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Man on Natural Progesterone Cream 8-10 mg a day

by Dan
(Selden, NY)

I am a male 63 years old with prostate cancer and I have been on natural progesterone cream, 8-10mg a day, for 2 1/2 months. I exibit slowed beard growth, slight female fat pattern starting in abdomen and thighs, new scalp hair growing in dark brown color at hair line (I have a full head of hair and still do before using progesterone) and formally gray hair is growing in dark also. My libido is intact, urinary tract is working great, no trips to bathroom at night, morning erections are back etc., full urine stream where before it was getting weaker.

I am puzzeled as progesterone cream is not supposed to have any side effects. Could I have an excess of progesterone already? Is it converting to estrogen somehow? If that is the case then why is my libido better than ever? Am I getting more estrogen and testosterone at the same time competing for receptor sites? I have read that I could experience estrogen dominance at first for the first 3 months and then it should subside, so I will continue the cream and see if that happens. I am going to get my PSA checked in 2 months and see what that is compared to before. Puzzled!

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Jan 08, 2011
 Man on Natural Progesterone Cream 8-10 mg a day
by: Wray

Hi Dan It is Oestrogen Dominance causing the adverse side effects. I don't believe you are using enough progesterone, please see here. Progesterone and oestrogen stimulate each other, so initially oestrogen is ramped up. To overcome this more progesterone is needed, I suggest 100mg/day or more. I'm delighted that your urinary tract is working and your libido is good, this should occur. Progesterone is an anti-inflammatory hence the improvement in the urinary tract, and as for libido, we have many men using it to good affect. There is some evidence that progesterone is responsible for the increase and not testosterone, see here, and here. Please have a vitamin D test done, there is so much evidence accumulating that a lack of this vitamin increases cancer risk, and more. See here, here and the Vitamin D council website. Also here, here, here and here. Please consider taking vitamin D, the minimum dose is 5000iu's per day, it's safe as high as 30,000iu's per day. Take care Wray
Jan 10, 2011
 vitamin d
by: Anonymous

Everyone most likely needs more vitamin d but if you take it please be sure to take magnesium along with it because vitamin d uses magnesium. If you are low on magnesium to start with the vit. d will use up magnesium making for some horrible side effects from being magnesium def.
Jan 11, 2011
 Dose of progesterone cream
by: Dan

Dear Wray, Are you suggesting I use 100 mg of natural Progesterone cream a day when the dose is supposed to be 8-12 mg a day? Please respond.
Jan 12, 2011
 Additional progesterone effect info
by: Dan

Dear Wray, Here are a few more side effects that happened initially. The first two weeks on progesterone cream my beard grew faster and came in darker color than it was and my libido increased (testosterone like effects). Then it changed to the estrogen dominance response starting the third week I started getting night sweats, slower beard growth, new darker hair on head, female fat, libido stayed good, urine stream good, no night time trips to bathroom. If you affirm that I should increase the dose to 100 mg. and take vitamin D, that's what I will try next. Thanks again.
Jan 15, 2011
 vitamin d
by: Wray

Hi there Thanks for your comment on magnesium. I assume wrongly perhaps, that everyone is eating green leafy veggies! The principal adverse side affect from too little magnesium, once vitamin D is started, is pain. I know this from having read about it, and helping someone with low vitamin D who experienced it. If you know of other adverse side affects, please add them here. Everyone should know of them. Take care Wray
Jan 15, 2011
 Additional progesterone effect info
by: Wray

Hi Dan Yes I am suggesting you use more. There is no right or wrong dose, it's entirely dependant on symptoms. Please read that link I gave you from a man in Australia who was using the higher amount, and found it affective. The adverse side effects you are getting from oestrogen dominance needs a higher amount of progesterone to eliminate them quickly. The good affects you are experiencing, ie no night time trip to the bathroom, urine stream good, and the good libido, indicates the progesterone is beginning to have an affect. There is strong evidence it's not testosterone responsible for good libido, but progesterone, please read those papers I gave you. These are more here an here. We have many men using progesterone to increase their libido. Excess oestrogen stimulates prolactin, although this is known as the hormone of lactogenesis, in excess it reduces libido, causes hypogonadism, galactorrhoea and has inflammatory properties too. Excess prolactin suppresses dopamine, not only does this cause depression, but dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for sexual arousal. In men, the most common symptoms of high prolactin are decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. A lack of protein in the diet, leads to a deficiency in the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine, a drop in tyrosine levels causes dopamine levels to drop, which stimulates prolactin release. Stress causes dopamine levels to drop too. There is some evidence that prolactin can delay hair re-growth, and that it's is involved in tumourigenesis. Progesterone causes an increase in dopamine by suppressing prolactin, see here. It is also a mono amine oxidase inhibitor. Mono amine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down dopamine and serotonin. And please consider a vitamin D test before you take it, and read those papers I gave you too. I think you'll find they are convincing evidence it's needed. Take care Wray
Jan 16, 2011
 vitamin d
by: Anonymous

More info. on magnesium and vitamin d . I know this from experience. My vit.d was low so i started taking a liquid vitamin d3 in a small dose of only 1,0000mg. daily and was going to up my dosage slowly but before i could even raise my dose on the 3rd. month i started having some muscle tightness and twitching in the calves of my legs , fatigue , shakey hands and insomina , just a feeling of not being well, then my heart started to race and my bp went up ( I have always had low bp ) . Started a search on the internet about vit. d thinking this was my problem and found that when taking vitamin d you should also take magnesium because vitamin d uses magnesium and if your magnesium is already low it can cause some very serious health problems. My magnesium was most likley low for a long time since i had been having some minor symptoms of it for years but just didn't know what my problem was . I started taking epsom salts baths and using magnesium gel rubbed on the skin , have been doing this now for about a month and am just now starting to fell some better. Just want everyone who takes vitamin d to know that this could happen . Vitamin d is a really good thing to take as most people are def. in it but please be aware that taken without magnesium you could suffer some bad health problems. It is estimated that over 80% of americans are low in magnesium. Blood test for mag. level are of no help as most of our mag. is in our cells and when blood levels start to go down mag. is pulled from our cells to rise the blood level back up and if this goes on the cells in our body will become low in magnesium.
Jan 17, 2011
 vitamin d
by: Wray

Hi there Thanks so much for sharing this. It's much as I thought, I do know pain can set in, and I normally advise people of this, but in this instance forgot. Too many things to remember! But I was interested to hear about the other symptoms you experienced. I'd not heard of those, and yet they all fit with magnesium deficiency symptoms. One nutrient you could consider trying is the amino acid taurine. It's an osmolyte and is directly involved with getting the electrolytes in and out of cells. I used to take magnesium on and off all my life for calf cramps, but once I started taking the taurine, I found I didn't need the magnesium. Evidently I was eating sufficient in my food, but not sufficient taurine to get it where needed, in the cell. Taurine is not found in veggies, only animal protein, although we can convert it from cysteine which is found in veggies. But some authorities believe there's not sufficient quantities of cysteine in the diet to help. You are right, blood tests for magnesium are not that reliable, a hair analysis is best, see here. Take care Wray
Jan 19, 2011
 Dosage amount of Progesterone Cream
by: Dan

