice a day. The only problem is I only sleep About 2 /3 hours at a time at night(so more than six hours altogether but very interrupted
Sep 21, 2016
 Insomnia for me too!
by: Sherry

I'm 56 and have tried estrogen pills, then patches, and then estrogen and progesterone pills, and then added testosterone pills. I also tried pellets. I was weepy, bitchy, couldn't sleep, anxiety, no sex drive, hot flashes, night sweats, depression...life was turned up side down and these meds either didn't help or made things worse. And now I'm on estrogen and progesterone compounded for me, creams. I've been on the compounded creams for about 3 years now, and at first I didn't sleep and then I began to sleep 5-6 hrs a night. And then I stopped sleeping again for the last few months, I'm at 2-3 hrs a night. Sometimes I can't tell if I've got too much estrogen or progesterone, and what's causing the insomnia. So last night I took the progesterone only, and did NOT sleep. I'm so exhausted today. I agree with others, that sometimes that which is supposed to make us calm and help us sleep, has the opposite effect on some of us. And if we have other things going on we're not privy too within our bodies, this will also cause conflict or problems. So I'm going to stop using the progesterone and see if I sleep better. If I do, then I'm off progesterone! I NEED SLEEP!

BUT to be fair, I have to say in July I also started on Sotolol and Eliquis because I have afib, and they installed a defibrillator in my chest. And these meds may also have the side effect of insomnia, but I was having this lack of sleep problem before these new meds, and it's worse since the new meds.
Dec 30, 2016
 Insomnia for me too!
by: Michelle

Hi,
I am experiencing the worst insomnia ever. I'm shaky, my heart is pounding, no appetite and I've had to be driven to work twice this week as I cant function. I've had several nights in the past 2 wks. where I got absolutely NO sleep and the most I've gotten was 5 hrs. when taking double my usual amount of melatonin/L-theanine.

I'm 56 yrs. old and have been struggling with extremely low levels of estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone along with cortisol issues due to much stress which in turn is causing fatigue issues, foggy brain, dizziness. I've been seeing a Naturopath Dr. for over a yr. to try and balance my hormones with supplements but that did not work as my hormone levels actually gotten worse. I started to see a new Naturopath Dr. last month in the same practice who prescribed natural bioidentical estrogen, progesterone & testosterone and bioidentical adrenal cream. I stopped taking the creams a few days ago due to the insomnia but I'm stilling experiencing severe insomnia. I'm not sure if it takes a few days to get out of your system but I hope things get better soon as I can't keep going like this.
Jan 09, 2017
 Progesterone cream causing insomnia and anxiety
by: Anonymous

I too have this issue with the progesterone cream. I know I need it but cannot get past these issues of insomnia and anxious/nervous feel when I use the cream. I do get testosterone pellets and do fine with those. I am still menstruating so no estrogen but do have heavy periods and fibroids that I know would get better if I could tolerate the progesterone.
Feb 02, 2017
 insomnia
by: Cheryl

I first started taking the Natpro to see if it would help with severe insomnia. My progesterone/estrogen ratio was 44:1 ( blood work). I had no other symptoms. Within a few hours of starting the Natpro my face was burning hot and anxiety started in my stomach and I became increasingly anxious through the night. I took it again at 4 am and again at 6 am ( total of 150 mg so far). I noticed a calming effect when I took it at 4 am but I wasn't able to sleep. So I took it again at 6 am to see if it would help me sleep. I slept about 2 hours. At 11 am I was very anxious again so I applied another 50 mg and it did not help at all. I poured over all the information on the website to make sure I was applying it correctly but was so anxious and emailed Joy for some answers. I re applied another pumpful at 4 pm and felt even more anxious and my face was so hot! I had to go to a meeting that night and I was one of the leaders so I decided not to take any more because I could barely function I was having panic attacks. I even had to take something to relax me before I went to the meeting so I could function. So I took a total of 250 mg in 16 hours and then stopped completely. Those symptoms lasted 5-6 days without taking any more Natpro. My face is still red 8 days later and became very dry. I am in perimenapause. Joy told me that it may take 3 to 6 months for the progesterone to dominate the estrogen and that I could apply more to see if it would cut down on the oestrogen symptoms. The anxiety/ panic attacks were so bad I could not even function and I had none of that before. I know I could not function for 3 months with that amount of anxiety/ it was debilitating. I will say that I slept for 2 nights through the night 2 days after discontinuing the progesterone. I used 1 mg Xanax both nights but now 1mg of Xanax does not put me to sleep at all. I have emailed Joy a week ago but she hasn't emailed me back. I almost wonder if I slept those 2 nights because I had so much anxiety during the day I was completely worn out and the Xanax worked because it was working against the anxiety and not on the insomnia. My GP just prescribed a low dose of Zoloft to see if that will help. I really wanted it to work but I was afraid if I kept taking more and more it would make the anxiety even worse and then it would take even longer to be excreted from my body. Does anyone have a similar story and has gotten good results from the Natpro?
Feb 06, 2017
 Help
by: V :-)

Hello,
I was wondering if I could get some advice from you?

I've had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago. I've tried a few kinds of hrt. I have candida, hypothyroidism and have a bacteria over growth in my small intestines. The doctor that is trying to help me has tried me on hormone creams. She starts me out on a very small amount and evertime the estrogen and or the testosterone causes me insomnia, flares up the candida and in the past it makes my breast sore. I've had a few bladder infections and she thinks that low estrogen is causing them so she's having me use estradiol twice a week in my vaginal area but I have to use it in the mornings otherwise I'm wide awake all night. Lately I feel like I've been using to much progesterone 50mg at night cause I feel it's causing me insomnia. I just had my saliva Cortisol Levels checked and my afternoon and night time are very high. I've read progesterone could cause this. Should women take a brake from progesterone once a month after having a hysterectomy so it doesn't build up in your system?

