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Should I use Progesterone cream?

by Stacey
(Houston, TX)

I had a complete hysterectomy over a year ago and I've gained 20 lbs. I also have water rentention on and off. I'm not taking HRT at all. Should I use progesterone cream? Is that my problem?

Comments for Should I use Progesterone cream?

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Oct 23, 2008
 Should I use Progesterone cream?
by: Wray

Hi Stacey Taking out the ovaries creates turmoil in the ovarian hormonal system by shutting down the production of both oestrogen and progesterone.

Unfortunately fat cells continue to make oestrogen but not progesterone. Oestrogen also stimulates fat cells, so the more fat cells we have, the more oestrogen is made, a vicious cycle is started. With no progesterone to counter the oestrogen this continues to rise and fat cells continue to be made.

Oestrogen also causes water retention, progesterone is an excellent diuretic. In fact so good that it is now being used via IV transfusion to prevent the oedema that occurs after a traumatic brain injury. With very little progesterone being made (the adrenals, brain and glial cells also make tiny amounts), supplementing with it would be a good idea.

Excess oestrogen causes insulin resistance, which would be compounding the problem. I would hazard a guess your liver is struggling to metabolise the oestrogen too. It needs the amino acid methionine to do this, so it might be an idea to get some. We do have some info on insulin resistance on our PCO web page you might like to read:

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

Hope this helps, take care Wray
Sep 28, 2009
 Conception
by: Anonymous

I am trying to conceive. My progesterone level during mid cycle is 12.4. Should I use this cream to aid in conception? Am I a good candidate for that?
Oct 07, 2009
 Conception
by: Wray

Hi there It's difficult to tell if you need the progesterone or not, as you give me no symptoms. Have you had miscarriages, do you have a short luteal phase, spot before your period? All these indicate a need for supplemental progesterone. If your progesterone level was 12.4ng/ml mid-luteal phase, ie taken ±7 days before you bleed, then it is a bit low as it should be >15ng/ml or 259 ? 979 pmol/L.

We do have a questionnaire (see right margin of this page) you could do which will give you some idea of whether you need it or not.

You might also like to look at this web page on pregnancy. Take care, Wray

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