Wray,
I am just trying to establish the correct dosage. The progesterone cream I am using has the following amount of progesterone in it. I am using the Puritan Pride Brand sold by Puritan Pride Vitamin Store in Lake Ronkonkoma, the label reads 480 mg. of progesterone per ounce. Could you please break this down to what 1/8 tsp. and 1/4 tsp. equals in mg. of progesterone as I have read conflicting info on this. Thanks
Jan 19, 2011
 Vitamin d
by: Anonymous

Wray, Everyone always talks about all kinds of vitamins and what they can do for you but everyone has forgotten or misunderstood just what all magnesium can do for your health.Thanks so much for the info. on taurine i might just give it a try. God Bless you and all you do to help people.
Jan 21, 2011
 Dosage amount of Progesterone Cream
by: Wray

Hi Dan This is a 1.6% cream, which means it contains 16mg progesterone per gram or ml of cream. 1ml is 5th of a tsp, which means 1tsp of the cream you have contains 80mg of progesterone. So 1/8th tsp contains 10mg of progesterone, 1/4tsp contains 20mg progesterone. Take care Wray
Jan 21, 2011
 Vitamin d
by: Wray

Hi there Bless you for the kind words! Dr Cannell comments that most people are deficient in magnesium, and it's essential to take it with vitamin D. I forgot to give you his website, it's so excellent, please have a look at it here. Take care Wray
Jan 29, 2011
 Progesterone causing new dark hair growth?
by: Dan

Wray, I have to bring this up as you are so knowedgeable in this field. I have always had a good head of dark brown hair, am now 63 years old and have had some gray hair for quite a few years. Since taking progesterone cream with saw palmetto I notice a lot of new dark brown hair growing in on my frontal hairline. I know that both saw palmetto and progesterone are 5 alpha reductase inhibitors. Is the progesterone causing this? I have read that an increase of melanin can do this. Is it the natural estrogen in my system that is doing this? Is it the increase in testosterone doing this? Or is it the combibation of progesterone, saw palmetto, estrogen and testosterone?

I have been trying to get my dose of progesterone cream up to 100mg. as you had told me. Gradually, I had gotten to 30mg a day for two weeks but I did not feel right. When I try to exert myself, heavy exercize I feel weak and it scares me. I have reduced to 20mg. a day to see how that is.
Feb 09, 2011
 Progesterone causing new dark hair growth?
by: Wray

Hi Dan Thanks for the kind words, but the laurels should rest on other shoulders. I merely use the research and put two and two together. Although the mechanism behind hair and skin colour is well understood, no one knows why hair goes grey with age. Or why in some cases it should re-colour. Melanocytes are cells which produce melanin, and are found in the basal layer of the epidermis. They are also found at the base of the hair follicle and are responsible for the colour of hair. Greying hair is caused by defective self-maintenance of melanocyte stem cells in the follicle, see here, here, here and here. Re-pigmentation has been reported in some instances, see here. I can only assume that not all the stem cells had been damaged, and that whatever the trigger was, it activated them into producing melanocytes and melanin. I've found one case of vitamin D, one of vitamin B12, zinc has been known to help and the B vitamin PABA has been known to cause temporary re-colouring. The cancer drug imatinib, which is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been known to reverse grey hair. But because of adverse side effects is not worth trying! Some studies show oxidative stress causes grey hair, see here and here. The continuous melanin synthesis in the growing hair follicle generates high oxidative stress. This could explain why vitamin D would help, as it's a potent antioxidant, see here. Intriguingly one study found a correlation between greying hair and osteopenia, see here. Osteopenia is caused by a lack of vitamin D. I'm running out of space so will open a new comment. It will show below this one on the same web page. Take care Wray
Feb 09, 2011
 Progesterone causing new dark hair growth?
by: Wray

Hi again Dan There is evidence that saw palmetto causes hair growth, but not in preventing greying. I can find no studies showing that oestrogen, testosterone or progesterone will prevent or reverse greying hair. But progesterone, as does vitamin D, regulates gene expression, has a positive fundamental effect on cell differentiation and growth, with anti-oxidative and autoimmune anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Both positively effect the nervous system by stimulating neurotrophic factors, quenching oxidative hyperactivity and regulating autoimmune responses. The adverse symptoms you are experiencing are due to oestrogen dominance, which I warned you could happen. Progesterone is excellent at reversing muscle weakness, whereas oestrogen is not, see here and here. Unfortunately the last paper does not have an abstract. So I bought it, the following relevant info I have pasted from the paper...... "We report about a 41-year old woman who was suffering from a general muscle weakness since her early childhood....From July 1998 until July 1999 the patient was treated with progesterone suppositorium 0.4 g once a day from the 14th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle. In July 1999 her gait had improved significantly and she could get up from a chair more easily, even her ability to walk up and down stairs had improved....Progesterone dosage was increased from 400 mg to 600 mg. In January 2001 the patient reported enthusiastically about the improvement she had gained from progesterone-therapy. The patient reported a clear increase in strength in all affected muscle groups resulting in dramatic functional improvement." Vitamin D is also vital in preventing muscle weakness, see here. Once you feel stable on the 20mg, please try to increase the amount again, but do it very slowly if it makes you anxious. Increasing to a high amount will overcome the symptoms quickly, but it does take some getting used to! And please have that vitamin D test done. Take care Wray
Feb 17, 2011
 Increased Progesterone Dose
by: Dan

Wray, thanks for the response. I read the info on the lab tests with rats etc., it looks encouraging for increased erectile response from progesterone. I still have an improved libido etc. and no urinary issues. I am still getting adipose fat deposits although slowly and I can live with that as I want to see if the progesterone reduces my PSA. My problem, when on increased dose of 30mg. a day was not muscle weakness but a feeling of total weakness or that my heart was not keeping up or wouldn't allow me to do anything strenuous. It would get close to a feeling I would pass out from the exertion. My muscle strength was ok. When I stopped and rested for a while I was then ok. That is why I had to reduce the dose back to 20mg. a day. I seem to be fine with this dose but I will try again to increase it gradually as you have said.
Feb 19, 2011
 Does Progesterone lower blood pressure?
by: Dan

Wray, does progesterone lower blood pressure? I have been on blood pressure med for a long time (Altace) and a water pill, does progesterone lower the blood pressure even more? This would explain the weak feeling upon exertion that I was experiencing.
Feb 27, 2011
 Upping Dose
by: Dan