These are my blood test results...
Total Estradiol <10pg/ml postmenopausal <10
Progesterone 2.7ng/ml
Post menopausal <0.20ng/ml

I think this is high and my doctor says it's good for it to be high like this to help out with my fatigue. I don't agree with her and think I need to take a brake from it once a month and maybe lower my dose.

Total testosterone 15ng/dl 8-60
Free testosterone 0.08ng/dl 0.06-0.95

I'm a few weeks away from 50. Maybe my body doesn't like estrogen cause of the candida or maybe there's another reason. I also take naturethroid and am having trouble with that too if you need more information. I'm just hoping to get a few more answers before I go to see my doctor on the 13 of February. Thank you! V
Feb 21, 2017
 Progesterone DEFINITELY causes insomnia for some
by: J

Ladies, for some of us progesterone DEFINITELY causes insomnia, and for me, add low blood sugar,and food cravings. Because many in the health community have used Dr. Lee's book as the Gospel on female hormones, it has done many of us a disservice. I was on bioidentical hormones (troche then cream)for 7 years trying to control hot flashes, and for seven years have had severe insomnia. I recently gave up bio-identical and am on an estrogen patch. Whenever I add the 10 days of progesterone, I absolutely cannot go to sleep without a sleeping pill, and still wake prematurely with the pill. I have tried daily progesterone prior to the 10 day thing, and then I couldn't sleep all month long. On estrogen alone I sleep well, feel calmer, don't have blood sugar issues, or cravings. I wouldn't take progesterone at all if it weren't for the cancer risks of estrogen alone. The health community needs to tune into the fact that Dr. Lee's "therapy" is not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Apr 07, 2017
 insomnia and anxiety
by: Anonymous

I'm on bioidentical hormones BIEST cream AND progesterone. I also take levothyroxine.

My doctor recently increased my progesterone (pill) to 200 in hopes that I could get some sleep. Well, it's not working and seems to be getting worse and I'm dealing with anxiety.

I've taken Advil PM, benedryl and I'm about to try a natural sleep aid even though the clerk said it gave her weird dreams... I just want to sleep and stay asleep.

I'm wondering what's worse, hot flushes or the constant waking? I can't seem to shut my brain off once I'm awake for the zillionth time.

I'm calling my doc tomorrow. I rather liked NOT having a period but if this is the consolation prize then NO THANKS.
Aug 21, 2017
 Why Progesterone CAN *CAUSE* insomnia!
by: Anonymous

I am one of those "special" few who also gets severe insomnia from progesterone (oral, transdermal, and vaginal). And I finally found out WHY. (Or at least one reason why)

I don't understand why this isn't better known but progesterone CAN cause insomnia because it has *glucocorticoid* effects.

This means it can and DOES interact with cortisols' receptors (and activates them).

Why this is more pronounced in some vs. others is probably just a matter of idiosyncratic differences.

Sadly I'm one of the few who knows I need the GABA effects of progesterone but instead (or in addition), gets the Glucocorticoid effects. (And horrible insomnia and anxiety)

Just thought I'd share so others would know a) you're not alone, and b) there's actually a scientific reason

Nov 21, 2017
 Agree progesterone causes insomnia
by: Anonymous

I too have found that progesterone causes insomnia. (I have tried oral compounded and progesterone cream.) No idea what to do about this because I am taking estrogen by patch to help with severe postmenopausal insomnia and I still have a uterus. On estrogen alone I sleep fine.
Nov 21, 2017
 re: what to do (previous post)
by: Anonymous

unfortunately, if you have a uterus, and you are on estradiol, you NEED a progestin and a bleed periodically or you risk uterine cancer. So it's synthetic oral/patch/IUD or a hysterectomy. No choice :(.
Dec 01, 2017
 High Progesterone
by: Anonymous

I read the recent posts about progesterone and insomnia with great interest. I am peri menopausal (40 years old) and since having a child 4 years ago I developed naturally high levels of progesterone after having low levels since my early 30s. My progesterone during the luteal phase (day 21 of my cycle) is 25% higher than the medical recommended upper limit. My estrogen is normal and based on the lab results for lutenizing hormone I'm not showing signs of menopause yet. As a result, before my period starts, for 10 days I experience insomnia, anxiety, elevated body temperature, sweating, severe heart burn, nausea, and mood disturbances. I am also 30lbs overweight and can not seem to lose body fat even with exercise and sound nutrition.

My hormone specialist MD didn't believe progesterone could be causing the problem and prescribed 70mg/day transdermal progesterone cream to help my "PMS". Stupidly I agreed to this hairbrained idea and I've now had the worst 3 months ever. Every woman is different. What works for one won't work for all. There is a subset of us out there who are clearly sensitive to progesterone, and for whom the "estrogen dominance" paradigm is garbage.

Check out the work of Dr. John Stubbs in the U.K. He theorizes that PMS is caused by progesterone, not estrogen. I'm starting to wonder if for some women progesterone is the issue, not the solution.
Dec 07, 2017
 One more confirmation that progesterone causes insomnia
by: Anonymous

I do not know why more doctors and pharmacists are unaware that progesterone can cause insomnia. It appears from this blog to be very common. It has certainly been my experience.

The cream and the compounded micronized natural progesterone seem, for me, to cause the worst insomnia and to take the longest to clear from my system. (I am on week two since discontinuing 10-20 mg of oral natural progesterone and still cannot sleep.

