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Advice for Fibroids

by TH
(California)

I am 42 years old and was diagnosed with fibroids about 4 years ago and until about a year ago everything was normal. August of last year, my periods started to get heavier and my doctor put me on a low dose of natural progesterone cream (about 36mg per day). I did not use the cream during my period. I took it for about 5 months and there was a slight difference in my period but not much. He took me off the cream for about a month and my period got worse. When I told him that my period got worse, he then increased amount to about 72mg per day. I found your website April 2012 and started taking 1/4 tsp of Natpro 2 times a day June 2012. I've noticed a slight difference in my period but the 1st 2 days are still very heavy. It's so heavy that by day 2 I am very weak due to losing so much blood. I am now on day 11 and I'm still spotting very dark colored blood even though my cycle should be done. I'm taking vitamin D3 and vitamin B and am very mindful of the type of foods I eat. Do I need to increase the Natpro so the spotting will stop? Also I've had a history of low iron levels and currently taking an iron supplement prescribed by my doctor. I noticed that you recommended taking a organic form of iron, can you recommend a brand to take? I was taking Hemaplex by Progressive labs but it didn't keep my iron levels up like the iron my doctor prescribed.
My ultimate desire is for the fibroids to shrink by using the progesterone cream because my doctor is asking me to consider uterine artery embolisation (UAE). My main focus now is get my periods back to normal. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Comments for Advice for Fibroids

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Aug 06, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: Wray

Hi TH Fibroids can be difficult, it depends so much on how large they've grown. They are caused by oxidative stress, so large doses of antioxidants are needed too, progesterone alone won't help. I've found with any heavy bleeding at least 400mg/day is needed, this would be 12ml of Natpro, or 2.5 tsp per day. It also helps to take at least 2000mg/day NAC (N-acetyl cysteine). The MMPs cause the bleeding, and progesterone and NAC inhibit them. There's more info about this on our Menstruation page. Are you taking enough vitamin D, the minimum dose should be 5000iu's per day. It's a potent antioxidant and studies have found it does reduce fibroid growth, see here, here, here and here. The best form of iron is chelated to an amino acid, LEF is a very good brand. But if you find the one your doctor is giving you good, I think you should stick to that. Please consider having a vitamin D test done, it could be your level is too low. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Aug 07, 2012
 Advice for fibroids
by: Anonymous

Wray, thank you so much for the information. Just so you know the spotting ended on day 14 and I am now at day 18. Should I increase the Natpro from 1/4 tsp to 2 1/2 tsp right away or gradually?

I plan to have my vitamin D checked this week so I will let you know the results. Thank you again!
Aug 18, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: Wray

Hi there Sorry about the delay in replying, but I went to a remote area with no internet access.
I'm pleased the info helped. If you do increase the progesterone it should be done right away and not gradually. I've found this can cause Oestrogen Dominance symptoms to occur. But it seems the 80mg/day you are currently using has helped, in which case there's no need to increase it. But if you're concerned the heavy bleeding will still occur, please increase to the 2.5 tsp. And I would be interested in hearing the results of your vitamin D test. Take care Wray
Aug 30, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: TH

Hello Wray,
Thank you so much for your help! I received my lab work and my Vitamin D level is 88ng/ml. It was 32ng/ml about 6 months ago so I am very pleased. My last cycle was still a bit heavy the first 2 days but overall it seemed a little better. I did continue to use the Natpro through my period but I am still spotting dark brown blood about 3-4 days after the regular flow stopped. In addition, I did increase the Natpro to 1tsp a day on day 15 but I noticed after my period that I have some oestrogen dominance symptoms (anxiety, light headedness, heart palpatations, blurry vision). I stopped for 1 day and found some relief. Any suggestions on what to do to feel normal again?
Aug 31, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: Wray