Wray,
Ok i now have it up to 40mg a day and I will increase it more in a few days as it is manageable now. I did notice that my beard growth all but stopped though when I went to 40mg. I hope to start reversing this with an increased dose.
Mar 01, 2011
 Increased Progesterone Dose
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm going to answer both your queries in this one. You shouldn't be getting any fat deposits, this is caused by oestrogen. It's a mitogen, causing cells to divide and multiply, including fat cells. These are also a source of oestrogen, so a vicious cycle starts up. Please try increasing very slowly, each time you do stay on that amount till stable before increasing again. Please see these papers on PSA here, here and here. And these on oestrogen here, here, here and here. Yes progesterone does lower BP, it's a potent vasodilator, see here and here. It also increases nitric oxide which is another vasodilator. It's also an excellent diuretic. So good it's now given via IV transfusion to brain trauma victims. A very high dose is needed, about 1200mg/day or more, see here, here, here and here. Please have that vitamin D test done, a low level is directly related to high BP, see here, here here and here. Every additional problem you tell me you have points to low vitamin D, please have that test. Take care Wray
Mar 05, 2011
 Headaches
by: Dan

Wray,
I went to 40mg for two days and I am getting periodic headaches. Is this a sign of too much estrogen or an estrogen surge or something else? For now I will just continue and see if they go away by themselves as they are not that bad and do not last that long.
Mar 05, 2011
 Progesterone for MS
by: Dan

Wray,
I know this is off topic but I have read that they are now realizing that progesterone and hormone balance can improve MS symptoms. There is no MS site in the index of symptoms yet. It is documented that pregnant women with MS have noticed an improvement in their symptoms of MS while pregnant. I am asking for my niece who has had MS and started to get her first MS symptoms right after her first pregnancy. It has been getting progressively worse over the years and two more pregnancies. Progesterone is at a very high level during pregnancy and then goes down to very low or non existant after pregnancy is over. My question is what dose of progesterone would work best for her. Thanks
Mar 06, 2011
 Does Progesterone help pinched nerve in back and pain?
by: Dan

Hi Wray,
A really good friend of mine a 40 yr. old nurse has had extreme back pain for many years. It was operated on years ago and the diagnosis is a pinched nerve they think. Can progesterone cream help her?
Mar 13, 2011
 Upping Dose, headaches, MS etc
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm so behind in answering the web queries, plus emails I get too. Too many coming in now! I will answer your 4 queries in one. I can't tell you if the beard growth will increase with a higher amount, it could in fact lessen even more. But I would say a small price if it's helping with the other symptoms. The headaches are a sign of excess oestrogen, this can occur each time you increase the progesterone, unless you do it very slowly. Oestrogen is an excitatory, inflammatory hormone. Unfortunately it seems the only studies done have been on women. But it does give you an idea of what oestrogen does, see here, here and here. When the headaches occur please rub some cream on your neck, under your ears too. It helps. I'm delighted you've read about MS and progesterone! Yes it does help, one day I'll get round to doing a page on it, but right now I don't have the time. I need 10 of me! Please see here, here, here and here. There are plenty more too, but not enough space to give all of them. I suggest she tries 200mg/day, this is less than half the amount we make during pregnancy, but it's a good start. It's safe to go higher, I have women with endometriosis using 500mg/day, and those with heavy, continual bleeding 600mg/day. I've run out of space again, so will start a new comment. Take care Wray
Mar 13, 2011
 Upping Dose, headaches, MS
by: Wray

Hi again Dan Please, please get her to have a vitamin D test done, I'll guarantee it's low. There's strong evidence a lack is possibly the cause of MS, see here, here, here, here and here. Please ask her to look at the following websites for more info, the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth. A lack of vitamin D also reduces the benefits of progesterone, have you had a test done yet? Progesterone is an excellent analgesic, and one of it's metabolites, allopregnanolone, is even better. See here and here. But a pinched nerve is a pinched nerve, progesterone is not going to reverse that, I wish I could say it would! It's best to go to a chiropractor who could possibly help. Often it's a muscle in spasm that's pulling the back out of shape. Incidentally vitamin D is excellent for pain too. Take care Wray
Mar 18, 2011
 Take 100mg progesterone for how long?
by: Dan

Hi Wray, I'm up to 60mg with no additional side effects, no headaches, will up to 80mg next week, then 100mg. How long do I take 100mg? Do I wait till side effects subside then lower to say 10-20 mg a day? Thanks
Mar 22, 2011
 Stopped 60mg a day, now 40mg
by: Dan

Wray,
I had to stop the 60mg dose as my skin became flushed red and very transparent looking. I did observe the side effects stopped as far as estrogen...I could tell. So I went back to 40mg dose for now and OK, no headaches etc., everything is working right etc. I must have gotten over the hump so to speak.
Mar 23, 2011
 Progesterone for men
by: Anonymous

Wray,
Could we be on to something here? So far what I have is increased hair (on head) growth, new dark growth at hailine and gradual darkening of previously gray hair too. I have no urinary problems, bladder probems and morning erections very good IE; libido. The negative results are decreased beard growth and slight female fat accumulations. If this lowers my PSA number I guess it is also fighting the prostate cancer or reducing it. As I said all urinary symtoms have disappeared.
Mar 26, 2011
 Take 100mg progesterone for how long?
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm answering your 3 queries in one, sorry about the late reply, again! I'm delighted you managed to get to the 60mg. I'm intrigued by the flushed skin. Was it all over or just your face? I have a woman with rosacea who is trying it to see if it will help. I haven't found papers to say it will, but who knows! Progesterone is a vasodilator, so I imagine more blood was getting to your skin, hence the flushed look. If this is the case, it bodes well for the hair, as often it's a lack of nutrients getting to the follicle which causes the problems. I can't tell you how delighted I am that all your urinary problems have gone and that your libido is good. I didn't doubt this would occur, but it takes some persuading to get people to use a higher amount. Bless you for trusting me. I don't think you should worry unduly about the fat deposits, they should go in time. I would be interested to hear if the PSA does reduce, don't forget that it's not an accurate assessment. I will have to leave it to you on whether you increase or decrease the amount you are using. The 40mg seems to be working well, so maybe stay on that for a few weeks. It's so easy to alter the dose to suit. Not forgetting stress drops progesterone levels, so more is needed to prevent the return of symptoms. Testosterone is responsible for scalp hair loss and for facial hair, so is Insulin Resistance. With reduced levels I don't think the facial hair will grow much, we can but see. Please, please have that vitamin D test done. Vitamin D is the most potent anti-proliferative natural substance there is. Please! I do hope the MS info I gave you helps your niece. Take care Wray
Mar 27, 2011
 Flushed Condition
by: Dan

