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Am I doing this right?

by Desiree
(Kansas, USA)

I'm 26 years old. I have a 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. I suffered horribly with Postpartum depression after the birth of my son. I had frequent crying spells and felt as though the world was crushing in on me despite having nothing to be depressed about. I struggled for a year to get my periods back to normal. Now they are regular but I have terrible PMS. Breast tenderness, ravenous appetite, blue moods and irritability just to name a few. I first tried natural progesterone cream back in November of 2012 when my PMS symptoms hung over into menstruation and a few days past. I was thrilled with how quickly I experienced relief! I felt wonderful, almost euphoric even (no complaints there). I was using a quarter of a teaspoon twice a day on my belly, thighs and breasts. I then ran out of that kind and tried a new cheaper alternative. Dropping to about 1/4 teaspoon once a day on my face. I felt really well for 3 months, I had more energy, very few pms symptoms and was glad to be alive. But whoa, right after I ovulated (or believe I ovulated) this month the same old symptoms washed over me like a title wave. It started out with hot flashes and night sweats, then the panic attacks! Two days after my period ended I had the worst depressive episodes I've ever had in my life! Crying unstoppably and even had some suicidal thoughts. What am I doing wrong here? I am now 6 days past my period and I still feel off. I switched back to the old cream and am now using the 1/4 teaspoon twice daily again but I'm not experiencing the same results. What should I do differently? I feel like I'm going insane :(

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Mar 24, 2013
 Am I doing this right?
by: Wray

Hi Desiree You don't say how much progesterone you were using, unfortunately 1/4tsp doesn't help me. But taking a guess you were getting 20mg/day progesterone, 40mg/day when using it twice. Both these amounts are far too low. I'm glad it initially helped you, it can do that, but then Oestrogen Dominance hits. Progesterone stimulates oestrogen, so far more than the 20-40mg/day you are using is needed to overcome this. We do have a few pages on some of your symptoms, please take a look at Hormone Balance, Breast Tenderness, this can sometimes be caused by high Prolactin, and How to use progesterone cream. I had PND too, and like you had nothing to be depressed about. Although you are not pregnant now, please take a look at two pages we have which covers PND, Pregnancy and this page here. We also have a page on Anxiety which explains panic attacks. I feel you will need at least 200mg/day, possibly 400mg/day progesterone. You mentioned cost as a factor, please take a look at this page here to compare prices. This page here has more info. Please consider taking some of the nutrients mentioned on the anxiety page too, it takes the strain off progesterone. And finally please have a vitamin D test done. A lack not only reduces the benefits of progesterone but causes depression. Take care Wray
Mar 25, 2013
 Thank You!
by: Anonymous

I was amazed to read some of these articles and see that so many of the symptoms I've suffered with for the last 3 years come back to insufficient progesterone levels including inability to breastfeed due to a lack of enough breast milk, unexplained anxiety, insomnia, itchiness and not being able to concentrate to save my life just to name a few of the possibly 50 or more odd symptoms that I've had. I am relieved to see a ray of hope now in getting these problems under control. I have placed orders for the supplements that may also aid in my "recovery". Thank you so much for your help. I just have one more concern, should I continue using the cream from now until my next period or should I stop and then begin again using the 100-200mg a day after ovulation? The cream I have has 20mg per 1/4 teaspoon.
Mar 26, 2013
 Thank You!
by: Wray

Hi there It appears you must have had a child about 3 years ago, am I correct? If this is so I would say you have PND. Although this page is about Pregnancy, it does go into PND, as does this page here. If I'm right, you will definitely need the supplements too, all of which are listed on our Anxiety page. The amounts suggested are needed too, those found in capsules will not be sufficient. I always feel it's better to get rid of symptoms first, then get the cycle going again. So progesterone should be used daily, through any bleeding for at least 2-3 months, or until stable, before attempting to follow the cycle. You will need at least 400mg/day progesterone, with 50 or more symptoms, nothing less will touch sides. Which means you will need to use 25ml/day with the cream you have, or 5 teaspoons per day. Let me know how you get on. Take care Wray
Mar 29, 2013
 Oh my goodness.
by: Anonymous

It's 1:25 am here and after an hours sleep I've woken up with severe anxiety and a racing heart. I've been trying to use 100 mg of the cream per day as this is all I can afford. I don't know what I should do, if only 400 mg a day will help should I just quit using it since it's only triggering my estrogen receptors? I felt better for two days and thought alright! I'm getting this under control again. But, now I'm two days from ovulation and from what I've read my estrogen levels must be sky rocketing. I feel so hopeless and alone. And I fear another overwhelming crying spell coming on. I've read a bit about vaginal application. Do you think this could be the answer? I do appreciate you taking time to answer my questions! Thank you so much.
Mar 30, 2013
 Oh my goodness.
by: Wray

Hi Desiree If it is you, you are using too little. You will need more, but I'm not sure what else to suggest if you can't afford more. Vaginal application is good, but so is the skin which benefits from the progesterone. It is essential to get your vitamin D up high too, as a lack of this reduces the benefits of progesterone. Have you managed to have a test done yet? Are you taking any? Please do a cost comparison with the cream you are using by looking at our page here. You might find you can afford more. You are right about ovulation, oestrogen does surge about 50 hours prior, so too should progesterone. If you are feeling a crying spell coming on then it's evident you are not getting that surge. So please apply more. You say you've bought the supplements I recommend, these should help you. But it is progesterone you need too. I wish I could help further, the only thing I can suggest is doing our questionnaire, you'll find the link top right of every page. This gives a once off discount of 30% on any amount of tubes if you do it. Take care Wray

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