Anyone have experience or knowledge about progesterone cream?

[OneGrassRoot]

I used organic yam-based progesterone cream about 10 years ago when I went through a mammogram scare (it went *poof* by the time I got to the surgeon, after six months of prolonged hell), and it really leveled off PMS symptoms.

I'm 45 and, while I don't have specific menopausal symptoms, I do have symptoms common to so many of us (fatigue, etc.), and the PMS symptoms seem to be intensifying.

So, I'm using the progesterone cream again -- just a dab each day -- and after one week of use I'm spotting.

That may or may not be normal, but I'd appreciate any feedback you goddesses (or men who knows goddesses ;)) may have about progesterone cream use. I'm not on any other hormonal therapy or birth control, btw, so that's not a factor here.

Sorry if this is an inappropriate question here.

Thanks. :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I use progesterone cream

And no, this is an appropriate question for the alternative healing forum, which this is.

You may wish to check with a doctor about this--could be you are getting ready to start "the change" when everything intensifies. This is what happened to me--more intense PMS, much heavier periods, though the space between them became longer until they stopped about a year ago. Stupid me, I thought this was "natural" and suffered through it without help! But then the hot flashes started, so I went to my doctor, who put me on the cream. She said that the progesterone would have helped me earlier in relieving some of the symptoms I had. You may want to adjust the amount of cream you are using, or even take a rest from using it for a few days.

If your symptoms continue, you might want to get checked out by a doctor. She might suggest esteriol cream or testosterone cream, or make you up some bio-identical hormones, either via a compounding pharmacist or through Women's International Pharmacy.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Thanks, Ayesha :)

I haven't had insurance for 10 years, nor have I really dealt with the medical community since the incident 10 years ago (I work with physicians, but I don't go to them as a patient...lol). I'm blessed in that I'm healthy and focus on preventive care.

I can't imagine going through a barrage of labs and such that a doctor would automatically require. The expense would be brutal.

I've emailed the naturopath where I purchased the cream; hopefully she'll respond soon. There's always so much conflicting information online nowadays that sometimes it's more harmful to Google than not. I know I'll get direct experiential advice here. :)

Thanks again!

:grouphug:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Naturopaths are a good way to go

we have one on staff at the Foundation (where costs are kept as low as possible--one thing I love about working here is it is a true place of healing and compassion).

[OneGrassRoot]

6. It sounds like you are in a supportive environment.....

which is wonderful considering the challenges you face right now. I'm glad you have support around you, physically and emotionally.

The naturopath said this is very common, especially since it's brownish, not bright red spotting. She suggested using it as directed for a few months and, more than likely, things will normalize then.

I am also very blessed in that, when I am having a health issue, I do tend to respond rather quickly and get back into balance.

One of my greatest wishes now is to find a local chiropractor with whom I could trade services. Chiropractic treatment is DEFINITELY on my wish list. That would help tremendously.....

Have a nice evening. :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

2. Here's

a helpful thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=270x30

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thank you! :)

:hug:

OMG, that thread is so funny! We have to laugh about these things or we'd go insane for sure. :)

[Delphinus]

7. You can also try the Women's Forum group

here on DU.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. Wow, I haven't really checked out the myriad groups here at DU....

there are a ton! Thanks, Delphinus! :)

[tanyev]

8. I tried progesterone cream and it made me spot, too.

Since my original problem was heavy bleeding, I stopped using it after that happened.

[Silver Gaia]

9. I had the same problem with it.

I tried to use it to combat severe hot flashes that were knocking me for a loop.

I was probably further along into menopause, and my monthlies had been gone for several months at the time, but as soon as I used the progesterone cream, they came back (with a vengeance). This happened every time I tried it, and with several different brands over a period of a few months. So, I decided I couldn't use it, and would just have to weather it out. (I decided I'd rather have the hot flashes than flooding!)

I'm happy to report that it is possible to make it through without it, and that there is an end to the misery. :) However, your mileage may vary. ;) I realize that my experience is my own and unique to me. Others may have quite different experiences. It DOES work well for some women. But since you asked us to share our own personal experiences, there you go, for whatever it's worth. I found it better for me to just let nature take her course, and it was actually all over rather quickly.