Question: Have any of you tried Prometrium? I got raised cortisol and insomnia from taking 100 mg Prometrium for two months or so, but when I take 50mg or less 3 times a week I haven't had insomnia. However, Prometrium makes me very drowsy during the day, no matter what time of day I take it.
Dec 08, 2017
 Generic Progesterone Can Definitely Cause Insomnnia
by: Petra

Generic micronized progesterone (in either cream or pill form) CAN DEFINITELY cause severe insomnia, as I discovered from trying both and as I see from my online research.

My insomnia from generic progesterone has been so bad it does not respond to strong prescription sleeping pills, which usually knock me out. It also does not respond to increased estradiol. (I am still suffering jitteriness and severe insomnia two weeks after discontinuing the generic progesterone.)

Prometrium must be a different formulation because it does not cause insomnia unless I take too high a dose. (For me 100mg is too high.) However, Prometrium for many, including me, has the problem of causing daytime drowsiness no matter the time of day or night it is taken. But I will take the daytime drowsiness over this horrible insomnia.

Once the generic progesterone it is out of my system, I plan to resume HRT with Prometrium at 10-20 mgs every day or two. (I either cut the 100 capsule or pin prick the capsule and squeeze out the estimated amount.)
Dec 09, 2017
 Progesterone & Insomina
by: Anonymous

Generic Progesterone and Prometrium are both micronized progesterone - they are not different. If progesterone is taken orally, most is broken down by the liver so the amount of actual progesterone you get is maybe 15 mg (depends on the person). If you open the capsule and put it on your skin - you will get the whole 100 mg. If you take it orally, it's broken down into metabolites - one called allopregnenalone (not sure of spelling) is like a benzodiazepine and causes drowsiness. Best to take oral progesterone (including prometrium) at night.

Also, excess estrogen won't help with excess progesterone - it will actually make the insomnia worse. Excess estrogen will cause insomnia too (as will too little estrogen), it's more of a wired type of insomnia. So to the last poster - maybe consider lowering your estrogen (might help with the ongoing insomnia)

I have no answers. Seems some of us are just "different" :(.
I can't tolerate any progesterone. Even small amounts cause me insomnia that sleeping pills can't cure either.
Dec 09, 2017
 Take Prometrium at Night
by: Anonymous

To the poster above who finds Prometrium sedating.

Prometrium can help with sleep because it causes sedation/drowsiness. So take it at night.

And it seems all of us are getting increased cortisol from progesterone/prometrium.

I wish there were a reason why. I have searched and can find none.

If anyone finds a way around this, please come back and share!

I would love to tolerate progesterone but for now sadly, I can not. ;(
Dec 11, 2017
 Re taking only 10-20 mg by pricking the Promtrium
by: Anonymous

If you're on HRT with estradiol, 10-20 mg of progesterone isn't enough to protect your uterus from hyperplasia and cancer.
Talk to your doctor. You'll need something else.
Dec 11, 2017
 Prometrium
by: Petra

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately when I take Prometrium before bed it makes me drowsy the next day. I seem to remember when I first went on HRT for menopausal symptoms and was taking 100 mg of Prometrium it took a couple of months to cause insomnia. I read on another blog that someone's doctor told her that the latest thinking is to take 100mg of Prometrium for 10 days every three months. Has anyone heard of this method?
Dec 12, 2017
 Promètrium
by: Anonymous

Officially -by the studies done showing protection from endometrial cancer, you need to take 200 mg for 14 days.
I think it's called long cycling.

I've heard some doctors will offer ten days, but the studies showed a higher risk with ten days vs twelve. (How much higher? not sure but not much don't think. But still statistically significant I believe.)

If you can tolerate 200 mg for 10-14 days..go for it! I wish I could :( (After a few days I'm wired and exhausted and can't sleep even with pills)

And to the person who was sleepy the next morning after taking prometrium at night. I heard one person say their doctor recommended taking it at dinner to avoid the hangover sedation.

Best of luck ladies. I'm still hoping for a magic solution ...there has to be a way around this!! :(
Dec 15, 2017
 Thank you
by: Anonymous

The above comments are very helpful. I appreciate them.
Jan 07, 2018
 Has anyone sleeping better ?
by: Eileen

To anyone who has posted here commenting that they got severe insomnia after stopping the progesterone cream, I'm wondering if your insomnia has gotten better after some time. Can someone pls let me know roughly how long it takes, I know everyone is different, I just need to find some hope in this.

I was applying a VERY minimal amount of progesterone cream (5mg) daily for 2 cycles, and was starting to get a wired feeling at bedtime, so I stopped using it. But now I cannot sleep at all, even with prescription sleep meds.

Anyone slowly recovering from insomnia after stopping the cream ?

Thx in advance !
Feb 04, 2018
 Significant insomnia with progesterone
by: CindyCRNA

Hi All. I have been on HRT for about 9 years. I was on the cream, then oral then the troches. We changed compounding pharmacys to one in Wichita because my levels were too low with whatever they used in our local compounding pharmacy. My levels shot up and we adjusted the dose to acceptable blood levels.

I have fought insomina since starting menopause but it had progressively started to get worse in the last 6 months. I was waking up at 3am wide awake and a bit jittery despite taking ambien sr 12.5 mg, trazadone 50 mg and melatonin/magnesium. I was having to redose the ambian at 3am just to go back to sleep.

When I would forget to take my troche, I had some oral progesterone left over so would take that and noticed I slept better so now (we are only 1 day into this experiment) I took 200mg last night and am thinking of not taking any tonight. I have an appointment in a week with my BHRT doc who specializes in menopause. I think the progesterone has never helped me sleep although I will say, my hair has NEVER been thicker in my entire life as it is now! I am wondering maybe I could take the progesterone in the morning as it sure as heck doesn't make me sleepy!

