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How Does Progesterone Finally Overcome Estrogen Dominance?

by Brenda

First I'd like to thank you for stepping outside the box to help yourself and others to find a better quality of life. I'm an RN and a natural health consultant. I get excited when I see others finding ways and methods of healing that have been overlooked or dismissed by the mainstream.

Natural progesterone therapy is a fairly new realm for me. I'm almost 49 years old and about 5 years ago started becoming aware of the very prevalent estrogen dominance issue on this planet. However, I did not really start looking into progesterone therapy until recently as my specialty is detoxification and digestive healing. As I step further into the world of hormones I see more and more how toxicity and digestive issues intricately wrapped around hormone issues.

I feel I have been estrogen dominant since the age of 15. Stressful childhood, drinking alcohol starting at around the age of 14 followed by more chaos as the years progressed. I finally cleaned up my act about 20 years ago and went on to open my own detoxification and digestive healing business.

I started using progesterone cream about 8 weeks ago using about 200mg per day. After a couple of days of continual headaches and nausea, things improved. Moods much better, deeper sleep, better skin. Up until I started using the cream I had a 28 day cycle. I chose to use the cream continuously as I didn't use the cream on the first day of the first period and got extremely agitated. By that night I was desparate and used it with much relief. I've since had one more period (24 days later) and used straight through and had a lighter shorter period with less PMS symptoms prior to its onset.

I retain a lot of water all month long, for years now, since my twenties but much more so in my forties, and other lab work has shown no serious conditions causing the water retention. I had two children in my late 30's and retained huge amounts of water, especially with the first pregancy. I've been diagnosed with adrenal exhaustion on and off per saliva testing by a naturally inclined MD, and I take about 2.5mg Cortef twice daily for 3-6 months at a time for about 10 years on and off during stressful times. I've currently been back on the Cortef since November. The progesterone really helps me to sustain a more even energy pattern. I haven't gained any weight while using the progesterone cream but haven't lost any water weight. I've been quite puffy for about 2 years now and will have wild weight swings from day to day of 1-3 pounds. Breasts will gain 2 inches from morning to noon. Crazy. I know it takes time, 3-6 months. 8 weeks later with no water weight loss is discouraging but I'll continue to hope. I take other supplements to support my system, blood sugar balancers neurotransmitter support, etc. Many are the same as what you recommend. I agree with your recommendations.

Two questions:

1) What is your stance on continuous use of progesterone cream at around 200mg per day possibly causing progesterone receptor sites to become desensitized?

2) I have some difficulty understanding how the dormant estrogen receptors sites that are activated by progesterone don't cause a perpetual state of estrogen dominance. At what point does the progesterone finally get a chance to become dominant? If the progesterone is continually activating the dormant sites, does at some point the level of progesterone get high enough that this stimulation of estrogen receptors no longer causes issue, or do the estrogen receptor sites finally ALL get turned on completing that process thus allowing progesterone to get a stronghold? In other words, how is the balance finally achieved where progesterone wins? ;)

Any insight into these matters would be most appreciated. Thanks again Wray. Much love and peace.

Comments for How Does Progesterone Finally Overcome Estrogen Dominance?

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Mar 05, 2011
 How Does Progesterone Finally Overcome Estrogen Dominance?
by: Wray

Hi Brenda Firstly apologies for the late reply, I'm inundated with queries from our web site. I'd be only too delighted if you would chip in and help! Assuming the progesterone finally helps you. And bless you for the kind words, luckily my brother and I had an eccentric father, grandfather too, who thought out of the box. Besides I'm not affiliated to any governing body, who I'm sure would have struck me off their register by now! You are so right about the intricacy between hormone issues and detoxification. For instance excess oestrogen causes cholestasis, with a blocked liver no one can detox! See here, here, here, here, here, here and here. I have more work to do on progesterone, but this paper shows it increases bilary output of choelsterol, see here. I'm delighted you used a high amount to begin with, I find it hard to persuade people it's the only thing which will help, a low dose merely ramps up the oestrogen. You are now in Peri-menopause, which can be difficult, it was for me. I chose to use it daily too, as my symptoms came back if I took the customary break after bleeding. I continued to do so, which meant I didn't forget to start it at ovulation, plus it made the menopause transition smooth. Interesting about the adrenal exhaustion, it doesn't surprise me, if as you say you've been oestrogen dominant since 15. This implies a lack of progesterone. I've found this above all else the best for stressed adrenals. These first make progesterone in the cortex, they then convert it into cortisol. If stressed this sequence is compromised, so the adrenals rob ovarian progesterone. This is turn plays havoc with our reproductive functions. Plus progesterone blocks the aldosterone receptors. As you know aldosterone causes sodium retention, which in turn causes water retention. If you lack progesterone, I would hazard a guess it's correcting the adrenal dysfunction first. It's impossible to tell which system the body regards as the most in need. I'm running out of space, so will start a new comment. It'll appear below this one. Take care Wray
Mar 05, 2011
 How Does Progesterone Finally Overcome Estrogen Dominance?
by: Wray