I hope you find some relief from these symptoms soon, OGR! :hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Thank you, tanyev and Silver Gaia :)

I do appreciate you sharing your experiences, very much. :)

I'm not overly miserable with the PMS (perhaps it's more that I'm simply used to it), so if this spotting lasts for more than a cycle or two, I'll surely discontinue the progesterone.

I recall it helped before, but we certainly change over time and our bodies react differently.

I've had a period since I was 10, so PMS is rather second nature to me since my natural cycle has always been every 21 days (and my iron has never been low!). I've always said that I will miss my period, as I view it as a very cleansing experience. I don't look forward to menopause at all, truth be told, but everyone says I'll love it once I'm through the worst of it.

Even though I don't mind having a period, I have noticed the PMS increasing, specifically cramps and mood intensity, so I'm giving this a shot. :) No doubt I'm perimenopausal (heck, they say that's the period 10 years before and after menopause, so it would seem we're perimenopausal much of our lives! lol).

Nice to hear so many do fine without any supplements of any sort.

Thanks for sharing!

:grouphug:

[Silver Gaia]

13. I can relate...

I also began my menses at the age of 10, and was regular like clockwork most of my life. Perimenopause was actually much harder on me than the actual process of menopause (extreme hot flashes being the worst part of that). Perimenopause started for me at around the age of 38 or 39, and was horrible. Hellacious mood swings, irritability, sometimes depression, cramps, flooding. It lasted for well over 10 years, and got progressively worse. During most of that time, I often said I felt like I had cobwebs wrapped around my brain. Seriously. Menopause itself was easy by comparison. It only lasted about a year and a half or so. Hang in there! I thought I'd miss it, too, but I don't. Not at all. It really is good once it's all over. The cobwebs are gone! :D YAY!

:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Oh, yes, the cobwebs.......

if that will lift, life will indeed be beautiful!!! :)

Sadly, I can't remember the cobwebs not being there....lololol. Glad you're well and don't miss it.

:hug:

[Why Syzygy]

14. I always felt it was very cleansing too

and I missed my cycles terribly. I've gotten used to it, but the grand prize is lost on me.

[OneGrassRoot]

16. ...

I think that will be hard for me...such a huge change as that. The one reliable thing in life for the past 35 years. ;)

I'm probably quite a ways away from actual menopause, but the process must be upon me, even if it's 10 years away, as Silver Gaia went through.

Sorry no grand prize. If you discover it one day, please share. :)

:hug:

[tanyev]

18. Can't wait for menopause, won't miss my period a bit.

In fact, tomorrow morning I'm having an endometrial ablation. Wish me luck! Since my problem is fibroids, I probably won't see as good a result as some women do, but if it just makes the periods lighter, I'll be a happy camper.

[Shallah Kali]

12. A couple of threads here as ASAH might be useful

Menopause As An Earth Changing Experience - 2012, hot flashes, kundalini, metamorphosis

The above has links to the article I quoted in the thread title plus some links to nautral/complimentary resources related to perimenopause that might be useful like Susun Weed's Wise Woman Forum.


MAP Coning - Medical Assistance Program

The MAP conings are very useful for back issues esp. if you are like me and can't find a chiro or osteopath who doesn't make me worse after than before. *really* woowoo, usually takes a bit for it to work but it works and my neck doesn't feel like it was half broken after.

[OneGrassRoot]

17. Wow!!! A treasure chest.....

Thanks so very, very much, Shallah!

Awesome!

:hug:

[Avalux]

19. Don't use it every day of the month -

use it about 14 days before you start menstruating and stop the day before or when you start. You'll use it about half the month. This is what I do and it works well for me; I'm 43 and noticed over the past year or so my PMS symptoms were getting worse. Also notice a marked fatigue right around the time I ovulate.

It all has to do with ovulation. women normally secrete estrogen and progesterone when they ovulate. However women who are pre-menopausal may not be excreting enough progesterone, creating an imbalance and estrogen dominance. Progesterone cream restores the balance but if overdone and there's progesterone dominance, bleeding occurs.

:hi: