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Continuous use of Progesterone?

by Melissa
(Perth, Australia )

Hi Wray,
I have started using progesterone cream recently due to spotting after ovulation (7 days before my period) and extremely bad period pain. I have been told I more than likely have endometriosis, however I don’t wish to investigate it further through laparoscopy (ultrasounds have come back fine). I was put on birth control pills at the young age of 13 due to having irregular periods. I’m 23 now and have been off birth control for 2 years. Ever since I got off birth control pills I have had spotting and painful periods, some months being better than others. After some investigation I decided to look into natural progesterone. I spoke to a man here in Perth, Australia from Lawley Pharmaceuticals who manufactures bio identical hormones. He believed that I most definitely had a progesterone deficiency. Anyway, long story short I bought some cream from the US and have just started using it. I am using around a teaspoon in the morning and a teaspoon at night which is a lot more than the recommended dose. I’m thinking about using the cream all through my cycles to begin with to give myself a bit of a break from the extreme pain and hopefully the spotting. Are you able to tell me if this is alright to do and if it will stop my period from coming?

-Mel

Comments for Continuous use of Progesterone?

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Sep 18, 2013
 Continuous use of Progesterone?
by: Wray

Hi Mel All drug based Contraceptives have the potential to harm. I've often found women struggle after they've stopped them. How sad you were given them to make your periods regular. They should be irregular for the first few years as the body adjusts to the surge of hormones. My daughter's didn't become regular until she was 18. I do recommend using progesterone daily, through any bleeding, for at least 2-3 months, or until stable. This ensures progesterone becomes the dominant hormone. If you do have Endometriosis it's caused by oxidative stress. Often a lack of vitamin D is behind it. You live in Australia so your level is probably low, please have a test done. I have found the pain in endo needs about 500mg/day progesterone. I don't know how much you're using as you say 1tsp morning and night. If it's the normal 1.6% strength, then you are getting about 160mg/day. This might be sufficient, but if not you'll have to increase it. I suggest rubbing it all over the cramping area when or if it starts. Oestrogen is an inflammatory hormone. It's the progesterone withdrawal just prior to giving birth, or the few days before our period, that allows oestrogen and the inflammatory cytokines to rise which initiate cramping or contractions, see here and here. Spotting shows your progesterone is dropping too soon, leaving oestrogen dominant, see our page on Oestrogen Dominance and Menstruation. It could be you have a defective luteal phase, there's more info on our Pregnancy page, and another here. I've found 400mg/day progesterone or more is required to stop bleeding. Take care Wray
Sep 18, 2013
 Seeing a difference
by: Melissa

Thanks for the good advice Wray. Just to let you know I've had my first period on the cream. I am absolutely amazed at the difference it's made in such a short time. I still had cramps however they were manageable. I was still able to go to work and I didn't have the horrible stomach upset that usually leaves me spending most of my day in the bathroom. For the first time I didn't have to sit in the bath for hours either. I will purchase some natpro cream for the next time to ensure I'm getting a high enough dose. I found rubbing the cream on the cramping area really helped, as you suggested. I will also go ahead and look into vitamin D.

Thanks again!
Sep 22, 2013
 Seeing a difference
by: Wray

Hi Melissa I'm delighted it helped you, and in such a short time. But please keep an eye open for oestrogen dominance. And yes, please have that vitamin D test done, so important. It'll make the progesterone more effective if it's high. Let me know how you get on. Take care Wray

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