Hi TH That is a good level! I'm so pleased and it will begin helping now. The 32ng/ml was far too low, even if it is just above the 'adequate' level the FDA propose. The dark brown blood is old blood that hadn't been shed in previous periods, so it's a good thing. But I'm delighted the bleeding seems to be getting better and is not so heavy. It could fluctuate over the coming cycles, but it's nothing to worry about, it takes time for things to settle down. Adverse symptoms are caused by an unbalanced ratio between the two hormones. You'll have to play around with the amount that suits you during the follicular phase. If the reduction helped, and you don't have any bad symptoms, continue using that amount. But if you do still have them, you'll have to increase the amount to overcome them. Progesterone drops to it's lowest level just prior to bleeding, and continues to be low until the 50 hours prior to ovulation, when the brain sends out a surge. Oestrogen is low too, although often not as low as progesterone, which is why so many get bad symptoms during bleeding too. But it begins rising again about 4 days after bleeding stops. It can rise quite fast, it varies in each individual. So using progesterone during the follicular phase requires judging this, and applying the cream accordingly. Interestingly if women don't have the surge of progesterone prior to ovulation, the oestrogen peak, which also occurs then, results in very bad symptoms. If I haven't covered your queries, please come back to me. Take care Wray
Sep 15, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: TH

Wray, thank you for the information. This past week I had a challenging time. A week ago today I was feeling very week and had heart palpitations. In addition, I found that when I used used the creme I was very anxious and did not feel myself. I basically spent the weekend in bed thinking that I needed to rest. By Monday I started feeling a little better and the next day I started my period. The first 2 days of my period were very heavy and I was very week. I went to the doctor to see if my iron level had dropped causing me to feel week. She was able to check my hemoglobin and it was 14.1 but I'm still waiting for the rest of the results. By the 3rd day of my period I stopped taking the creme thinking that maybe I just need to stop using the creme during my period and and resume by on or around day 15. After I stopped taking it, I felt much better, almost back to my normal self. I'm on day 4 and my period about where it would be normally. Any suggestions on what I need to do to make sure I don't go through this again? Should I start using the creme by day 15 and not use it during my period? Thanks Wary!
Sep 15, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: Wray

Hi TH The palpitations are caused by excess oestrogen. Oestrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. This indicates you're not using enough progesterone. Interestingly a lack of progesterone also causes weakness, or myopathy, see here and here. Unfortunately the first paper doesn't have an abstract, so I bought it and will paste the relevant part..... "We report about a 41-year old woman who was suffering from a general muscle weakness since her early childhood....From July 1998 until July 1999 the patient was treated with progesterone suppositorium 0.4 g once a day from the 14th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle. In July 1999 her gait had improved significantly and she could get up from a chair more easily, even her ability to walk up and down stairs had improved....Progesterone dosage was increased from 400 mg to 600 mg. In January 2001 the patient reported enthusiastically about the improvement she had gained from progesterone-therapy. The patient reported a clear increase in strength in all affected muscle groups resulting in dramatic functional improvement" Continued below.
Sep 15, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids part 2
by: Wray

Hi TH And the Anxiety also indicates you're not using enough. Stopping it will make you feel better, as it stops stimulating oestrogen, but defeats the purpose. I suggested you tried the 400mg/day, as this generally stops the heavy bleeding. Although some women find they need more. It's also essential to take the NAC, in fact all the potent antioxidants are needed to stop the Inflammation in your uterus. Please consider taking them. By all means try following your cycle and see if that agrees with you. Let me know how you get with this route. Take care Wray
Oct 16, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: TH

Hello Wray,
Just wanted to give you an update. Since late August, I have not taken anymore progesterone cream. I could not take the weakness and anxiety symptoms. I'm feeling much better now. In fact, my health practioner advised me to take Shepherd's purse to help with the heavy bleeding and it helped tremendously. My period was almost like normal. I'm scheduled to have the uterine artery embolization done next month to help shrink the fibroids. Do you have any information or advice regarding the procedure? Thank you for all the help and support you have given!
Oct 16, 2012
 Advice for Fibroids
by: Wray

Hi TH I'm sorry you couldn't put up with the symptoms, it does take time. But feeling as you did I quite understand! At least your vitamin D level is now high, so that should begin to help you, please keep it high too. I'm most intrigued about the Shepherd's Purse. Herbs have helped us for centuries, I love it when someone knows how to use them to help heal us. All too often it's a forgotten therapy. I've just discovered I have info about it on my computer, and it says it's used for heavy bleeding and heart problems too, amazing. I must remember that. I don't have any advice regarding the procedure, but you could look around this site here. It's run by Dr West who wrote an excellent book called 'The Hysterectomy Hoax'. Vitamin D drops with stress, so please take an extra large dose before the procedure, and one after it. Do let me know how you get on. Thanks so much for the kind words, considering I couldn't help you! Take care Wray

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