I will report back as this is a rough way to live, sleep deprived.
Feb 05, 2018
 Significant insomnia with progesterone
by: Joy

Hi CindyCRNA

Progesterone does help with mild insomnia, magnesium glycinate also helps. Vitamin D3 is also very important as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone.

Please read the post by Wray further up on this thread, she explains things there.

Feb 05, 2018
 Thank you Joy
by: CindyCRNA

Hi Joy, thank you so much for your response.
I take 5000/day of D3 and my levels were checked. My doc says I'm one of the few in his practice with normal D3 levels.
Feb 06, 2018
 Prometrium vs generic progesterone
by: Anonymous

Hi Cindy

I found that generic bio-identical progesterone caused me severe insomnia. P is a precursor to cortisol and I am guessing the generic converts to cortisol more quickly than Prometrium. Many other people in this thread report severe insomnia and jitteriness with generic P.

For me, Prometrium, at 50 mg and under, does not cause insomnia. Right now I am taking approx 20 mg of Prometrium (obtained by pin pricking a 100mg capsule) and it is curing my long lasting post menopausal insomnia. I have stopped estrogen as 20 mg is not enough to oppose it and am sleeping fine without E.
Mar 16, 2018
 Progesterone and sleep
by: Cattrack

I take 200mg Promentrium pure progesterone capsules in the evening. Before I take it I have to make sure all the doors are locked, everything switched off, pets fed and their supper provided etc, everything taken care of for the evening because soon after I take it all I can do is barely stagger into bed.

I love this because I always used to have trouble sleeping and getting up in the morning. Because of that I could never get into a productive routine and get the things I want done. The promentrium has also given me back my energy during the day, improved my circulation, gave me back a strong regular heatbeat, and probably has other benefits too.
Jul 03, 2018
 Insomnia
by: SleeplessinMichigan

I applied a single application of Natural Progesterone cream (brand Emerita) 20mg on Jun 24th and have had terrible insomnia since then. Have had to switch between melatonin and ambien.

How long does it take for the progesterone to leave the system? Those who had similar issues in comments above, please let me know, how you handled it?
Jul 04, 2018
 Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi SleeplessinMichigan

Progesterone therapy takes time to work, it is not an overnight fix and can take 2-6 months for the body to adjust. You are also not using enough progesterone. If you read the posts made by Wray, 100-200mg is needed. It should be used no less that twice a day, half in the morning and the other half at night in order to keep levels stable. Please read How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance.

Vitamin D3 is very important as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone. Optimal range is between 70-100ng/mL and co-factors are needed when taking D3. Magnesium and vitamin K2 are the important ones to take.
Jul 04, 2018
 To above post re progesterone and insomnia
by: Anonymous

I too experienced severe insomnia from taking progesterone in any form/dosage. As I discovered from much research, progesterone can raise cortisol levels because it is a precursor to cortisol and competes with cortisol for the same receptor. As I recall it took a few days for progesterone and subsequent excell cortisol to leave my system.
Jul 05, 2018
 Re insomnia resolution
by: Anonymous

With respect to the question about how long the insomnia lasts after the last dose...For me, depending on the dose and duration of use, anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.
If you still have insomnía this far out, I'd be suspicious it's something else. But I am not a medical professional and ymmv.
Jul 05, 2018
 Interesting about cortisol levels
by: Cindy

I wonder if you can test to see if your cortisol is high and that is what is causing the insomnia? I have fought it since menopause. I take an Ambian SR before bed and often have to redose with a regular Ambian because I wake up at 3am and can't get back to sleep.
Jul 06, 2018
 Cortisol
by: Anonymous

Yes, you can get your cortisol levels tested. Mine are normal when not taking P but rise when taking it. I could tell my levels were raised by the hyper, races way I felt when taking P. That being said, many post menopausal women have a problem with sleep maintenance even without raised cortisol. There are a couple of things I use that have helped. If you would like to email me at (note from moderator: apologies though we do not publish private email addresses as this could lead to spamming and other problems), I will gladly share my experience with you.
Jul 06, 2018
 Insomina From Progesterone?
by: SleeplessinMichigan

Thanks all for your suggestions. I think my body is slowly getting back to normal. After using Ambien for 3 days, I have switched to extended release Melatonin (5mg) and Tylenol PM and it appears to help so far. Also having Chamomile tea in the night helps.
Jul 12, 2018
 Insomnia
by: SleeplessinMichigan

For the poster above my earlier comment, are you able to share what you did? I have now quit Ambien and sleeping okay with melatonin only. I have been told that melatonin counteracts high cortisol. It has now been 2.5 weeks since that single administration and I am yet to go back to my normal sleep schedule where I slept without any melatonin.
Jul 13, 2018
 To SleeplessinMichigan
by: Anonymous

The two things I have found most helpful are Som (a drink you can order on Amazon that is melatonin mixed with a few other things like L-Theanine) and Gabapentin. With the Som, I find I can only take about 1/3 of a can a few nights a week. I have found that too much melatonin acts as a stimulant and that less is more.

Gabapentin (for which you need a prescription) works the best of anything I have tried and does not have any hangover effects. I take 200-300mg, about an hour and half before bed. I have read you can quickly build up a tolerance for it and have found this to be true, so I limit myself to using it 3X/week.

