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Progesterone Questions that I can't seem to find answers to on your site

by Amanda
(Houston, TX)

Hi there

I've been using natural progesterone cream for about a year and a half and have slowly been increasing the amount I'm using. I'm 45 and have been in perimenopause since around 2017. I will have sporadic spotting, although in May, I had a decent enough bleed to actually use tampons again. Other than a bit of vaginal dryness, I don't have menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, brain fog, etc. I have a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to on your site and I've read everything there is to read.

When using natural progesterone, you advocate for a pretty high dosage per day. For a woman who's estrogen levels are slowly declining as menopause approaches, then is the point to become progesterone dominant by using a continuously high dosage with no breaks different from what Dr. Lee would recommend (24-26 days on with 5-7 days off each month) and I only mention him because he was one of the few out there, other than this site to give a really in depth information about the usage of natural progesterone cream. Doesn't becoming progesterone dominant have its own set of side effects? And from what I understand, after menopause a woman's estrogen levels are very low, so would high dosages still be needed, because is there such a thing as estrogen dominance if a woman's levels are menopausal and there is no more excessively heavy periods and other symptoms of estrogen dominance.

And, can a natural progesterone cream that's fragrance free like Nat Pro or Emerita be safely put in the vagina without causing a disruption of the normal vaginal flora? I've heard the vagina compared to a self cleaning oven. If the cream is safe to put in the vagina, what is the best way to administer it? Can you just put the amount on your finger and put it inside yourself? Or does it have to go deeper into the vagina to be effective?

Thank you, I look forward to your response!

Comments for Progesterone Questions that I can't seem to find answers to on your site

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Oct 05, 2022
 Progesterone Questions that I can't seem to find answers to on your site
by: Joy

Hi Amanda

I am sure that you have read the page of Peri-Menopause.  A missed period for 12 months with no spotting/bleeding at all puts you in Menopause.  Try inserting some Natpro progesterone cream in your vagina at night it will help with the dryness.  Just add a little of your finger night and insert in your vagina. That is all that is needed.  If you prefer, use an applicator.  If using another brand, make sure that the ingredients used don't cause irritation.  A reminder that progesterone must be used no less than twice a day, half the amount in the morning and the other half at night. 

When you say a high dose, what is that?  Usually between 100-200mg is needed.  More may be needed, it is dependent on symptoms.  Some use as much as 800mg.  TBI sufferers are given 1200mg per day.  Using less than 100mg will aggravate estrogen receptors, not what any woman wants. The aim of progesterone therapy is to make progesterone the dominant hormone at all times.   Again, I am sure that you have read the estrogen dominance page. The moment one stops using progesterone, all adverse symptoms will return as estrogen starts to become dominant again.

If you have a regular monthly cycle or TTC, then of course, use progesterone by following your cycle, luteal phase. It becomes rather difficult to use progesterone by following your cycle once in Peri-Menopause as the monthly cycle starts to become erratic and difficult to follow. I don't think Dr Lee mentioned this.

Hope this helps.
Oct 05, 2022
 Miss McFadden
by: Ilene

Hi joy , I have stopped body identical hrt altogether. Is it safe to take utrogestan on its own as I am so unsure about this ? I have bought wellsprings natural progesterone because of the uncertainty? I still have menopausal symptoms, headache/migraine& the dry eyes & sore mouth & gums which are the most problematic, other symptoms I can handle better . Can you advise please , many thanks ilene
Oct 06, 2022
 Miss MacFadden
by: Joy

Hi Ilene

I'm pleased that you have stopped HRT. All drug based HRT's have a potential to cause harm as already mentioned. I do hope that you weaned off slowly, it's much kinder on the body that way. One should do this at the same time as using progesterone to give the body support.

Utrogestan, if oral, is not the best Delivery Method as around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver. The little that you are getting is merely aggravating estrogen receptors. Please make sure that whatever brand you decide to use equates to that of Natpro Progesterone Cream. Advice given here is based on Natpro which is a 3 % cream and was formulated over 30 years ago. I think I may have mentioned this to you before. This explains why you are still battling with estrogen dominance symptoms.

