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Continuous Period on Progesterone

by Carol
(South Africa)

I am 52 and menopausal. My periods stopped about 8 months ago and I did not have a period for months. Then I started using Progesterone Cream without a break but started a period which didn't stop for weeks.

I eventually had to stop using the cream and have had no period since. I really believe that I should be using Progesterone, but do not want to have periods anymore. I suspect the dosage was not correct. The cream is 3% and I only used 2ml per day. I am pleased you do not recommend using extra Estrogen. It's confusing as many anti-aging experts recommend that one takes the lot - estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, progesterone, the works! Should we be tested for deficiencies or just take progesterone? Thank you for your help.

Comments for Continuous Period on Progesterone

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Jun 08, 2011
 Continuous period on progesterone
by: Eve

Are you having symptoms that would indicate you need progesterone or any hormone therapy? What are those symptoms. I agree with you. I don't believe it is wise to start throwing estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone just because. I have experienced many docs that want to do that right away. It's really hard to decipher what is doing what when you add a bunch of horomones all at the same time...not to mention I don't think it wise to add hormones that you don't need - it causes imbalance which is the very thing we are trying to undo/avoid.
Jun 16, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi again Carol Bleeding can be experienced if in the first year of menopause, and you should have been warned of this! The 8 months of no bleeding allows the little oestrogen you are now making to build up the lining. But with no progesterone, you won't bleed. MMP's are enzymes that break down protein. They play a role in the breakdown of endometrial tissues at the end of the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen stimulates MMP's. Progesterone suppresses both MMP's and oestrogen. It's only when progesterone levels drop at the end of the cycle that the MMP?s can get to work and break down the lining causing our monthly bleed. So starting progesterone as you have done, and with too low an amount too, bleeding has started again. I've found it only occurs once, rarely twice after menopause has started. But it's unusual for it to last so long. I have found 400mg/day progesterone is needed to stop heavy and/or continual bleeding. But for normal day to day use, I recommend 100-200mg/day. The worse the symptoms, the more is needed, so it is necessary to experiment with the amount. Not forgetting that stress drops progesterone levels, so more should be used to prevent the return of symptoms. We do have more info on our Menopause page. As for all the other hormones you mention, I don't believe we need them, particularly as they all have a dark side when used by women. See our page on HRT. Plus these papers on DHEA here, here and here. I'm running out of space, so will begin a new comment below. take care Wray
Jun 16, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Carol And these on testosterone here, here, here, here here, here, here, here and here. Not pretty reading! A test is of interest, but not essential. Before you consider increasing the amount, please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance. Finally please have a vitamin D test done, even in sunny South Africa I've found people have low levels. Pathcare do the test for about R200. For more info on vitamin D please see the Vitamin D Council and GrassrootsHealth websites. And please contact Joy, I gave you her web link in my previous reply. She will guide you well with both progesterone and vitamin D. Take care Wray
Jun 16, 2011
 Continuous period on progesterone
by: Wray

Once again Eve, many thanks for your advice! Take care Wray
Jun 16, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Carol

Hi Wray. Firstly, THANK YOU for the time you have taken to respond to my questions. You seem like an AMAZING person and your comments make perfect sense. I have looked for the link to Joy's website but cannot find it in your text. Please can you resend it. I am confused about how much Progesterone to take. You suggest 100 - 200mg per day - how is this measured? What is the strength of Progesterone in the tube of your product and how much do you take of it? I used a well known Progesterone Cream - 1ml of Progesterone cream which contains 30mg of bio-identical progesterone. How does this compare to your product? Thanks again for your wonderful website. How do people meet you?
Jun 24, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Carol Bless you for the kind words! Sorry about the confusion re Joy's website, I gave it on another page where you'd asked a similar question, see here. But I now gather from Joy that you've both made contact. She's a delight, wonderful sense of humour, so I know you're in good hands. Initially a kitchen measuring spoon is useful, but you soon get used to gauging how much without one. We do have comparisons of measures at the bottom of our page How to use progesterone cream. Natpro is a 3.3% cream, which means it contains 33.3mg per 1ml. So 3ml of cream will give you 100mg progesterone, 6ml will give you 200mg. I personally use about 170mg/day. But it does vary depending on how stressed I feel. I often top myself up by using it all over! As for meeting me, Joy can fill you in. Take care Wray
Jun 24, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Joy Lewis

Hi Carol - I do believe that we have been in contact this past week. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me via my website which Wray has provided above. I can then fill you in on Wray.

It will not take you long to get used to the amount that you must use, the most important thing is not to use anything less than 3ml per day and not all at once. Use half that dose in the morning and half again at night. This is to maintain your progesterone level. As Wray mentioned, it all depends on your symptoms and of course stress. The more stressed you are the more progesterone is needed.