I know what it is like dealing with insomia - no fun - and I wish you the best in finding what works for you. If you come across something that works, please let me know so I can try it.
Jul 14, 2018
 Re insomnia after stopping progesterone
by: Anonymous

Forgive me, I didn't see how long you've been on progesterone but It's possible that despite stopping the progesterone you've built up a depot in your fat cells. I had a doctor say even if I put it on thinner skinned areas, depending on the dose it would travel around and get stored at other sites.
And there's a MD, PhD duo who wrote a book (? Crazy sexy something). It was written to be read by doctors as well as patients with citations and all. I vaguely recall them talking about seeing patients horribly saturated with progesterone and taking many months if not years to get their p levels to normal after stopping. (I think it was that book, but not 100% sure)
Might not fit your situation but thought I'd share :)
Jul 16, 2018
 To Anonymous
by: SleeplessinMichigan

I had just a single application of Natural Progesterone cream on 6/24/2018.

Prior to that, I had used Progesterone suppository for 10 days in a couple of cycles once in Nov 2017 and once in April 2018. Other than that I have not used any Progesterone.

I think some of us react badly to the Progesterone and it does indeed take time for the body to come back to normal.
Jan 18, 2019
 Insomnia and weight gain
by: Anonymous

I am usually spotting just before my periods, also I had a misscariage so my doctor put me on vaginal susten 100mg after ovulation. Since day one I started having insomnia, waking up after 4 hours of sleep and being unable to fall back to sleep. I increased to 200mg but it was even worse, I am waking up after 2 - 3 hours tops with anxiety. I also put some weight. I will stop it cause it is clearly not for me.
Nov 30, 2020
 Insomnia
by: Cori McDaniels

Hello

I am 39 years old and in the last year started experiencing symtoms. My face began breaking out like no other time in my life , my periods became lighter and shorter and my mood started fluctuating between anxiety and low moods.

I have a cyst on my ovary that I was watching via ultrasound and a few weeks ago the results showed the cyst is a normal simple cyst but my endometrial stripe is irregular and thickening. I believe I am not ovulating .

I am going to do a Dutch test , but I did start supplementing with topical bio identical progesterone. While it helps my anxiety, I have the WORST time sleeping when I take it. I know I am not imagining this.

Last night I had a broke. 5 hours of sleep. Any advice on how to help ovulation along and shed the lining of my uterus without messing up my sleep?

Ty !
May 11, 2021
 Insomnia and anxiety
by: Ashley

Hi I just wanted to leave a comment here if anyone ever sees it. I’ve read this whole comment section multiple times with the same problem. But I think I found the answer. I kept having this problem but I really read this website and learned that you really have to find the right dose for you. And most likely if your having this problem your probably just not taking enough. I tried 20, 100, 200, 300, 400mg and experienced at least insomnia at all of these doses. When one dose didn’t work I increased it the next day but it didn’t really work. So I gave my body a break and experimented a different dose every month and so I stuck to 400 the next month and I actually had no insomnia or anxiety and I actually slept better.
Jun 01, 2021
 Suppository
by: Erin

Would it be plausible to use the oral capsule as a suppository to avoid the gut not absorbing the hormone. Would this method impuinsomnia?
Jun 01, 2021
 Suppository
by: Joy

Hi Erin

Suppositories are perfectly fine to use as a suppository,  Just make sure that ingredients used do not cause irritation.  Oral progesterone, as you most probably have read, is not the  best delivery method.
Jun 02, 2021
 3 days into it and my sleep is strange
by: Caroline

I'm 39, been suffering heavy, flooding and huge fitted periods since I was 35. Gyno's could only recommend the pill, so I tried it but quit after 3 months. I am now experimenting with progesterone cream. Its been 3 days now. My husband said my body odor changed.....not a bad smell mind you.
As for sleep,,,hmm last night I took a pea size amount and rubbed it in but I felt anxious and wide awake at I don't normally have sleeping problems, but my sleep now is strange almost as if I am half asleep so I don't feel like I got a good nights sleep. I usually sleep very well and wake up refreshed. I am scared to continue incase it all goes to my fat and won't leave
Jun 02, 2021
 3 days into it and my sleep is strange
by: Joy

Hi Caroline

I am so pleased that you stopped taking the pill.  All drug based contraceptives have a potential to cause harm as mentioned further down on this thread.

Your body is detoxing hence the bad odour.  Strangely enough this does not affect all women.  You also need to give progesterone a chance to work, 3 days is not nearly enough time.  It can take anything between 2-6 months before one benefits.  A pea size is not enough either, nothing less than 100mg per day is needed.  Usually between 100-200mg is what seems to help most women.  Use half in the morning and the other half at night.  Please read the How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance pages also mentioned on this thread.  If you use anything less than 100mg you will aggravate your estrogen receptors making matters worse.  This would explain your anxious feeling.

Progesterone does not store in fat cells, that is one of many Progesterone Misconceptions.
Jul 28, 2021
 capsule as a suppository
by: Anonymous

June 1, Erin asked if it's ok to use a capsule as a suppository. Joy answered, "Suppositories are perfectly fine to use as a suppository...". I presume Joy meant to say Oral capsules are perfectly fine to use as a suppository?
Jul 29, 2021
 Insomnia & Dose
by: Anonymous

Warning.
Some have suggested that increasing the dose can avoid or bypass the insomnia. I have tried this. I got so wired it was near manic on one occasion. On others I got seriously depressed. For some of us progesterone that we take and don’t produce naturally just doesn’t work.
Jul 29, 2021
 Insomnia and dose
by: Joy

Hi there

I am so sorry that progesterone therapy didn't work for you. It certainly has worked for so many. You haven't stated what you were taking and how much and this makes a difference. So to does a Vitamin D3 deficiency. Progesterone is certainly not the 'cure all' for everything. It often requires help in terms of nutrients.

