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I think I am going to stop progesterone

by Chris
(Buffalo,NY)

I am now up to 600 mg of progesterone for the past week. 2000 mg of NAC. 10,000 IU of Vitamin D. I am still bleeding/spotting. It is actually worse since starting the progesterone 3-4 weeks ago.

I tried applying it hourly ( which I really have no time for). I have tried every 2 hours. I have tried 3 times a day. Nothing seems to be slowing and or stopping this nonsense. The only thing that is happening is I am now bleeding bright red and passing clots where before I started progesterone I was only spotting. I wasn't having gushes nor did I have to even wear a pad.

This is upsetting.

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Feb 26, 2014
 I understand
by: Lee Anne

Hi Chris,
I understand your frustration as I've been having close to the same symptoms as you since being on a high dose of progesterone.

My last "period," if I can even call it that, lasted almost 20 days. Yet, that was only half as bad as it was in the beginning.

However, I've hung in there because the benefits have FAR outweighed the risks. My mindset has had to be one of preparing for battle.

You too can strengthen your body to endure this very temporary glitch in your system. First of all, you need to keep your blood built up.

For this I use a concoction of B Vitamins with 5000mcg. of B12 (Superior Source)----daily
Red Raspberry leaf tea (which builds iron naturally)---3-4x a day---every day.
I eat liver at least 2-3x per week and plenty of red meat at least 4x a week.


Everyone is different, but search for what will get you over this hump and persevere. Try to stick to a set schedule with your progesterone use and stick to it no matter what.

I use 400mg. daily, continuously. I use 1/4 tsp.---every other hour on the dot, from 7:00 a.m. until bedtime. Then to help with sleep I use the last three 1/4 tsps. at once. Always alternating where I apply.

The first 3-4 months were a living nightmare, but by God's grace and mercy I'm almost on my sixth month now and feeling normal most of the time, which is nothing less than a miracle!!

So please be encouraged to endure by leaning on the mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ----our only true hope. God bless
Feb 27, 2014
 I think I am going to stop progesterone
by: Chris

I do take a women's multivitamin every day, now up to 3,000 NAC, 10,000 Vitamin D, plus just upped myself to 800mg progesterone which I apply 4 times a day ( 200mg each time). I am also waiting for my taurine and bioflavnoids to be delivered. I tried the PCO formula as my RE told me I have PCO tendencies.

I do not/will not eat organ meats. I am also not a huge fan of red meat. I will eat a few bites of it here and there but not religiously. I am, however, a big sucker for vegetables and try my best to eat the ones high in iron frequently.

I am not tired or weak. I am freezing all the time it seems. Of course, this winter has been extremely cold. I just bleed and cramp all the time. It seems like nothing slows it down. It just doesn't want to take a break.

I don't care to go to the doctor because all they want to do is poke and prod and give you synthetic man made crap or just remove your insides.

I am sure if I stick with it long enough it will pay off. I am just tired of blood and clots already!
Feb 27, 2014
 I think I am going to stop progesterone
by: Joy

Hi Chris

Well you certainly made me laugh now when you explained to Lee Anne about what doctors like to dish out, priceless and you are so correct of course!! You still have your sense of humour, that’s a good sign!

Now 3 – 4 weeks is not nearly enough time for your symptoms to clear. It takes between 2 - 6 months before one starts to feel the benefit, sometimes longer depending on how severe symptoms are. I have been asking this a lot lately, and will ask it again. How long have you had your symptoms for? Probably a long time, possibly a few years, now to expect progesterone to work it’s wonders in 3 – 4 weeks is asking a little too much. It takes time and your body is still adjusting.

Are you using a progesterone cream with the correct concentration? If not, you would probably have to double what you are now using – see here. Even if you are using the correct progesterone cream, it still is not enough time to notice the benefits. You are also not on the correct heavy bleeding protocol which is:

*Natpro - 400mg to 500mg/per day * N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) - 2000mg/per day * Taurine - 2000mg/per day * Vitamin D - 5000iu's/per day more if vitamin D level is low * Bioflavanoids - 1000mg/per day

You have now increased your progesterone to 8000mg per day, you have not given things time to work. I understand that it is frustrating for you, but time and patience is what is needed. Before you stop using progesterone, please consider following the correct protocol.

Lee Anne is correct in saying that we are all different and need to find something that suits us. I am dealing with another lady who is experiencing the same as you, and apart from the heavy bleeding protocol, she is finding that black-strap molasses is helping her. Lee Anne finds that other things help her. Perhaps these things will help you too.

Whilst progesterone is essential, there are times when it can’t do it on it’s own, it needs help in the form of amino acids etc.

You are taking 10 000iu’s vitamin D which is a good amount, but you do not say what your level is, it is vital that you get you level up high, between 70 – 100ng/mL, nothing less as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone.

Just a little on your diet. We all need to eat more protein and fat, avoid as many carbs as possible. Excellent results are being achieved by the Ketogenic Diet.

Hope this helps you.
Feb 27, 2014
 Don't give up on the progesterone..
by: Anonymous

Hi Chris...