Wray, the flushed or reddish color was all over me. As a matter of fact I still have it on 40mg dose and it happens about 2-3 hrs. after application of the dose and stays until later on in the day. I didn't notice it right away. Then I take a second dose and it continues. Is this anything to be worried about? Other than this problem there are no others at all. So it doesn't seem to matter if it is 40mg or 60 mg the redness is there. Like I said 60mg was no problem either.What should I do? I always take a 1000iu vitamin D every day too. Oh by the way I never had any estrogen dominance symptoms until I started the progesterone. I don't think I have estrogen dominance because of the positive effect on urinary tract and no loss of hair and libido but if it is I think more reasearch needs to be done on estrogen and progesterone's effect on men. There seems to be a good thing happening here but as to what is causing it I am at a loss. I am making an appt. for a PSA check this week.
Mar 28, 2011
 Update
by: Dan

Wray, I have an update on the slightly flushed look I have. It's more noticeable on the hands, feet and face. I think it has to do with my skin having a more transparent look to it. I've read that estrogen can cause this also. As you said progesterone is a vasodialator. It kind of looks like I got a little too much sun now and then. It's probably not anything to be concerned about, I'm just trying to describe it a little better. If this lowers PSA and fights the existing cancer it's definately worth it. I will post results.
Apr 06, 2011
 Flushed Condition
by: Wray

Hi Dan Bless you for your continuing reports! I'm answering both in this reply. I still feel the flushed skin is the vasodilator effect progesterone has on blood vessels, I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. But of course if you feel uneasy about it, please reduce the amount you're using. Or if it causes discomfort. It might be you need to increase at a slower rate, but if you find the 30mg/day you were using sufficient you could stick to that. It's interesting it's more noticeable on your face, hands and feet, I've no explanation why it should be. It's difficult to advise you, as I'm not living in your skin! It's interesting you have this, as the other men who have prostate problems have not experienced it, or certainly haven't mentioned it to me. Please increase your vitamin D to 5000iu's every day, this is the minimum the vitamin D authorities suggest. Anything lower and it cannot be stored, the lowest level for this is 40ng/ml. Although they suggest our blood levels should be a minimum of 50ng/ml, better still if it's in the 70-100ng.ml. Mine was only 35ng/ml when I first had a test done, I'm now pleased to say it's 71.9ng/ml. So please have a test done and increase your intake. Oestrogen dominance is insidious, you did have that fatty build up, plus a few other symptoms. So when starting progesterone, because it increases oestrogen initially, the adverse symptoms would become very noticeable. Please read the info on the Our Stolen Future website. Since I first began advising on progesterone 15 years ago there were 50 known oestrogen mimics, these have now increased 100%. The only safe way to counter them is via progesterone. Or find a clean planet! I would be interested to hear the results of the PSA test. Don't forget the info on this paper here. I'm delighted you are responding so positively to it, bar the flushing. But I beg of you have a vitamin D test done, and increase your intake! The GrassrootsHealth organisation are doing a research study on vitamin D, and have made testing very cheap. Please consider joining their campaign. Take care Wray
Apr 14, 2011
 PSA Check
by: Dan

Hi Wray,
My PSA went up from 8.0 July last year to 8.8 this year. I'm puzzeled as I thought it would go down not up!
Apr 15, 2011
 PSA up
by: Dan

Hi Wray,
Since my PSA went up .8 points from last July (8.0 to 8.8) I requested my doctor give me a script for Free PSA test. I read that if the free PSA has increased it is good and if it has lessened it is not good and could be cancer caused. I havn't ever had this done so I have no standard to go by as yet so I will have to rely on his interpretation of the results. As it stands now he wants to schedule a biopsy for July of this year. As I have said I feel great and have no symptoms of a problem with my prostate at all now! Before starting progesterone I did have difficulty urinating and have to urinate during the night etc., low libido. I was told and I have read that progesterone lowers PSA. Has mine not gone down because I am still estrogen dominant or positive? Estrogen used to be given to patients as a therapy to lower PSA so if I am dominant it should go down if anything!
Apr 16, 2011
 Free PSA test
by: Dan

Hi Wray, sorry to write so much, the Doc. won't do Free PSA test because he says he already knows I have cancer and that is used to determine that. He wants to do another biopsy like last year.
Apr 20, 2011
 PSA Check
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm going to answer all your questions in one. I'm sorry I can't get to them as soon as I'd like to, but time doesn't allow it! A rise in PSA can be caused by a number of things. Richard Ablin, the man who discovered PSA says..."As I?ve been trying to make clear for many years now, P.S.A. testing can?t detect prostate cancer and, more important, it can?t distinguish between the two types of prostate cancer ? the one that will kill you and the one that won?t.....Infections, over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, and benign swelling of the prostate can all elevate a man?s P.S.A. levels, but none of these factors signals cancer." I can't remember if you told me you had a biopsy done previously, which did detect cancer? Did you read those papers I gave you? I'll give them again in case not, see here, here and here. So cancer or not, have you had a recent infection? I'm sure stress could raise levels, but I'd have to look into it to be sure. The main thing is you feel great. I do believe you are still oestrogen dominant, it doesn't pass quickly. And yes you are right, oestrogen used to be given to men with prostate cancer, why I have no idea. It can cause it, which doesn't surprise me at all, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. There is some reason to believe insulin resistance could have something to do with prostate cancer, it doesn't surprise me, see here. But I don't agree about the low fat diet, there's no question it's a high sugar or sweet starchy foods which cause IR, plus a lack of vitamin D. Have you had that test done?! Please do so. I have no explanation for the increase in the PSA, but will try to look into it for you. Take care Wray
May 26, 2011
 New Blood Tests
by: Dan

Wray,
I am going for a full workup, blood tests, for annual physical. This will include a PSA test too. I have been taking Curcumin herb for about a month now and I want to see if it helps. I will get tested in about 2 weeks. Do you have any knowledge of Curcumin?
Jun 03, 2011
 New Blood Tests
by: Wray

Hi Dan Good to hear from you again. It will be interesting to hear what the PSA and other tests reveal. A woman I've been corresponding with in the UK wrote an answer to you, but then lost it! She wanted to tell you about her husbands response to progesterone. She eventually got the amount he was using up to 100mg/day, although he went through bad oestrogen dominance doing so. She also has him on vitamin D too. You don't mention if you've had the test or if you are taking it. Please have one if not, it really is the most important thing you could do. Curcumin is good, there are many studies on it's benefits, but it's not as valuable to the body as vitamin D! It does seem to have anti-inflammatory activity, possibly by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. It also exhibits chemopreventive and growth inhibitory activity against several tumor cell lines. It seems to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and may inhibit angiogenesis. But the bioavailability of curcumin is very low after oral administration. Eating turneric appears to increase glutathione activity, which is low in cancer. So if you like curries, add lots of tumeric to your food, although it is quite bitter if too much is added! Take care Wray
Jul 20, 2011
 DIM to lower oestrogen levels
by: Jennifer

I wonder if the supplement, DIM, would be helpful to Dan? My husband & I both take DIM after it was recommended to us by a bio-idential specialist pharmacist. We order our's from youngagain.com
Aug 01, 2011
 DIM to lower oestrogen levels
by: Wray