Take care.
Jul 30, 2021
 Further drop in hormone levels
by: Anonymous

The recurrence if insomnia could be due to the continued decline of hormones, so previous low doses of hormone supplements may no longer work. I had to increase both eostrogen and progesterone amounts to keep up with all kinds of issues, including fatigue,weakness, skin reactions,itching.
Sep 01, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

After menopause at 53 I started to sleep for 5 hrs (previously 7). It later improved to 6-6.5. Now at 65 I've had insomnia for 2.5 yrs, which is driving me crazy. I have a night life I don't want! Wake twice in night, and after the 2nd time I have to take lots of magnesium to get back to sleep, although lately it's not working. Don't drink after dinner, but have to pee both times AND when I wake up! Melatonin even up 10 mg didn't work.
Past testing has shown estrogen dominance, but I've only ever been prescribed a pathetic 10-15 mg cream, or 100 mg troche with estriol once a day. Off hormones recently, due to an unexplained huge surge in estrogen, then blood test showed no hormones.
I got excited when reading a Belgiuim study that gave postm women 300 mg progesterone caps for 3 weeks and sleep improved around 50%. When processed through the liver allopregnanolone is produced stimulating GABA.I tried the 300mg caps and they did nothing!
Then I found this site, which says the capsules are useless at providing a decent dose. It's confusing.
Started using a pot of progn cream 100mg 2xdaily nearly 3 weeks now. Insomnia hasn't improved yet, but at least not worse. Advice by Wray is to increase fortnightly if not feeling better, but also I've read it can take months to get better, so not sure if I should increase yet.
Some ladies here haven't described exactly what dose progn they're taking, how often, or for how long.I'm surprised at the many that are taking sleeping pills either before or since progn therapy due to new insomnia. Ambien and benzo's stimulate GABA and this is a supplement Wray recommends for insomnia to get you through the initial estrg dominance that progn therapy can result in. No-one here has tried GABA. I've just ordered it from iherb. The testimonials are very helpful. Note that coffee blocks GABA.
I'm in Qld Australia and received my 3 Natpro today . It took 6 weeks! It was stuck in the USPS for 1 month. 2 days after ordering I was sent an email saying it had been shipped, but only a shipping label had been created.
Sep 01, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi Heather

Thank you for mentioning shipping and the delay in receiving your Natpro. It is good that as many people read this so that they understand what a frustrating time it has been.

COVID has had such an impact on so many businesses. It has caused companies to run on skeleton staff, this includes USPS. They are dealing with massive backlogs. This is totally out of our control, there is nothing that Organic Products can do to speed things up. Hopefully things will improve for all companies who are dealing with the same issues soon. Many thanks for your understanding as frustrating as it was for you.

That dreaded insomnia is simply awful and you are certainly not alone. It strikes as Peri-Menopause and Menopause sets in. I am one such victim. Progesterone certainly helps as it is a calming hormone, but it needs help in the form of nutrition. One has to be careful with GABBA as too much can have the opposite effect. It never worked for me, but others have benefited. Follow Wray's advice when it comes to GABBA. Personally the Adrenal Fatigue Cocktail helped me greatly, along with Magnesium Glycinate and Epsom salts baths.

Caution needs to be taken when taking Benzo drugs, they are highly addictive and one needs to wean off with the help of a professional. A Vitamin D3 deficiency can also affect sleep, please make sure that your level is optimal. Don't be fooled into thinking that because you live in Australia that you are getting enough sun, that would be wrong. I live in South Africa, we get just as much sun and I was terribly deficient.

You don't mention what your test results were, the ratio is what is needed, not so much individual tests. See the Hormone Testing page.

Progesterone therapy is not easy, I wish it was. It usually takes between 2-6 months before one feels it's benefit. However, some women feel the effect within a few weeks. As I keep mentioning, what suits one may not suit another. One has to experiment to see what suits them best. Some find relief by using 100mg per day others 400mg but most 200mg per day seems to be the winner. Like I said, experiment.

As for coffee, I have to have one cup a day, in the morning. Too much of anything is not good I guess.
Sep 19, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

Hi Joy,
4/20/20 my ratio was 136.4 taking E3, progn, DHEA vaginally. Mch '21 ratio was 4.67, showing an unexplained high estradiol. 50 mg progesterone in capsules were added and tested in May '21 ratio 14.21, estradiol had nearly doubled! I was then taken off all hormones and tested June '21. Those results just showed < (less than) the ranges for estradiol and progesterone, so no idea what if any hormones I had. I'm 65. My gyno blamed compounding BHRT for the estrogen spikes and said it can't be trusted for consistency in dosing.
I stayed off the vaginal cream and capsule and tried progesterone capsules 300 mg but they didn't help my sleep.
Now been using 200 mg progesterone cream for 5 weeks. No improvement in sleep. Have been experimenting with GABA, up to 200 mg now, less waking during the night, but still waking early, tired and depressed. My brain energy is all over the place and have to sleep after lunch. Brain energy drops bring on depression. Salt before bed hasn't helped and 500 mg magnesium glycinate was, but is no longer, helping. Have tried different adrenal treatments in the past due to thyroid being low. Have stopped the Armour after taking it for decades, as dr. said it's not helping even with achieving good T4, T3 and lowered TSH, which was a bit high. Have been taking vit D 5,000 i.u. for 4 mths.
No I certainly wasn't recommending people take addictive beno's. Just explaining how they work.
I just read on this site that if depression and heart palpations were experienced before progesterone therapy (which I had), that doses up to 400 mg should be tried, and I've noted you have suggested that. I'm going to increase my dose today.Thanks
Sep 20, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi Heather M

I am a little confused by your results. I need test results for estrogen and progesterone in order to work out your correct ratio. Have you checked your test results against the Hormone Testing page given? If you were taking or were taking HRT, then your estrogen level would be high. As you have most probably read on this website, we do not believe that any woman needs to take extra estrogen. There are well over 100 estrogen mimics in our Environment as it is. Do we really need to take more? I also don't believe any woman should be given DHEA either. DHEA increases estrogen and testosterone, and with it an increased risk of cancer see here and here.

