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Perimenopause sucks

by Rachel
(England)

I'm 43 and for the last 2 years I have had symptoms of perimenopause. Hot flashes I get either loads a day or none at all, sometimes I am emotional, and I suffer PMS (water retention ) and cyclic migraine.

My weight was rising so I took up exercise as people said it would also help with the symptoms, I use dumbbells and also do urban rebounding and exercise bike but it didn't help and I haven't lost any weight even though my diet is extremley healthy.

Recently I read a book by Dr Eric Berg and realised I needed to get my hormones in balance so I ordered some progesterone cream. The previous year I had only 3 periods in total but since using the cream, I've had a bleed every month and now I'm having another bleed on day 14 when I am just about to start using the cream again so I don't know what is going on but it means that out of four months I've only been able to use the cream twice becuse of irregulairity.

Thankfully I haven't had any more hot flashes and the 7lb weight gain I used to get on week 3 of my cycle doesn't happen anymore so I am pleased with that but I feel like my exercise efforts are just wasted. I'm doing 50 minutes a day (maybe this is too much?) and all I am doing is maintaining the same weight. I read that progesterone allows fat burning to happen so maybe I just need to give it more time.

My main concern is, do I really have excess oestrogen because sometimes I'm sure my levels of oestrogen fluctuate a lot and maybe I should take soy isoflavones or something as well.

Comments for Perimenopause sucks

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Apr 04, 2009
 Perimenopause sucks
by: Wray

Hi Rachel. I agree with your sentiments on peri-menopause, a dreadful time. You might like to read the web page we have on it, it explains the erratic cycles etc:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/peri-menopause.html

It is safe to use the progesterone daily, with no break, I did this and didn't look back. You might consider doing the same. Please bear in mind it does take between 3-6 months for progesterone to take full affect.

It also sounds as if you have insulin resistance, this causes weight gain, tiredness, lack of energy, foggy brain, an inability to loose weight too. it is possible to reverse this with certain nutrients. If interested, please email me at:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/progesterone-faq.html

Take care Wray
Apr 13, 2009
 Perimenopause
by: Rachel

Thanks Wray, I hadn't considered using the cream for longer, but I think I will.

I had thought about Insulin resistance but it didn't really fit because I have loads of energy, I really enjoy my exercise and don't suffer from fatigue. I'm into my 4th month of Progesterone cream use now and have lost a kilo in weight, so I am convinved I am on the right track finally and excited about the future. Next time I won't be so impatient :)
Apr 14, 2009
 Perimenopause
by: Wray

Hi Rachel. Glad I could reassure you! Something I forgot to mention, you might not be using enough progesterone. I don't know what brand or dose you are using, but all the successful studies done on progesterone used between 100-200mg/day, which is 3-6ml of Natpro.

I've found the same through experience with myself and advising others. Please make sure you are getting enough progesterone, and adjust the dose to fit with the studies. Take care, Wray.
Oct 21, 2009
 How many weeks?
by: Jo

I am just trying to clarify - how many weeks out of the month do you normally recommend that people use the cream? I have just started using some and want to know. I was thinking Dr. Lee's book says use it three weeks and take a week off. OR maybe it was more like two - like start on day 12 of cycle and go to day 26? Can anyone offer advice on this?

And can anyone comment on whether the cream does have any bad effect on your lipid levels? Thanks!
Oct 25, 2009
 How many weeks?
by: Wray

Hi Jo. It really depends on whether you have a cycle or not, you don't mention if you do. If you have one it should only be used from ovulation, which in all women is 12-14 days before we bleed. You might like to see this web page.

If on the other hand you are in menopause you can use it every day if you wish. I see no point in taking a break, in fact whenever I try this my symptoms come back, just not worth it! You could look at this web page on menopause.

Progesterone is also protective against lipid peroxidation and protects against atherosclerosis. Furthermore it prevents clots forming as it prevents platelets aggregating, because it suppresses thrombin by about 10%. Take care, Wray

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