Hi Jennifer Thanks for giving Dan the tip. I have found that Calcium D-Glucarate is also excellent. Oestrogen is metabolised in the liver by glucuronic acid, the process is known as glucuronidation. The process also removes other substances, including toxins, drugs, bilirubin, androgens, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. It's then excreted in the bile, but an enzyme in the intestine called beta-glucuronidase breaks the oestrogen/glucuronide bond, which allows oestrogen to be reabsorbed. Calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, see here and here Incidentally this enzyme is produced by undesirable gut bacteria, supplementing with probiotics suppresses the bacteria, and subsequently the beta-glucuronidase. Take care Wray
Aug 15, 2011
 PSA UP
by: Dan

Hi Wray, My test results were not sent for a month. I just got them and PSA went up again! It is now over 10! I just started 5000 iu's of Vitamin D. I am still on 40mg of progesterone cream a day. Am I still estrogen dominant? Would a high estrogen level cause the PSA to go up? I have never felt better and libido and everything else is good!
Aug 17, 2011
 PSA UP
by: Wray

Hi Dan It's good to hear from you again. I can't tell you how relieved I am that you have started the vitamin D, but please have a test, as the 5000iu's might not be enough. I have people with cancer taking 20,000iu's per day. And don't worry about the PSA, read those papers I sent you, they should reassure you. You could be oestrogen dominant still, but as you're feeling so well I don't think it's something to be concerned about. You could try increasing the progesterone, as that will tell you! When you have time, do let me know how you get on. Take care Wray
Oct 09, 2011
 Night Sweats
by: Dan

Hi Wray, I've been getting night sweats at least two times a week for quite a while now. They don't disturb my sleep but my t-shirt is pretty soaked. What does this mean as far as what my hormone balance is or my body is saying.I feel good, everything else is ok and normal.

Also is tumeric an anti estrogen and what about soy? Thanks.
Jan 20, 2012
 Slightly Estrogen Dominant
by: Dan

Hi Wray,
I have added soy 3x a day to the mix. My nightsweats stopped, libido good, my gray hair is vanishing, slight adipose fat gain, new hairline looks good, more full. I will get PSA check but I feel great no prostate problems at all.
Jan 22, 2012
 Slightly Estrogen Dominant
by: Wray

Hi Dan I can't believe I've missed your Oct comment, I'm so sorry, and have no idea how it happened. I'm delighted all is well. Turmeric is an excellent anti-inflammatory, but please avoid the soy, it is oestrogenic which probably accounts for the fat gain, see here and here. We do have more papers on our Man Boobs page. I feel it's the vitamin D doing the trick, but please have that test! Take care Wray
Jan 29, 2012
 Stopping soy, increasing vitamin D
by: Anonymous

Wray,
I stopped the soy and I will see what happens I am increasing vitamin D intake as well. i will try once again to increase the progesterone but I haven't had much luck with the side effects so far. Even a dose of 30mg seems to be too much.
Jan 30, 2012
 Stopping soy, increasing vitamin D
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm happy you've stopped the soy, and that you're increasing the vitamin D too. Interesting you can't get above 30mg. I was told recently by a woman in Canada that she has her husband on 400mg/day! Apparently he has a great deal of stress in his life, but went through severe oestrogen dominance when first using it. I think this is why she made him use so much. Take care Wray
May 21, 2012
 Latest info
by: Dan

Dear Wray,
I am doing good now, no more night sweats,my body seems to have adjusted to the dose,still at 20mg a day. Taking vitamin D. Libido and urinary systems are ok. Slight adipose fat gain seems the same. I will try to increase to 30 mg a day again and see what happens. I don't know how someone could take 400 mg. a day though, seems "a bit high".
May 24, 2012
 Latest info
by: Wray

Hi Dan I'm so delighted you're keeping in touch, many thanks. I'm also happy all systems are ok. 400mg/day is a large amount, but apparently he's very stressed. You might be interested in reading these comments here from someone who's only just started the progesterone. He was using 20mg/day but finding the oestrogen dominance difficult, much as you did. I do hope you're taking enough vitamin D, I do go on about it I know. But I've found high levels really do turn a person round, plus they enhance the progesterone effect. Take care Wray
Sep 03, 2012
 New Progesterone Cream
by: Dan

Wray,
I was getting my progesterone cream from Puritan Pride. First I had one called Progesterone Cream which stated the % amount per ounce of progesterone. The last brand was Meno-Ease, which stated on the label that it contained progesterone but with no % number on it. It seemed to work fine. They stopped selling it now and replaced it with another brand called 14% Wild Yam Cream from Puritan Pride. This does not state that it has any progesterone in it. Does it have it anyway and some law prevents them from listing it as they used to? Does this wild yam equal the same thing as I had before? Thanks, Dan
Sep 03, 2012
 New Progesterone Cream
by: Wray

Hi Dan Good to hear from you again, I do hope all is well. I've been on the site and find they say "Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract", nothing about progesterone. Why I can't say, the laws are getting tougher, and more daft too! A yam extract will do nothing for you, as the body cannot convert the plant sterol into progesterone, this needs to be done in a lab. I don't normally push our cream, but you might like to try it. This page here gives all the ingredients it contains and why. It's more cost effective than others on the web too. Take care Wray
Sep 10, 2012
 Wild Yam
by: Dan

Ok, I went back to the store the other day and they had the right stuff on the shelf again. Problem solved, except what do I do with the wild yam cream...maybe it will make my sweet potatoes sweeter? LOL!
Sep 11, 2012
 Wild Yam
by: Wray

Hi Dan Well I'm pleased it's all sorted out..... And yes squeeze it out on your sweet potatoes! You could always use it if you get dry skin somewhere, or give it away to someone who does. Take care Wray
Jan 19, 2013
 PSA is rising
by: Anonymous

Hi Wray,
Just a brief update...my PSA went up on annual physical exam. I got another biopsy and my T1c tumor grade stayed the same in 11 quadrants but is close to a T2 in the twelfth. I am looking into the radioactive seeds as a treatment but before I do that I am on a new combination of herbs plus 40 mg of progesterone a day. Tumeric, saw palmetto, soy, lycopene, milk thistle, selenium & green tea. I am going to see if this lowers my PSA and I will be in touch in a few months. So far my libido jumped up again and my digestive tract improved greatly and removed that bloated stomach feeling I had. I think it is the green tea.
Jan 23, 2013
 PSA is rising
by: Wray