I can assure you that once you start using progesterone cream, you will wonder why you hadn't discovered it sooner.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Joy
Jun 28, 2011
 Continuous Period on Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Joy Thanks for your support! Take care Wray
Apr 25, 2012
 Confused
by: Dona

Hi Wray,
Dont know if this is the right place to ask questions, I haven't seen many stories that answer my questions so need to ask you.
I am 52, finished menopause about 5 years ago, I had a partial hysterectomy when i was in my late 30's. It is hard to seperate what is what, an awful childhood, drug addiction (am now 12 years clean)and just a little nutty to boot. my life has been dominated by gynaecological issues (maybe my history contributed)I have psoriatic arthritis & Hep 'C' am gluten intolerant, and all that goes along with that! Recently i saw an iridoligist who said that I am incredibly low in collagen and progesterone, he gave me a naturopathic internal concoction amongst other things to assist.I decided to research the progesterone, I started using yam cream which started up "Hot flushes" and I began to feel depressed,also less sleep than I had already been getting which was very little to start with,very confusing response. I found your website and started using Natpro, I dont understand the measurements at all so just rub on about half a teaspoon twice a day. Trouble is, I can not sleep,between the yam cream and natpro, I am exhausted. What is going on? I still feel really quite flat in my mood ( I have not really been full of joy previously but at least I had some days when I felt happy) That is not the case now, I feel like I had gone through menopause years ago and now am back in it with hot flushes and depression again, could you please assist, thank you Wray,
Dona from Sydney.
Apr 27, 2012
 Confused
by: Wray

Hi Donna Any place on the web is a good place to ask questions. It's so interesting to me you first used a yam cream and your Hot Flushes started. That is exactly what happened to me, except the company made out it was a progesterone cream. I only discovered this when I phoned them, I was not amused! Luckily the progesterone cream did stop them, there's info on the link I've given you about how to use progesterone and what else can help. I have found 400mg/day is needed, you're using about 170mg/day at the moment, which is why they have not been helped. I'm pleased the iridologist recommended progesterone not oestrogen, which is often the case. Oestrogen does nothing for collagen, see here and here. We do have a chart on measurements right at the bottom of our page How to use progesterone cream. Natpro contains 33/3mg progesterone per ml of cream. So 400mg/day needs 12ml of cream or nearly 2 1/2 tsp. Progesterone is good for sleep, see here, here and here. Normally the amount you're using helps, but often more is needed initially. Plus when first using progesterone it does stimulate oestrogen, leading to Oestrogen Dominance. This explains your current symptoms. We also have more info on our Menopause page. I'm sorry to hear about your awful childhood, it doesn't surprise me you had a drug addiction. The amino acid tyrosine is essential for any stressful situation, cold, fatigue, emotional trauma, prolonged work, and sleep deprivation. Your level would always have been low growing up. Tyrosine is the precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, essential for motivation and vitality, for feeling joyful, low tyrosine means low dopamine. A lack of tyrosine can lead to addictions to tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and sugar or sugary foods. These substances raise dopamine levels. Simple as that. It can be more complicated, but I feel this is behind your troubles. Continued below.
Apr 27, 2012
 Confused Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Donna You appear stressed now, what with the psoriatic arthritis, Hep 'C', lack of sleep and gluten intolerance. Please consider taking some, there's more info on our page Natural Antidepressants. Apart from progesterone and tyrosine, you need vitamin D. It's often very low in Australia, with their daft policy of covering up when in the sun, nothing could be more dangerous to our health. Psoriasis and RA are often linked to low vitamin D levels, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Hep C too, see here, here here. And a lack of vitamin D negatively affects the gut, see here, here and here. Continued below.
Apr 27, 2012
 Confused Part 3
by: Wray

Hi Donna Finally the rate limiting step in dopamine synthesis is the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Insufficient levels of vitamin D inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase, resulting in a disturbance in the dopamine pathway. Please have a test done. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 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
Feb 14, 2013
 Bleeding every three weeks
by: Laura

Hi Wray,
When I first started bioidentical hormones, I was using estradiol every day and cycling progesterone 15 days a month. For the past 6 months, I haven't used any estrogen and only use progesterone daily 6 days a week. When I cycled I was having a regular period every 28-30 days. Now I seem to have some bleeding (only lasts 1-2 days) every 2-3 weeks. Does this mean I am not using enough progesterone? Or is it just the nature of perimenopause? I'm almost 51 and my last blood test 2 months ago showed FSH to only be at 18, telling me I'm still just perimenopausal.
Feb 16, 2013
 Bleeding every three weeks
by: Wray