Any form of oral progesterone is not the best delivery method as around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver. Please consider using a good organic progesterone cream such as Natpro which is a 3% cream. Progesterone cream should be used no less than twice a day, morning and again at night in order to keep progesterone levels stable. Never use progesterone once a day.

Have you tried the Adrenal Fatigue Cocktail yet? It also helps with sleep, page given above. You can check the rest of your hormones against the Hormone Testing page.

What is your vitamin D3 level? It must be optimal as stated on the page given. It can take time if you were or are deficient to get the required level needed .

I always state that if an amount of progesterone is not working then increase it. Everyone is different, we all need different amounts of progesterone. Experiment to see what works for you best.

Progesterone therapy is not easy, I wish it was. It certainly does work if used correctly and vitamin D3 levels are optimal.
Sep 25, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Anonymous

Joy,
April '20 estradiol was 55 pmol. Progn 6.5nmol
Mch '21 estradiol was 643 Progn 2.9
Was using the same dose of BHRT, estr, DHEA, progn vaginally during these tests.
I stopped that BHRT and did say I've been using progesterone cream 200 mg (100 x2)for 5 weeks now. I use only 6 mg DHEA vaginally, as it works on all 3 layers of the vagina for atrophy. My DHEA is in the normal range. I now know I don't need the estriol and won't ask for it if I get a repeat on the DHEA. Sex was so painful, and still is occasionally.
I tried the progesterone capsules for the allopregnenalone metabolites produced via the liver for sleep. I now know I wouldn't have gotten the other benefits compared to using high dose P cream.
Vit D: June'20 150 nmol. 5,000 i.u. 6 days/wk.
May '21 99 5,000 i.u. 6 days/wk.
Increased to 5,000 i.u.(with K2) 7 days/wk. since last test. Maybe I need more?
Sep 27, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi there

Please read my comment to Heather M below about DHEA etc.  Natpro progesterone cream is excellent for atrophy, plus it has no nasty side effects.  It is also an excellent lubricant.

All forms of oral progesterone is not the best Delivery Method as around 96% get destroyed by the gut and liver as you know.  You certainly did not get the full benefit from oral progesterone.
Please read up on Vitamin D3.Test results are stated there.  Also Magnesium is vital.  In fact all those co-factors are vital when taking D3.  They also help to boost our immune system, adding protection against COVID.  Please have a Vitamin D3 test done if you are unsure of what your current level is.  If very low, you probably need to increase it to 10 000iu's per day for about a month, then reduce it to 5 000iu's.  If deficient, it reduces the benefits of progesterone. 

Take care.
Sep 28, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

Joy,
You asked for my progn and estrogen test results to work out my ratio, which I provided. Can you work it out please? I couldn't understand how to do it, and when I used an on-line calculator you said what I got didn't make sense.
My vit D was recently tested in May '21. It was 99 nmol.taking 5,000 i.u. 6 days a week. I then increased to it to 7 days a week. My dr will only order the test yearly. I know it should be 175-250.
I don't think 99 is very low?? Just trying to work out how many more tablets to take. I take magnesium 500-600 mg.
Will Natpro transdermally help atropy? Wray says she uses some vaginally, but I don't know how she applies it exactly. I have the pump bottle.
Sep 29, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

​Hi Heather

Your test results do not make any sense to me. Please can I have your latest progesterone and estrogen test result, from that I can work out your correct ratio. On 25 September we received a submission by Anonymous with very similar questions. Would that be you?

I am baffled. Why would you only take vit D3 for 6 days? I am pleased that you are now taking it for 7 days. However, your D3 level is very low. It should be between 175 - 250nmol/L yours is 99nmol/L as stated on the Vitamin D3 page given. Please increase to 10 000iu's for a month, then reduce down to 5 000iu's per day, every day. If your doctor won't test again, then consider doing it online via Birmingham Hospital and ZRT Labs, links are given on the page.

To get the full benefits of progesterone for atrophy, it needs to be inserted in the vagina at night. I use my finger and insert or get an applicator. It's much​​ easier to just use your finger.
Sep 30, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

Joy,
Yes, anonymous was me on 25th Sep. Sorry, I forgot to type in my name!
estradiol Progesterone
April '20 55 pmol/L 6.5 nmol/L
Mch '21 643 2.9
Then a 50 mg progn capsule 2 weeks on/2 weeks off was added, and estrogen went up to 1080!!!, progn 13.3.
I then went off all hormones and the next test just showed E<50, P<0.5 (Since then on 200 mg Natpro)
6x5,000 i.u. vitD/wk was dr's instructions. My level on that was 150 nmol/L June '20, and dr. said to stay on that dose. When it dropped to 99, she said take 5,000 daily.
Yes I'm totally convinced to do the 10,000, then 5,000 as you've said. I re-read your site's resource and started that yesterday.
What's a decent dose for vaginal atrophy? (With the remainder of my 200 mg transdermally.)
Thanx so musch
Oct 03, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi Heather M

Thanks for clearing this up.