Hi Dan Thanks for the update. You had reduced the progesterone to 20mg/day, so it could be the increase in progesterone that has helped your Libido and digestive tract. I have no evidence green tea helps libido! Progesterone certainly does, and it helps bloating too, which is generally caused by excess oestrogen. I've begged you for 2 years now to have a vitamin D test done. The evidence there's a lack in prostate cancer is overwhelming, as it is for many cancers. Please, please have that test. Anyone with cancer should get their level up very high, at least 100ng/ml if not higher. Please......unless you have that test you will not know if you are taking enough. I also don't believe you're using enough progesterone. I did advise 100mg/day or more. A new study came out the end of last year, see here. They've found progesterone reverses tumours, but only if enough is used. That in fact too low a level encourages it to grow, this of course is due to it stimulating oestrogen. The amounts they used were the equivalent to a 50kg person using 2500-5000mg/day, a very high amount. No toxic side affects were noticed. Please consider increasing the amount you use. Please avoid the soy, we did discuss this before as you tried it. See your comment Jan 20, 2012 Slightly Estrogen Dominant and my reply. Please keep in touch. Take care Wray
Sep 21, 2013
 Prostate cancer
by: Anne Glover

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago and had a PSA of 4.2. Following a biopsy he was told his prostate cancer was 3+3 on the gleeson scale and very slow growing.vvHe was advised to have a further biopsy in six months.
I put him on natural progesterone at a dosage of about 10 - 20mg a day and then in discussion with Wray decided on 100mg a day.
His next PSA checks in six months showed that the PSA had come down to 3.6 so no biopsy was necessaryand then 3.5 the following the six months. I stopped using the progesterone on a regular basis and applied it when I remembered. His checks were now annually and his count went back to 4.2. He was now over 60 and this count was acceptable. Last year it rose again to 4.8 and again was told it was exceptable.
This year his yearly check showed the PSA had increasedto 7.8 and because of the big leap he was advised to have a scan and another biopsy.
On reading all these reports I've concluded that he wasn't having sufficient progesterone. He also stopped taking vit d in April and vit c. He is now back on vit d at 20,000 for a few weeks and then I'll drop it to 10,000. 5,000 Vit c with bicarbonate soda twice a day. I have also ordered DIM to help metabolise the excess estrogen which I'm almost certain is the culprit. I will keep you all posted as to how it goes.
He goes back to his consultant Monday and has agreed to have a scan and further biopsy. I am trying to persuade him not to have the biopsy but the consultantis putting on a great deal of pressure.
Hope this helps someone.
Sep 24, 2013
 Prostate cancer Part 1
by: Wray

Hi Anne This is very interesting. Pity he stopped the progesterone and vitamin D. The vitamin D is of utmost importance, and it should never be stopped, see here, here and here. This one here is very interesting, it says "Both calcitriol and dietary vitamin D(3) were equipotent in suppressing estrogen synthesis and signaling and other proinflammatory and growth signaling pathways." But as both Progesterone and Vitamin D work synergistically, it's best to use both. Besides a lack of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone, see here, here and here. They have found very high amounts of progesterone suppresses tumours, see here. DIM doesn't metabolise excess oestrogen. Oestrogen is broken down into 2 principle metabolites, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16-alpha hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1). 16alpha-OHE1 is regarded as a potent oestrogen, whereas 2-OHE1 is a weak oestrogen. DIM increases levels of 2-OHE1, by doing so it also increases the ratio of 2-OHE1:16alpha-OHE1. This increased ratio is associated with a lower risk for breast cancer, see here. Other studies have found a protective role too. Now calcium D-glucarate does help metabolise it. Oestrogen is metabolised in the liver by glucuronic acid, the process is known as glucuronidation. Glucuronidation is one of the major detoxification pathways of the liver. It removes carcinogens, toxins, tumour promoters, the sex hormones ie, the androgens and oestrogens, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, aromatic and heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, various nitrosamines, drugs, fungi etc. Continued below
Sep 24, 2013
 Prostate cancer
by: Wray

Hi Anne It's then excreted in the bile, but an enzyme in the intestine called beta-glucuronidase reverses the glucuronidation process. It breaks the glucoronide bond between a toxin and glucuronic acid, and releases carcinogens, toxins and excess steroid hormones back into circulation. There's evidence beta-glucuronidase activity is increased in breast and prostate cancer. Calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, see here, here, here and here. Incidentally this enzyme is produced by undesirable gut bacteria, supplementing with probiotics suppresses the bacteria, and subsequently the beta-glucuronidase. Silymarin from milk thistle also inhibits beta-glucuronidase, plus it helps the liver detox. These are excellent videos, I'm not sure you've seen them, see here, here, here and here. I will get round to answering your email too! Trying to get through the comments first. Take care Wray
Sep 25, 2013
 Andy's prostate progress
by: Anne Glover

Hi Wray,
Thanks for all that. I know how extremely busy you are so not to worry about the email. It was a catchup really. You are doing such tremendous work on this site. I thought I'd join it to help promote the natural progesterone for prostate cancer as I can't help feeling that the mainstream doctors rely on pharmaceutical reports and have very little knowledge about hormonal imbalance. I have ordered anti-oxidant formula now from Kiron. Andy has been taking 200mg progesterone for a week now and surprisingly (or probably not) he did not have any of the reactions he experienced from having 100mg. I can only assume that it is the correct dosage to combat the excess estrogen.
If you remember when I first put him on 100 he was very tired, irritable and lethargic. This time too he was tired.
Not so with the 200mg so I'm keeping him on the dosage.
I will also order the calcium D Gulcarate and keep the vit D dose up to 20,000.
He is having an MRI now so hopefully if they don't find a tumour they won't insist on the biopsy.
He's fine in all other areas and shows no symptoms linked to prostate cancer which makes me feel that it was the excess estrogen that upped his PSA level and I cannot see how the cancer would increase regarding the gleeson grade.
He did catch a particularly bad virus while we were in Spain Feb - April which he didn't shake off very well and then since our return to the UK in April - Sept he's had two very nasty virus/flu attacks. The second one brought on a very bad cough and he was straining so much. The doctorwas of no help, nor was his flu pills until I put him on silver, vit c and bicarb. It went within two days and he's continued to improve ever since. Could the virus affect his PSA?
Ax
Sep 27, 2013
 Andy's prostate progress
by: Wray

Hi Anne Well I have managed to catch up, and done your email too. Then this morning there were 40 new comments which I downloaded, so it's never ending! I'm delighted you're giving him 200mg/day progesterone. You'll see in the email I suggest using far more due to new research. And yes please keep him on 20,000iu/day vitamin D, or more. In the email, I gave you a paper which suggests 40,000iu per day. The chest infection would never have taken hold if he'd kept his level up. Please have a test done, you too. It's low in everyone in the UK. Very happy your natural remedies worked. We can't escape excess oestrogen now, and should do all we can to reduce it. There are now over 100 oestrogen mimics in our environment, see Our Stolen Future. One woman has just written in to say she's having bad Hair Loss and could it be due to the 4 orchards they live near that spray heavily. Unfortunately I had to say yes, most of the pesticides used are oestrogen mimics. Viruses can affect everything as they lower our immune response, so let's hope that was the reason. Even more important to have that vitamin D test done! Let me know how he gets on. Bless you for the kind words too. Take care Wray
Feb 18, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