Best of luck.
Nov 25, 2022
 I'm the Original Poster - Follow up
by: Amanda

I recently began using a very small amount of natural progesterone cream in my vagina and have been having somewhat of a period for the past 2 weeks and now I found out from my normal, no HPV pap test that I have a yeast infection. I've been itching like mad down there and I've never had a yeast infection ever until shortly after I began putting the cream in the vagina. I was prescribed the one dose antifungal, Flucazone (not sure of correct spelling), which I took Tuesday afternoon. I was afraid of the cream disrupting the ph or flora of the vagina which was why I was so hesitant to do it. has anyone else gotten a yeast infection after using natural progesterone in the vagina?
Nov 26, 2022
 I'm the Original Poster - Follow up
by: Amanda

Hi Amanda

Sounds like you have Candida and progesterone is excellent for this, it certainly doesn't cause it as explained on the page. What cream are you using? Some creams may contain an ingredient that could cause irritation.
May 21, 2026
 Doesn't becoming progesterone dominant have its own set of side effects?ed, beca
by: Anonymous

Hi, please if someone could answer this question it never really gets a clear answer ... i'm 52 post menopause and i was suffering with estrogen dominance and was using very high dose progesterone 800-1200 split throughout the day since age 48 now at 52 could it be not allowing what little estrogen my ovaries are producing to do its job the bad estrogens are in body fat and i am over weight. Please answer can progesterone suppress estrogen and stop its effects if you have overcome estrogen dominance can high dose meaning more than 200-400 a day cause estrogen deficiency....please and thanks
May 22, 2026
 Progesterone Questions that I can't seem to find answers to on your site
by: Joy

Hi there

To answer your question yes, progesterone does help to suppress estrogen. The aim of progesterone therapy is to make progesterone the dominant hormone at all times. Estrogen is produced not only by the ovaries, but also by the brain and glial cells in the body. In addition, there are well over 100 estrogen mimics in our Environment , which is why progesterone supplementation is beneficial.

How estrogen dominant are you? Do you have your test results available? Also, how are you actually feeling on such a high amount of progesterone?

Those suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury are given up to 1200mg per day via IV transfusion, so my question would be whether that amount is truly necessary in your case. What progesterone cream are you using? This website provides information on Natpro, which is a 3% organic progesterone cream. Even using a 3% cream, the amount you mention is considered quite high. Some creams are formulated at 10% or even 20%.

If you are feeling stable on the amount you are currently using, I would suggest reducing it very slowly and finding a level that best suits your needs. I am 70 and personally use between 150–200mg per day of Natpro. If I experience increased stress, I raise the amount temporarily to help me through that period.

Estrogen is also a mitogen, meaning it encourages cells, including fat cells to proliferate, which is why it can become stored in fatty tissue.

Take care.
May 22, 2026
 Hi Joy
by: Anonymous

Thank you for answering. I'm using natural progesterone was at 1600 mg originally then got use to 1200 I did wean down drop by drop a year ago but had some medical issues so decided to go high again... recently my bone density came back with a 10 % drop so am wondering could the little progesterone that ovaries make after menopause nit be working to protect bones due to the high dose of topical progesterone. I'll be going for blood work ... I feel good on my dose though as far as estrogen dominance. I should probably try and reduce slowly at least down to 400 I definitely need it more than twice daily historically that's been the case. I use Natura progesterone from soy compounded at by my pharmacy.....
May 23, 2026
 Hi Joy
by: Joy

Thanks for getting back to me. Progesterone compounded by pharmacies often contains parabens, so please bear that in mind. What also concerns me is the word "soy," which is something I believe should be avoided where possible - see here. You also do not mention the progesterone concentration it contains. For example, Natpro is a 3% progesterone cream. I would suggest ensuring that whichever cream you choose is comparable in strength to Natpro and it's contents.

You are supplementing with progesterone to compensate for the decline in progesterone production from your ovaries as well as your estrogen dominance symptoms. There are, however, many other causes of bone loss, one of the biggest being a Vitamin D3 deficiency. Please read the Osteoporosis page for more information.

Progesterone should be used no less than twice a day, and that applies to everyone supplementing with progesterone. Of course, there is no reason why you cannot also use it during the day as needed. Listen to your body.

Take care.

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