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Low Estrogen and Low Progesterone Together

by Ann
(Memphis, TN)

Wondering if anybody has this type of problem....test results came back with low progesterone and low estradiol.

Progesterone was lower... off the chart low. So the doctor prescribed me creams of progesterone and estrogen (not together).

My symptoms matched those of excess estrogen even though my levels were low because of the lower progesterone getting the ratio off.

Just wondering if I indeed need the estrogen cream also. Seems like when I take it I get chest pain and more anxiety. I know there is a ratio to balance between the 2 hormones and my progesterone was much lower.

If I continue with just the progesterone will the estrogen level correct itself?

Thanks everyone!

Comments for Low Estrogen and Low Progesterone Together

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Oct 27, 2009
Low Estrogen and Low Progesterone Together
by: Wray

Hi Ann. This often happens, and of course the woman is always given oestrogen too. It would give you more anxiety and a tight chest/chest pains, it's an excitatory hormone. You are so right about the ratios, if they are out, no matter how low the results of each, it will still have an adverse effect. I would recommend not using the oestrogen. It's more a question of getting rid of symptoms than the oestrogen level correcting itself. Take care, Wray

Sep 25, 2012
hormones off
by: piglett

I did a saliva test and it came back that I had low estrogen and low progesterone. I had a partial hysterectomy 20yrs ago and have never been put on HRT. I have gained two pounds in six days. The symptoms I was having have almost stopped but I am concerned about the weight gain. I have lost 30lbs two years ago and do not want to put it back on. I have gained in the last three mnths 10 pounds. I am also on adrenal support although the cortisol level was normal. She said it was on the low side in the morning so that showed I had adrenal burnout. I just thought I would see if anyone has an answer. I am 48 yrs old and don't want to weigh 200lbs just to feel normal. Thanks

Sep 26, 2012
hormones off
by: Wray

Hi Piglett I've answered your query on this page here. But I'll also paste it here too......
Hi Piglett Your ovaries would have long since ceased making much in the way of hormones. They tend to slow down 3-4 years after a hyst. Which effectively means you are now in Menopause. The average age for this is 51, so I would say the tiny amount of hormones they were making has now come to an end, judging by the recent increase in your symptoms. You could also look through our page on Peri-menopause. Your adrenals would be suffering too, from all the years of stress you've had. Progesterone levels range from 12-100 pg/ml, oestradiol from 0.5-1.7 pg/ml, testosterone from 16-47 pg/ml and DHEA from 32 - 240 ug/dL. So your progesterone is at the low end, so is your oestradiol. Your testosterone is at the high end, and your DHEA low. We do have a page on Hormone Testing you could look through. Unfortunately increasing DHEA can increase testosterone, see here, here and here. Another unfortunate thing, giving you oestrogen and so little progesterone will worsen your ratio, which is the last thing you need. 20mg/day would stimulate oestrogen, which can exacerbate any existing symptoms, plus cause weight gain. Oestrogen is a mitogen, causing cells to proliferate, including fat cells. It also causes water retention, the reason for the rapid weight gain in many women when using 20mg/day. This amount does not raise levels to that found in the luteal phase. I go into this on our Progesterone Misconceptions page. We've found from Saliva Tests we run that the ratio should be 600:1 and over to feel well. I recommend 100-200mg/day, but feel you would need at least 200mg/day to help your symptoms, possibly more. Another page you could look through is the one we have on How to use progesterone cream. Take care Wray

Sep 27, 2012
Hormones Off
by: Wray

Hi Piglett I do hope the weight tapers off, in many women it doesn't if on oestrogen too. Plus such a tiny amount of progesterone. Let us know how you get on. Take care Wray

Apr 26, 2013
Low Estrogene and Progesterone
by: Adkins

I found out in March 2013 through a saliva test and blood work through BodyLogic that my Estrogene and Progesterone both were low, with the progesterone being considerably low. The Bio-identical hormonal specialist put me on a series of treatments: Biest and DHEA-7 cream, a prescription for my thyroid, along with daily supplements for energy. My vitamin D and DHEA were also low. Check out the site BodyLogicMD for more information about the bio-identical specialists in your area. Although, I have only been on the program going into my 3 week, and my hair has started to grow back from thinning out, and my hot flashes are no longer worse in the day, but I have mild ones through the night. I pray that the next 3 weeks, I will start to feel even better; but after 3 months, the program gets tweaked by the specialist. I will ride it out for now to see what happens. Hope this information helps someone.

Apr 27, 2013
Low Estrogene and Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Adkins It appears the BodyLogic people haven't checked your ratios. This is the critical factor not the level of hormones. Both could be low, but if oestrogen is higher than progesterone adverse side affects will be felt. By giving you extra oestrogen I don't feel it will help at all. It also appears you haven't been given any progesterone, as you don't mention it. You might like to see the results of Saliva Tests we run, you'll notice the ratio in each case is over 600:1. If you know your levels you can work out your ratio. And please take a look at these papers here, here, here and here on DHEA. Unless by DHEA-7, you mean 7-keto DHEA? This is meant to be a better choice, but there's little info on it. You might like to read our page on Hot Flushes too, I've found about 400mg/day progesterone is needed. We also have a page on Hair Loss too, there are a few nutrients which help. Take care Wray

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