Hi Wray, hope you're still around! :)

41 year old male. Started doing David Mills regimen of 60mg progesterone daily, 100mg pregnonelone every second day, 25mg DHEA twice a week, and 3000mg D-Ascorbic Acid daily. Had mild gyno before starting with alot of chest fat even though I'm about 19% body fat. Been on it for a week and gyno started to get worse today. You mentioned that estrogen symptoms can increase and that dose increases of the progesterone are advisable. Should I be taking more than the 60mg daily at this point or just stick with it?
Feb 24, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Wray

Hi Danny Yes I'm still around! Although I don't normally answer questions from people who use other creams, I find I had no time for myself. David has had success with his protocol, but it seems it's not working for you. This is not unusual as we are all so different. I would suggest increasing the progesterone to 100mg/day, continue taking the ascorbic acid, but stop the other two. They can be disrupting things, and only by stopping can you tell. Besides it's difficult to tell which is affecting you as you have started all 4 at once. It's best to start one thing, and if you feel you need more help, start another. David spent time adding and subtracting until he got it right for himself. As you know, progesterone does stimulate oestrogen leading to Oestrogen Dominance. This affects men as it does women, unfortunately it is something which we have to work through. Please have a Vitamin D test done, a lack of this reduces the benefits of progesterone. Plus it's a vital antioxidant, most of us have far too little in our systems. Take care Wray
Feb 25, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

Hi Wray!

Thank you so much for your reply. It was very much appreciated. I wound up on this forum and had no idea that you sell your own cream. I purchased a big batch of it online so once it runs out I will surely order some through here if I stick with it. I was taking Calcium D-Glucarate prior to starting any of this. 1250mg to be exact. Any more and it will kill my sex drive. Any less and my gyno would start flaring up again. I have been able to increase it to 2000mg now to counteract the oestrogen symptoms I have been having and will probably go even higher to 2500mg soon as it is still feeling rather tender and sex drive is fine. From what I understood of your writings, Calcium D-Glucarate will not interfere with the benefits of what I am taking. I'll stick with that for another two weeks and if I don't see any improvement I'll increase the progesterone to 100mg and ditch the dhea and pregnenolone for awhile until things stabilize. I also take 4000IU of B6, 4000IU of Vitamin D, and 50mg of zinc daily. If anything I say here makes no sense feel free to comment. Thank you again for all you've done. :)
Feb 28, 2015
 Recommended Progesterone blood levels? (male)
by: Elliott

What should we be looking for re; optimal Progresterone blood levels? I'm going to try supplementing with Prog cream based on your recommendations and will be monitoring my results.

Pre-supplementation I just tested at:
0.6 with Ref Range <1.4 ng/mL

Since you always mention it, my Vit D was tested at:
34 with Ref Range 30-100 ng/mL

To provide insight on why I'm on this journey, some of my other recent results..

Testosterone:
197 with Ref Range 348-1197 ng/dL

Free Testosterone:
6.0 with Ref Range 8.7-25.1 pg/mL

Estradiol:
24.8 with Ref Range 7.6-42.6 pg/mL

I'm 36 years old and "healthy" otherwise.

THANK YOU and take care.
Mar 10, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

Hi again Wray,

Just wanted to let you know that I took your advice after doing more research that evening, dropped the DHEA and Pregnenolone, kept taking the D-Asparctic acid at 3000mg a day, and increased progesterone to 100mg daily. My gynecomastia is getting worse and worse... I now have a huge, almost golf ball sized lump that is really scaring me. The Calcium D-Glucarate no longer appears to be helping. I'm wondering if I should stop :(
Mar 18, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Wray

Hi Danny It seems you're on the right track, and I can't see any reason for you not to continue. Although I'm a bit puzzled by the 4000u of B6, it's normally measured in mg. Please make sure your Vitamin D is high enough. I know I sound like a broken record, but it is so important, and could be the reason for your problem. It's much cheaper than either the CDG or progesterone. Let me know how the higher CDG goes, and if at any time you feel it is affecting you, then increase the progesterone instead. It is always a question of experimenting which you seem willing to do, but others are too nervous about. Thank you for realising we do make our own cream, it's not something I like to push as it's all about people getting better. And if they prefer another cream then so be it! Take care Wray
Mar 18, 2015
 Recommended Progesterone blood levels? (male)
by: Wray

Hi Elliott Optimal blood levels are controversial, as the 'norm' is often not sufficient to overcome some of the problems we get. Men are less subjected to them than women, because they make far less oestrogen than we do, but they are still affected. You have been given the reference ranges, but you could look at our Hormone Testing page too. I can't tell you what your level 'should' be, any more than I can tell a woman this. I've found some need far more progesterone to achieve any lasting success, than others do. It is a question of trial and error. I see you have checked your Vitamin D level, which to my mind is far too low. I find that range of 30-100mg/ml daft. The specialists are suggesting a narrower range and much higher of 75-100ng/ml. Too low a level affects testosterone adversely, see here and here. It could be this is all you need. Take care Wray
Mar 20, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

I'm pleased to have something to contribute to your research for a change since I am essentially using myself as a human guinea pig these days :) When you suggested that I cease taking the DHEA and Pregnelolone and to continue taking the Progesterone and D-Asparctic Acid my gynecomastia was really getting out of control. I did a test but stopped the DAA and continuing only with the Progesterone. Sure enough, my gynecomastia began to very quickly subside. Either my body can't handle DAA or the dosage was too high. When things get completely back to normal I may re-introduce it at 25% of the original dose and see what happens. I was also able to add Pregnelolone with no negative effects. This week I took my first dose of DHEA in awhile and I will see if that has any negative effects. My gut tells me that it was the DAA specifically.

Nice catch on my B6 screw-up. I'm actually taking 400mg per day of B6, 4400IU of Vitamin D, 100mg Progesterone, 100mg Pregnelolone every other day, and 25mg of DHEA twice a week. I'll bump up the Vitamin D by another 1000IU as per your suggestion. I have also added I3C (indole-3-carbinol) to my regimen of Calcium D-Glucarate and I feel daily improvements in my gynecomastia.

I began heavy weight lifting three days a week since January 1st and changed my diet using a method called intermittent fasting. I essentially eat between noon and 8pm and fast the rest of the time. Training days are comprised of high calories, high protein, high carbs, and low fat. Rest days are comprised of low calories, high protein, low carbs, and high fat. I essentially feed my muscles on training days and optimize fat burning on rest days. This, along with my regimen above, has allowed me to drop 16lbs bringing my bodyfat from 23% down to 18%. My energy levels are through the roof, strength at the gym is greater than every before, sex drive significantly enhanced, decreased gynecomastia, and sleep very much improved. Needless to say I feel like a new person. At 41, I'm feeling better than I felt when I was 25.

