Menu

Trying to figure this all out...

by Tiffany
(Texas)

When I was pregnant with my first child, my doctor quickly discovered that I had low progesterone levels. I was put on prometrium and although I was very sick during my pregnancy, I had a healthy child. Second pregnancy ended in miscarriage very early. Third pregnancy, got back on the prometrium right away and another healthy baby.

My second child is 20 months old and since having her I have been struggling with lots of health issues. Anxiety, IBS, lots of joint pain, various muscle aches and cramps, allergies, headaches, depression, hair loss, heart palpitations, heart racing, sore breasts, etc. I could go on and on. I have been to several doctors including a few endocrinologists. Despite my informing them of my previous progesterone problems I have been told over and over that that will only affect my pregnancies and couldn't cause my current issues. I'm really starting to doubt that though. I have had my thyroid checked repeatedly and I've had my heart all checked out (and the cardiologist was adamant I had a hormone problem, and nothing was wrong with my heart). But no one has checked my progesterone.

So, my question is, do you think that the progesterone deficiency that shows up during my pregnancies, is actually a chronic problem?
I convinced my natural doc to check my progesterone levels, so I am wondering what is the best day during my cycle to test, or does it matter? I was given some progesterone cream by that doctor, its an RX and I am supposed to use .25ml's a day. That sounds like a very small amount compared to what I've read on this site. Should I stop using it before I check my levels checked, to get an accurate result?

Sorry for so much detail, I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or encouragement. I'm so sick of feeling like this! My children deserve a better Mom!!

Comments for Trying to figure this all out...

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 12, 2010
 I Hear Ya.
by: Anonymous

I have never responded to something like this, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Reading your post, my situation is almost identical to yours, except it all happened after having my one child who is now 23 months old. I just want to be able to take care of him and give him the mommy he needs.

To give you another person's experience: I take progesterone, and it is helping with the migraines and energy, but not sure it's helping with the anxiety. And it makes me have very short cycles (frequent bleeding), which isn't good for you, so I'm trying to adjust the dosage without throwing my body out of whack completely. Adjusting it is a slow and careful process.

Don't know if you're a Christian, but I recently attended the Be In Health: For My Life conference, which looks at the spiritual roots of our health problems. Very interesting, helpful, and ultimately gave me the motivation to try to get off the progesterone eventually, yet not feel guilty if I do need to take it.

Hope you feel better soon.
Oct 16, 2010
 Trying to figure this all out...
by: Wray

Hi Tiffany All your symptoms point to low progesterone. This drops sharply after birth sending about 25% of women into some form of post natal depression. Although depression itself is often not present, I believe this is what you are suffering from. Interesting that your cardiologist said it was a hormone problem, he was right! Excess oestrogen is behind it all, including the palpitations and racing heart. Oestrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval. Please see here, here, here and here Oestrogen is a known initiator of inflammation, hence your joint pain and other aches. Allergies too, progesterone inhibits mast cell secretion of histamine, see here. Mast cells are implicated in migraines and headaches, see here, here and here. Progesterone does help anxiety and depression, as do many nutrients, please see our page on Anxiety. The best time to do a test is mid-luteal phase, as progesterone rises to it's highest point then. The luteal phase is always 12-14 days in all women, so the test should be done ±7 days before a period or after ovulation. I'm not sure of the strength of the cream you were given, but even if it was 10% it would only give you 25mg/day progesterone. I recommend between 100-200mg/day, in your case the higher amount would probably be needed. But you also need help from the nutrients you'll find listed on the anxiety page. It would be best to stop the cream to get an accurate reading, but you don't have to wait too long to be tested, as progesterone drops after about 13 hours. Although you've been through 2 pregnancies, please look through our page on Pregnancy. It explains the role of progesterone before and after birth, and please read this link by Dr Dalton Take care Wray
Oct 16, 2010
 I Hear Ya.
by: Wray

Hi there I don't believe you are using enough progesterone. And it should not give you very short cycles, there is something wrong with the way you've been advised to use it. Although you say 'take', if that means you are on oral progesterone, it's not the best delivery system, please see our page on Progesterone application methods. For more info please see our page on How to use progesterone. It is excellent for migraines, please see here, here and here. And can help anxiety too, please see our page on Anxiety. Don't be in too much of a hurry to get off it either, it's very protective against the oestrogen mimics which now flood our planet, please see the website Our Stolen Future. Take care Wray
Oct 17, 2010
 thank you!
by: Tiffany

Wow! I had no idea that any one had commented on this. I hadn't been able to find where I had commented. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am getting my progesterone levels checked tomorrow and then I'm going to start ramping up the progesterone cream! Hopefully that will provide some results. I had taking several supplements, but I'll check the link you suggested for more help in the nutrition area.

I hear ya'... I'm so sorry that you are suffering this also. I'm glad that I'm not alone, but would never want anyone else to feel this way! I am a Christian...which has been the thing that has gotten me through this, and will check out the book you suggested. I would love to compare stories with you and hear more about your situation.
Oct 18, 2010
 another question...
by: Anonymous

I looked at my progesterone cream, and it says "50mg/ml". Does that mean that there are 50mg's per 1 ml? Just trying to figure out how to dose this stuff. After I am done with the stuff I already have I'll have to see about getting a different kind.
Oct 22, 2010
 thank you!
by: Wray

Hi Tiffany Glad it was of help. But before you ramp up the cream please read this page on Oestrogen Dominance. This can occur and is disconcerting when it does. Take care Wray
Oct 22, 2010
 another question...
by: Wray

Hi there Yes 50mg/ml means 50mg's per 1 ml. If you follow my advice of using between 100-200mg/day you would need to use between 2 to 4ml per day of the cream. Take care Wray

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Progesterone levels.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...