I know how you feel but if you stick with it you will be happy. I have been on it since I was 17 years old, I tell everyone my story because most women don't get the straight story. Progesterone make you sleep better, keeps your skin better and believe me...I am blessed to have found a doctor that knew I wasn't like "Lucy" that never had issues. When you look beautiful, no one believes you. But Progesterone was the answer!

Here is mine....I hear that it stops hot flashes..I am now 60 and have NEVER had hot flashes. I have had ovarian cancer, endometriosis and bled so bad during my periods that at times I thought I was hemorrhaging.sp? Anyway during that time I would get an injection from the hospital of progesterone and it would stop in a couple of hours. My breasts hurt so bad I thought I had breast cancer and the doctor told me to take 800 mg OF MY BIO-IDENTICAL PROGERTERONE every 4 hours (compounded) and by morning it had stopped.

I take the pills made by the compounding pharmacy in Illinois --Mark Drugs ..check out their website ..you can't go wrong. I talk with Craig in Deerfield, IL and he has been right on the money. I take 200mg every night and vaginally too maybe once or twice a week. I am finally on the right track.
No problems, vaginally either. He mixes a bit of testosterone, estriol, and progesterone, life is like I was 35 without issues. All is made bio-identical. I have to be careful because of the Ovarian cancer...but I still have my left ovary and no problems. They will make it without Estriol too if you want. They also have Progesterone cream that you can use instead, they just make it stronger than what you can buy. I moved to GA and they sent it to me there. Then I moved back to Illinois. So good luck and don't give up. Take Care
Feb 28, 2014
 hope you feel better soon
by: angel

I don't know why everybody would need bioflavonoids--they slow down phase 2 detox in the liver which has to do with breaking down estrogens so they don't build up and be more toxic. There are other antioxidants out there that are better especially for women like Vitamin A from natural cod liver oil from Green pastures company. It is not synthetic vitamin A. Also carlson labs makes a great natural vitamin a from the fish also. Vitamin A is needed for vitamin D to work and they both help hormonal signaling. They should never be taken apart and the ratio should be something like 5000 iu of Vitamin A to 2500iu of Vitamin D. You end of needed alot less vitamin d when taken from the cod liver oil if it is the natural one without added synthetic A and D. Only one company is making it right now thou. and you don't risk the toxicity associated with vitamin d alone.
NAC would be great if it was PharmaNac which doesn't degrade and oxidize before you have a chance to use it. that's the problems with other nacs they just simply oxidize and degrade once the bottle is opened.
Mar 03, 2014
 which one?
by: Anonymous

Hi Angel-which cod liver oil has the all natural A and D?
Mar 04, 2014
 hope you feel better soon
by: angel

The brand is Green Pastures they are the only one right now making this kind and it is called Blue Ice fermented cod liver oil. I use it and their High Vitamin Butter oil. the combination of the two is what Weston A Price used on his patients to revive health. You can just use the cod liver oil if you want. Warning some people freak on the taste and they have flavored onces and capsules. the capsules are way to expensive for me, so I just take it stright off a spoon and follow with a drink. My kid loves it.
Mar 06, 2014
 Cod Liver Oil and Bioflavonoids
by: Joy

Just a note on code liver oil and bioflavonoids.

Bioflavonoids strengthen capillaries, see here and here. The first paper has no abstract, but the second gives a resume of it, done by one of the top nutritional doctors in the States - see here and here. We have found that without taking it, the results are not effective. The protocol mentioned is needed to stop heaving bleeding.

Cod Liver Oil can become toxic as it is loaded with vitamin A, in fact all fish liver oils and liver in general. It also inhibits the uptake of vitamin D. If one is deficient in vitamin A, it is advisable to take beta carotene instead - see here and here and here.
Mar 09, 2014
 me too
by: Jill

Hi Chris! You are like me- I started bleeding a lot as well. For the ENTIRE month of this past January, I was bleeding. It was horrible- with flooding, clots and constant flow.

I tried the methods recommended on here but they didn't work for me. I researched and came up with something that worked for me.

My method was a combo of Apple cider vinegar, unsulphered Blackstrap molasses both organic and Dim- plus. It's 3 Tbs of ACV and BSM a day. I put the a.c.v. in pineapple juice and sip through a straw.I take 1 to 2 dim a day. I also drink a hot lemon drink every morning as lemon may help. Pineapple too.

It took about a week-- but it finally stopped the bleeding. I noticed that the clots were lessening and then the bleeding would lessen. Sometimes I would get another clot or two and the bleeding would pick up and then it would lessen again. It went back and forth for a week- each time getting to be less and less until it stopped.

I didn't bleed at all for the whole month of February and now into march as well. I am getting some mild signs that a period is coming but its not as bad as usual. Very good signs!

Of course everyone is different-- but this worked for me. Oh- and I also took a 1/2 tbs cod liver oil for about 2 weeks as well.

Just wanted you to know what worked for me. Good luck and patience. It can take time!
Mar 12, 2014
 Chris
by: Anonymous

Chris, as someone who bled for two months straight I'd also encourage you to continue with the progesterone. One thing though, you did mention taking a multivitamin. I would also encourage you to add an iron supplement to your regime. During my woes, the extra iron helped me immensely.

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