I originally went to see an endocrinologist who ran blood tests and claimed everything was "normal". Growth hormone measured 0.03 when the range is 0.01-1.70. I told her it would be normal if I was 90 years old. Testosterone would have been normal had I been 65. It was an absolute joke. She began to talk about Tamoxifen/Nolvadex and I explained that I was already using the natural alternative of Calcium D-Glucarate (which, of course, she had never heard of and became embarrassed that I was teaching her so much!). I actually emailed her yesterday letting her know that I've solved all my problems with no medical degree and no prescription drugs (and mentioned your name as well!). All through the forums and articles on this website and the awesome power of Google ;)

I'll keep you updated should I discover anything worth sharing. Thanks again.
Mar 21, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Wray

Hi Danny I'm delighted to hear things are resolving so fast. Sorry I hadn't had time to answer the previous comment, but pleased to read the second. We do have a page on Man Boobs which I seem to have overlooked giving you. Please clear up another puzzle for me. On the 18th Feb you said you took '3000mg D-Ascorbic Acid daily', but have subsequently said you're taking 'D-Asparctic acid at 3000mg a day'. Which is it? If D-aspartic acid I imagine you're taken it to raise testosterone? If so it's much safer and more effective to increase your vitamin D substantially, this increases it, see here and here. Not only does it increase it, but unlike the D-aspartic acid it will remain higher, and not drop back again after ±2 weeks, see here. In fact I can't see any benefit to taking the D-aspartic acid! Intermittent fasting is interesting, on reflection it's something I've done for years, as I rarely eat breakfast. But I can't see the benefit of switching between a high fat to a low fat diet within a few days. Each time you do you will stop the fat burning on the high carb days. But I haven't studied intermittent fasting to any degree, evidently it's working for you. As you're looking into diet I imagine you've heard of the various eating plans being touted now such as the Paleo Diet, Atkins Diet and ketogenic diet. Please check out these websites on the ketogenic diet here, here, here and here. There's a new one too called the Whole30. All similar with varying degrees of protein and fat, but all low carb. Brave of you to email your endo with such results, but we do need to speak out. So much damage is being done with conventional medicine. It does have it's place but we've abused it's value. Keep in touch if anything new crops up. Take care Wray
Mar 22, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

Hi Wray.. it was D-Asparctic Acid to raise testosterone levels. This is what was causing the gynecomastia to get worse. I've been taking 100mg pregnenolone every other day for the last two weeks and yesterday I started to notice decreases in libido. I think I may drop that as well. I seem to be so sensitive to some of this stuff! The 100mg progesterone is definitely a good thing, that much is proven. I've upped my Vitamin D to 10000 IU a day as of yesterday. Going to stick with just that and the progesterone for awhile along with a single 25mg dose of DHEA a week. I'm also going to start backing off a touch on the Calcium D-Glucarate now that things are back to normal. I'll eventually get it all figured out :)

For the fat, carbs, calories thing... the strategy is to give the body all the nutrients it needs to build muscle on training days and then optimize fat burning on rest days. One site in particular really filled in alot of the gaps in my knowlege on the subject:

http://rippedbody.jp/leangains-intermittent-fasting-guide-how-to-do-it-by-yourself/

I can tell you for sure that it works, at least for me. I've read up on Paleo and Atkins etc.. They mostly focus on low carb. The problem is I can't put on an ounce of muscle when doing low carb and I burn out at the gym quickly. So I give my body carbs on the gym days and that seems to do the trick just as the site suggests. The lowered bodyfat is also surely doing wonders on the hormonal balance.

On another note, my mother has LAM Disease (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis). Way back in the day her doctor had her on oestrogen supplementation and that may have triggered the disease. I've been doing some reading on the subject and have been looking into whether progesterone and DHEA may provide her with a better quality of life. She gets prescription Vitamin D in a single 10000 IU dose which she is told to take once a week. I told her to discuss with her doctor taking that amount every DAY! Problem is she is paranoid about trying stuff as she is sensitive to it as I am. I'd love for her to try, at the very least, some low dose DHEA as I've been seeing it do wonders for alot of people in their mid sixties.

I'll keep you posted if anything crops up :)
Mar 25, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Wray

Hi Danny How interesting the aspartic acid did in fact cause problems, But it seems it doesn't increase testosterone which agrees with the studies, but increases aromatase which effects the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen hence the gynaecomastia. I haven't looked at that aspect yet. Very pleased you've increased the vitamin D, hopefully that will do the trick. I've had a brief look through the intermittent fasting site, and it seems to make sense! Well it certainly seems to work, although I think the trick is the exercise regimen it gives. I must confess I have never heard of LAM Disease, hardly surprising as it's very rare. Judging by what I've now read about it, it seems to be related to high oestrogen levels. I say that as it occurs mostly in women, rarely men, as do all autoimmune diseases too. The oestrogen your mother was given undoubtedly influenced it's course. Whether it will help your mother or not, she needs high dose vitamin D as you say, not the 10,000iu per week. She needs a high amount of progesterone to suppress the oestrogen, at least 200mg/day. She needs about 2000mg/day N-acetyl cysteine, given to people with any lung disorder, i.e. cystic fibrosis, cancer, TB, pneumonia etc. I would also suggest she tries about 2000mg/day taurine too. Proliferation of smooth muscle results in leiomyoma, more commonly called Fibroids, as they are mostly found in the uterus. Oestrogen does stimulate their growth. A lack of taurine affects fibroids in the uterus, see here. (Original link no longer available, linked article relates to Taurine and inflammatory diseases as relevant research related to this issue). I'm not saying it will help those in the lungs, but it is a powerful antioxidant. Have you noticed DHEA helping women too? I have a slight concern as it only follows the male route of hormones, see the Genova Diagnostics flow chart. Meaning it will finally convert to testosterone. Excess testosterone in a woman will convert to oestrogen. Take care Wray
Mar 25, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Danny

Hi Wray,

I realized after I wrote that comment that, considering she is 62 and menopausal, she no longer has to worry about oestrogen issues. So the progesterone might be essentially useless, would it not? She also had breast cancer at one point and her doctor insisted that she stay away from any hormones of any kind. I told her about the N-acetyl cysteine and the Taurine and the doses you suggested. She used to take the N-AC but wasn't sure at what dose. She may try it again at the does you mention. Thanks for the tip! :)
Mar 28, 2015
 Question for Wray
by: Wray

Hi Danny Well you gave me a good laugh, I'm 67 and I will not be stopping progesterone at all! If you go on our site and read some of the menopausal stories, you'll see oestrogen is a serious issue. In fact this is an excellent page to read here. As for Cancer, that as you know is often an oestrogen issue, particularly breast cancer. These are two other pages on it you could read here and here. Progesterone opposes it if enough is used. The oestrogen mimics are a serious problem now, they are affecting all of us, men and women alike, not to mention the animals. If you'd like to read more, Our Stolen Future. is an excellent site. Take care Wray

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