Taking your March 2021 test results, your progesterone:estrogen level was 5:1. As explained, it should be around 600:1. I don't agree with coming off hormones when testing. You want to see what your level is while taking them and if they are improving. Stopping caused your level to drop to 1:1. You really do need to use a lot more progesterone to get your progesterone level up. You probably need to use more than 200mg per day every day. See how you go.

I am still baffled as to why one needs to take a day break when taking D3, stopping even for one day will reduce D3 level. Please increase to 10,000iu's for a month as explained.

There is no specific amount to insert in the vagina. Inserting 200mg will cause a mess, I suggest one full pump, 50mg. Experiment and see what suits you best.

A reminder that progesterone must be used no less than twice a day, half in the morning and the other half at night. Or spread out during the day, but never once a day. This will keep progesterone levels stable as they drop after 12/13 hours.
Oct 05, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

Joy,
Being kept on 5,000iu vit D for 6 days only per week wasn't really to give me a break from it. It was to prevent me going over the reference range of 150 nmol/L, which is what my test result was when taking 6 tablets a week. My functional medicine hormone dr obviously doesn't know about the levels required if suffering from insomnia, which I told her I had.
Maybe she thought I should come off all hormones temporarily to see if my vaginal cream (estriol 5, DHEA 25, 15 mg progesterone) was related to the estrogen surge in March. Having no detectable hormones when off the cream, I suppose proved it was the cream, even though I'd been on it for nearly a year and testing during that time never showed extremely high estradiol.
Learning what I know now from your site, that cream was a pretty crappy prescription for a 65 y.o. with insomnia and breast cysts. I'm now on the correct vit D and Natpro dosing. It's hard to know why drs do the things they do, eh?
Thanx
Oct 05, 2021
 Hoping Progesterone will help Insomnia
by: Joy

Hi Heather M

Your D3 level at 150nmol/L is not quite sufficient as explained on the page given. D3 needs to be taken every day.

As you say, who knows why doctors say and do what they do. Just keep on with the D3 and Natpro road and you will see an improvement. Please do not forget to take the co-factors mentioned on the D3 page, they are extremely important.

All the best.
Oct 17, 2021
 Hoping progesterone will help insomnia
by: Heather M

Hi Joy,
Just had bloods done at 7 weeks on Natpro 200mg.
E 418 pmol (113.85 ng/ml), P 26nmol (8.146 ng/ml) Is that ratio 289:1?
As E is high, I asked dr. about increasing P to lower E, but she said that will make P too high and that's not the right way to lower E, and that I'm not metabolising E. I asked, Isn't the ratio what you should go by?, she didn't answer. My DHEA was low. She said to continue the Natpro dose and have a Dutch test in 8 weeks (tests cortisol curve, all estrogens and hormones, neurotransmitters, etc. costing $500AU. :(
On 10,000iu vit D last 2 weeks and cofactors. Sleep is not improving yet.
Jun 04, 2023
 Vitamin D
by: Heather M

It is not necessary to take vitamin D every day. If you need to take vitamin D because your blood levels are low, you can take it every few days, weekly, or even monthly, because it is fat-soluble and, therefore, stored for future use within the fat in your body.
Jun 05, 2023
 Vitamin D
by: Joy

Hi Heather

I am going to have to disagree with you. Vitamin D3 should be taken every day. Please refer to the Vitamin D Council/Society and GrassRoots Health mentioned on the the vitamin D3 page further down.
Mar 24, 2025
 Can’t sleep even with progesterone.
by: Pam

Good morning! I just discovered this valuable site last night when I was awake over 4 hours despite my progesterone cream.

With a history of stage one estrogen receptive breast cancer 28 years ago,, I have suffered from persistent insomnia for years. Despite every remedy known to mankind. In desperation, I reached out to my NP for hormone testing and HRT. All of my hormones were low.I just started one ml of progesterone cream daily and miraculously I’ve been falling asleep within 10 minutes! However, for the last two nights I’ve had breakthrough insomnia in the middle of the night. Last night it was 4+ hours.

I’m so discouraged! Should I give it more time or should I contact my NP for an increased dosage or added hormones to the cream? Thank you so very much for your wisdom and guidance!
Mar 24, 2025
 Can't sleep even with progeterone
by: Joy

Hi Pam

I encourage you to read all posts by Wray and Joy. Things are explained in detail and the correct use of Natpro explained.

I am unsure who advised you on how to use progesterone, but the 1ml used is incorrect. Nothing less than 100-200mg is required, more if symptoms are severe. Half in the morning and the other half at night. It can take 2-6 months of the correct use of Natpro Progesterone Cream before one benefits.

All forms of estrogen should be avoided especially with your history of breast cancer.

Vitamin D3 levels must be optimal as explained in this thread.

Best wishes.
Mar 24, 2025
 Dose during the night if necessary
by: Heather M

Some women have been prescribed over 900 mg for treating different issues (heavy menstrual bleeding that has avoided hysterectomy, and several doses throughout the day for anxiety to lower cortisol)
You can't overdose on progesterone, so taking it again during the nigh, to lower cortisol spikes, is fine. Stress during the day uses up progesterone and magnesium. So especially on those days you need more.
Mar 25, 2025
 Dose during the night if necessary
by: Joy

Hi Heather M

Thank you for your post. Progesterone is a calming hormone so it will help with stress and cortisol levels as you mentioned.

I must point out that using progesterone at night is necessary. Progesterone levels start to drop after 12 hours. It can of course, also be used as many times during the day if using high amounts of Natpro Progesterone Cream. The main thing is to keep progesterone levels stable at all times which is why nighttime use is necessary.

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