Hi again Brenda Progesterone is an excellent diuretic, so good it's now given via IV transfusion to brain trauma victims. It prevents the oedema and inflammation that does the damage, see here, here, and here. I haven't seen a problem yet caused by desensitised progesterone receptors, and that's with over 15 years of advising. Unfortunately the web is full of forums warning about saturating the fatty layer! This is an essential part of the progesterone pathway, see here. I think a high amount is only necessary as long as the problem persists. Once it's been resolved, I see no point in continuing, apart from the cost! I've had women using 400-600mg/day for several months, as each time they try to reduce, their symptoms come back. Usually within the 3 to 6 months they can begin reducing slowly. It also depends on the problem, for instance I've found 500mg/day is needed if endometriosis is severe. This will take several weeks, if not months to heal. Severe, heavy, continual bleeding requires 400-600mg/day, once under control it's pointless staying at that amount. The interplay between hormones, neurotransmitters, and other messenger systems is so complex, I wish I knew more! Progesterone does activate the oestrogen receptors, but the converse also occurs. So ironically when first using progesterone and a low amount, people generally feel awful. But when using oestrogen they feel good! But there comes a point when progesterone does become dominant and they start to feel well. And as with oestrogen, they begin to feel worse. So the script is changed repeatedly, until the woman stops using it, or as in many women I know, they become inured to the effects. When progesterone becomes dominant is difficult to say, but I have found the more oestrogen a woman, or man has, the longer it takes, and the worse the Oestrogen Dominance. I have found that a lack of vitamin D has a profound effect on us, as it influences every cell. The TBI studies found it increased the benefits of progesterone. See here. love and peace to you too! Take care Wray
Jan 12, 2014
 Application of Natpro.
by: Bill

I am confused as to the amount to use. How do you determine/measure what is a 100mg amount for example of cream, when you dispense from the tube?
Nov 15, 2014
 This is my question too...
by: Natasha M. (Florida)

I am 30 years old with only one ovary left. And I also suspect that Ive had estrogen dominance probably since 12 years old. I've always struggled with the water retention thing, depression and lack of energy. Then around 15 years old I started developing severe panic attack episodes til I was about 24 years old. So Ive have only been taking progesterone cream for about 5 monthes straight and I just last month I stopped taking the cream for 2 days to allow my cycle to start but it almost feels like I'm struggling to feel normal again after I stopped for 2 days. My energy feels sluggish again and I'm so moody and emotional. I feel like I'm at the point where I just dont want to stop at all because I feel so horrific if I stop. It drives me crazy that I don't have a natural doctor I can't afford it right now. The only thing that gives me any type of hope or support is this website. Thank you Wray for having such a wonderful place to inform all women out there that are dealing with this. And in my case I am going to continue applying 320 mg-360 depending on my symptoms because lowering my dose doesn't seems to be an option for me right now. So I do get a bit overwhelmed thinking about how long do I need to keep at this high dose.
Nov 21, 2016
 Month 2 on creme and WAIST IS EXPANDING
by: Anonymous

I'm 56 and by labs confirmed: POSTMENOPAUSE> had a partial hyst at 37 with both ovaries retained. Since post menopause, I have met a complete decline in sex drive, weight gain of 10lbs I can't get rid of inspite of always being disciplined in both diet and exercise, night sweats, urinary problems including 2 uti's in the past 6 months along with vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence, male-like facial hairs, tiredness and laziness.

2 months ago decided to go on Mountain Naturals progesterone cream which I calculated is only 6 mg per day at the dose they recommend. My urinary symptoms and hot sweats have improved, however, my belly and weight gain is worse than ever and I am tired all the time and my sex drive is lower than ever. What should I do?
Nov 29, 2016
 O estrogen dominance
by: A Maria

How long on progesterone before it starts balancing out. I'm on day 8 supplementing, and my ED symptoms are through the roof. Horrible. 😩 Taking pro cream vaginally daily. My estrogen levels are low but my progesterone levels are non existence... assuming due to hashinotis and adrenal fatigue. Help PLEASE. Amy
Feb 12, 2017
 DES
by: Anonymous

Very few sites address this issue. I am a baby from the 50's and my mother was given DES during her pregnancy with me- which month she is not sure. But I know I have been estrogen dominant from the time I started my periods- as they were extremely painful, huge clots with bleeding that saturated everything! I did find a site that called DES an endocrine disrupter that somewhat corresponds to BPA. I've had a hysterectomy at 40 with fibroids in and out of the uterus along with one ovary. The other stopped working immediately. As in my menustrating day- hormone therapy made me a raving lunatic. All my hormones that have been tested are low except estrogen and I don't feel well as I also hardly ever sleep. I'm taking about 100mg of progesterone otc and soon to be taking 200 mg of progesterone and pregnenolone. I also take DIM and a supplement - forget the name - to help rid my liver of the extra estrogen and help the good part of it. Any thoughts to help me? Thank you!
Jan 28, 2022
 Lipidemia
by: Anonymous

Is there anyway that progesterone could help with lipidemia…. I pms very bad wondering if estrogen dominate… 67 and suffering from lipidemia and wondering if it’s caused from estrogen dominance….. eat plantbased diet exercise 1 hour a day trying to get this all figured out. Thank you!
Jan 30, 2022
 Lipidemia
by: Joy

​Hi there

Not much has been posted on Lipidemia on this website, but you might like to read this page. Perhaps you will find something that will help you on this website see here.

Apart from what Wray has already advised and how to use progesterone etc and based on information just given to you, leads me to conclude that progesterone therapy would be a good route to take. You can only benefit and progesterone is vital for most of our modern day illness.

Take care.

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