Hi Laura I'm relieved you've stopped the oestrogen. But have no idea who would have told you to use the progesterone for 6 days with one day off! That's daft and would really upset the system. If there's a regular monthly cycle, it's best to use progesterone during the luteal phase to supplement our own supply. Unless symptoms are severe, in which case I recommend using it daily for 2-3 months or until stable, through any bleeding too. This ensures progesterone becomes dominant. Once in Peri-menopause which normally has very erratic cycles in the last ±2 years, I also recommend using it daily, as it's impossible to follow the cycle. And of course once in Menopause to use it daily as there is no cycle. I suggest 100-200mg/day progesterone, as in general I've found less only makes matters worse. It could of course be the oestrogen, used in a cyclic fashion, would have kept your periods regular. Now that you've stopped it, they are becoming more like the typical erratic cycles we have. In which case I would recommend using the progesterone daily. Take care Wray
Oct 18, 2013
 Progesterone Suppositories
by: Lynda

I have been post-menopausal for 15 years and using a 3-month vaginal estrogen ring and 100 mg daily dosage of a natural progesterone capsule for continued hot flashes/night sweats with no problems whatsoever. I recently switched to a nightly 100mg dosage progesterone suppository and started to experience cramping and how have a period. Pharmacist suggests that this is not uncommon as the dosage is probably too high due to different form of absorption. My doc won't adjust dosage. My doc until I see him asap. From reading posts, it appears that it is common for bleeding to occur when using suppositories. What is the recommended dosage for suppositories and how does an oral dosage compare to a vaginal dosage? Thanks. Lynda
Oct 21, 2013
 Progesterone Suppositories
by: Wray

Hi Lynda Your pharmacist is right about the absorption, not about the amount being too high. Oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system, "The liver and gut region removed a mean of 96 per cent of the progesterone entering these tissues", see here. Leaving very little to have any effect. Using a suppository or cream would mean you are getting the full amount of progesterone. This has activated oestrogen, hence the cramping, there's more info on our Oestrogen Dominance page. But it's also cleaned your uterus out, a good thing. You've been using oestrogen, this has caused the lining of your uterus to build up, the little progesterone you were taking would not have prevented this. There would have come a time when your doctor might notice you had endometrial hyperplasia, and said you need a D&C to remove it. The progesterone has done this for you, with slight discomfort. Please read our page on HRT about the effects of oestrogen. There's no recommended amount to use, it depends on symptoms. We do have a page on Hot Flushes, and a page on Menopause you could look through. Take care Wray
Oct 22, 2013
 Progesterone suppositories
by: Lynda

Thanks !! I just found out yesterday that I have polyps which more than likely caused the bleeding.
Lynda
Jan 15, 2018
 Balancing progesterone with estrogens
by: Nancy

I am 42 cycling 28 days but had multiple miscarriages because of low progesterone. I used progesterone, 1/2 teaspoon for 3 months during luteal phase only. My heavy periods became normal and hair fall stopped. Now my last cycle length is 33, as it was in my 20's, but had very light bleeding and lasted for only 2 days. I still have a very dry vagina and almost no sex drive.

Am I low in estrogens as well? I also used 1 pinch of biestrol cream once a day on skin for six days right after my periods. I had night sweats in the first three days then it decreased to very low sweating but I had light spotting today. I am horrified. I started the biestrol cream (1 pump has 1 mg of estriol usp and 0.25 mg of the estradiol usp). Am I on the right track?

Please help me as I want to have a baby and I need to balance my hormones and I also want to make sure my uterus is healthy to carry a baby. Please help as I dont have medical assistance in my country.
Jan 16, 2018
 Balancing progesterone with estrogens
by: Joy

Hi Nancy

I don't think that you are on the right track as no women needs to take extra estrogen. There are well over 100 estrogen mimics in our environment as it is, why take more? You are not using enough progesterone cream, between 100-200mg is needed, more if symptoms are severe. Progesterone is excellent for dryness when inserted in the vagina at night. If your night sweats do not clear you may need to use between 400-500mg progesterone cream for 4-6 days or until they clear.

You are also in Peri-Menopause, it can be a terrible time with irregular periods etc, please read the page on it. Progesterone will help if used correctly. You might also like to read the Pregnancy page.

Vitamin D3 is also very important, do you know what your level is? Optimal range is between 70-100ng/mL and nothing less than 5,000iu's is needed per day.

Please read these pages.

Peri-Menopause - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/peri-menopause.html#axzz2m6SW8qc0

Estrogen Dominance - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/estrogen-dominance.html#axzz3fNOYF0aj

How to use Progesterone Cream - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/how-to-use-progesterone-cream.html#axzz2mglwLvMr

Vitamin D3 - http://www.progesterone-info.com/benefits-of-vitamin-d-cholecalciferol.html

Environmental Toxins https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/environmental-toxins.html#axzz2vgTyB1vU

Pregnancy - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/progesterone-and-conception.html

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