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Estrogen Dominant or Progesterone Deficient?

by Amy H.
(Palmdale, Ca, USA)

I am 38, have two children and normal weight. My normal periods are 7 days, 4 heavy, 3 light/spotting. I have always had cramping, lower back ache, and mittleschmerz.

About a year and a half ago my periods started to get longer, heavier, eventually huge clots. Two weeks, three weeks, then everyday. It was so heavy I was bleeding through ultra tampons and an ultra pad every 45 minutes. The Dr. put me on various dosages of birth control pills, but nothing worked. I was advised to take iron sulfate supplements to avoid anemia. I was also then only allowed to use the pads. The Dr. wanted me to try the Mirena or the Depo shot, but I refused because I had previously had the implants, and had them removed after 3 years due to the awful side effects.

I had a vaginal ultrasound done and the Dr. told me I had a very tiny fibroid, but because it was so small and was in the uterine muscle it was not the cause of the bleeding. He put me on Wellbutrin for the depression per my request. I went to get my hair cut for the holidays, gushed when I got to the counter, went home changed, was determined so I used the ultra tampon and pad, went to another salon, and ended up bleeding all over the stylists chair, just after a trim and not even a wash. I was mortified. The bleeding was so bad I dropped out of my online classes, was missing a ton of work and couldn't even accomplish daily activities. I was depressed and crying all the time.

My life was being run by menstrual cycle. I couldn't have anything that contained alcohol or aspirin. The bleeding continued so the Dr. did a D&C in 12/09. The following week the bleeding continued and I couldn't focus, drive, or take care of my children (luckily they are 16 and 12 and pretty self sufficient), and was just plain exhausted. I had gone to the post office, was the second in line and had to sit down cause I was going to pass out and throw up. I had someone take me to urgent care and they sent me to the hospital to have a blood transfusion (2 bags). My CBC said my hemoglobin was 6.2 and I was severely dehydrated. My original Dr. referred me to the Hospital (teaching hospital) for a hysterectomy. They schedule another ultrasound and put me on provera. I really didn't want to take it but did anyway until my records were transferred & ultrasound results came in. Thankfully the bleeding has stopped.

I stopped taking ibuprofen and started taking iron chloride per an RN. My next appointment the Dr. wanted to put me back birth control pills. I refused and also told her I didn't want to take the provera anymore as it was making me moody, depressed and weepy. I asked her about natural progesterone. She didn't have a clue. She told me my fibroid was small, but in my uterine cavity. I advised her of what the last Dr. told me and asked for a sonohysterogram (which was suggested when the head of the ultrasoud department did my last vaginal ultrasound). The Dr. said it wasn't necessary. I insisted and she consulted another Dr. who agreed and requested it rushed to determine exactly where the fibroid is. This is scheduled for 7/26/10. He also scheduled a preop appointment for a myectomy to remove the fibroid on 08/05/10.

I started the Kokora bioidentical progesterone cream on 07/07/10. It's 1020mg in a 2oz jar. I started out using 1/8tsp (10.5) twice a day in a rotation between my neck, chest, breasts, inner thighs, inner arms, behind my knees, the thin skin on my feet. My breasts became supper tender and sore, I am tired, craving carbs like crazy and bloated. So I increased to 1/4tsp (21mg) twice a day, plus I also rub some additional on my breasts as I have read to do to alleviate the tenderness. I am still having the same symptoms. From what I have read, these symptoms could be from either estrogen dominance or too much progesterone. So I don't know which to do, increase or decrease? Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments for Estrogen Dominant or Progesterone Deficient?

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Jul 23, 2010
 Estrogen Dominant or Progesterone Deficient?
by: Wray

Hi Amy You've been through a tough time! You needed progesterone and nothing but progesterone. Not the pills, implants, IUD's etc, for more info on what these do please see our page on Contraceptives. 21mg is not going to touch sides, you need a minimum of 400mg/day. I say this as I've helped numerous women with heavy, continual bleeding which has resolved. Oestrogen is a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, vital once a month to stimulate the endometrium each month to grow and thicken ready for a possible fertilised egg. But too much and the lining builds excessively. Matrix metalloproteinases (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. If they are over active, as would be the case with an excess of oestrogen in the body, (oestrogen stimulates it?s production), the result is a pathological reaction such as inflammation and excessive bleeding. Progesterone suppresses MMP's. It?s only when progesterone levels drop at the end of the cycle that the MMP?s can get to work and breakdown the lining causing our monthly bleed. But with oestrogen continually stimulating more lining, and low progesterone, bleeding continues. If any pain is experienced it's caused by prostaglandins, these cause uterine muscles to cramp. The same cramps we get with child birth. Oestrogen is an excitatory, pro-inflammatory hormone, progesterone is an anti-inflammatory. It suppresses oestrogen, MMP's and prostaglandins, which is why we don't bleed or have uterine contractions during pregnancy. And why we shouldn't have any pain when we bleed once a month. This only occurs when progesterone drops too low in ratio to the oestrogen. The symptoms you are experiencing now are caused by progesterone stimulating oestrogen. To prevent this a large amount is needed, to make progesterone the dominant hormone. Please see our page on Oestrogen Dominance. Please consider increasing to the amount I've suggested, believe me it does work. You need to get a stronger progesterone cream, as the one you have will be finished in 2 1/2 days! Fibroids are caused by excess oestrogen too, please read our page them. Take care Wray
Sep 22, 2010
 Estrogen Dominant
by: Anh

I am sure your estrogen is imbance. Watch out the cream that you used to see what contain in there. You can check at this webside www.fibroid101.com
I used to have heavy period, after few months using their nutrion my period is very normal.

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