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My progesterone deficiency story and query re dosage of natpro

by Mona
(London, UK)

I am a 35 year old female, and my history is that in 2009 I suffered from secondary amenorrhea for 9 months. The Dr put me on meliane to regulate my periods, which I stayed on for 3 years, and indeed my periods were regular during this time. However 8 months ago I started experiencing breakthrough bleeding even when on the pill. 5 months ago I came off the pill, as I did not want to be on artificial hormones long-term and also want to shortly start trying for a baby. I was however very worried that my amenorrhea would start up again after I came off the pill, so I was delighted when I got 2 periods, on schedule for the 2 months following stopping meliane. However they again stopped 3 months ago. As the gynaecologists here are not proactive in the least, I researched the internet to find out which blood tests I should do, and while most of the results were normal I pinpointed the problems as being that my progesterone was 0.02 and estriadol was 204, and from this I self-diagnosed myself as estrogen dominant. I also had an ultrasound test and have a 2.5 follicular cyst.

With these results I went back to one of the gynaecologists who prescribed me duphaston for 21 days. I queried that I had read on the net that creams are better and the oral synthetics do more harm than good, but she disagreed, and as the internet had also said that the progesterone therapy must be done in consultation with your dr as it is a tricky balance to get right, I felt no option but to start on the medication she was prescribing. I have now completed the 21 days, and regret doing so and do not intend to start the next cycle, as both my own side effects of water retention and weight gain, and what I’ve read on the net, makes me convinced that natural remedies are the answer. To that end as of yesterday, based on net reading, I have started taking a teaspoon of turmeric every day, and have also bought a bought a bottle of Vitex (chasteberry) though I wanted your views before starting it (the Drs here have scoffed at the idea of using a herb to regulate hormones, but I don’t place much faith in what they do and don’t endorse anymore). I would also like to start a progesterone cream, but I am unclear on which ones to get - Natpro seems the best in terms of ingredients but I do not understand why you advise 100-200 mg per day when other websites prescribe 20 -30 mg per day?

My main queries are 1) What could have caused such low progesterone levels either in 2009 (though it was never tested then), or now, since I follow a healthy pescatarian diet, I exercise, and have no more or less stress than before the amenorrhea started. 2) Which progesterone cream should I get, and what is the dosage/frequency I should apply it as? 3) If and when my progesterone levels rise to normal do I still keep using the cream? 4) What are your views on Vitex, and should I take either Vitex OR the cream, or both together? I have read that one must not take Vitex when on progesterone therapy but was unclear as to whether that applied to synthetic therapy or natural cream therapy as well?

Would be so grateful to hear from you as I feel alone in this journey (my weight is ballooning despite a healthy diet, and I am v concerned about future fertility implications, as may be marrying soon) since none of the Drs here seem to have done right by me, be it from never testing my progesterone to prescribing me synthetic progestin!

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Nov 04, 2013
 My progesterone deficiency story and query re dosage of natpro
by: Wray

Hi Mona It’s so extraordinary how doctors will give a Contraceptive to correct any bleeding issues. Be it heavy bleeding, none at all or erratic cycles. Of course it will correct the cycle, by forcing the body to follow a 28 day cycle, then forcing it to bleed ‘on time’. None of this is natural, you might like to read our page on Menstruation for more info. I’m really puzzled by your progesterone level, was it really that low? 0.2ng/ml yes, but I’ve never seen 0.02ng/ml, labs don’t take the test that low. If it really is 0.02ng/ml then your ratio in 0.01:1, if it’s 0.2ng/ml then it would still be remarkably low at 0.1:1. Duphaston is preferred by doctors, as it’s a patented drug, not natural. I’m pleased you’ve stopped it. Duphaston contains dydrogesterone, a synthetic progestin. But because it's a progestin, it's not broken down into the normal progesterone metabolites. This is something which is never taken into account by doctors prescribing progestins. The metabolites are as important as progesterone itself. In particular allopregnanolone, a potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic. For more info on progestins see here. (Scroll down to the second link on Google to see the full pdf article entitled "Classification and pharmacology of progestins"). There is a section on dydrogesterone. Most of the women who use progesterone do so without the help of their doctor, many can’t afford one! Turmeric is extremely good, but vitex? There’s no question it helps with PMS, mastalgia, menstrual irregularities, etc, many studies have been done in Germany, obviously not filtered through to the UK! It can also reduce prolactin levels, prolactin is an inflammatory hormone which can cause tender breasts, see here. It can help with luteal phase dysfunction, with subsequent problems in embryo implantation, see here. But because it has a mild oestrogenic action, levels of 17 beta-oestradiol can increase. One study found mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in the luteal phase, see here. Continued below.
Nov 04, 2013
 My progesterone deficiency story and query re dosage of natpro Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Mona If Prolactin levels are high both progesterone and the amino acid tyrosine are very affective at suppressing it. The only reason I advise more progesterone, is it works. Our website site is littered with complaints about progesterone, all due to using too little. I learnt about the high amounts from Dr Dalton, who practiced in Harley Street before her death. She gave of her time freely to me, knowing the work I was doing. As you’re interested in falling pregnant, please read this page here. We also have another on Pregnancy. Amenorrhea can be caused by so many things, were you stressed, this stops ovulation? Has anyone checked for PCOS? High oestrogen, testosterone, LH and FSH can suppress progesterone. Have you had a vitamin D test done, this is critical to health, particularly reproductive health. A lack of it reduces the benefits of progesterone. I would obviously prefer you to use Natpro. A naturopath in the UK runs Saliva Tests for us, you’ll see the progesterone is absorbed well, the level shoots up, giving a ratio of 600:1 and more. I can’t tell you how much to apply, it is a question of trial and error. But I would ask you to contact Julienne via her website here. She can give you more advice on both progesterone and vitamin D. Fish is a healthy option, but do you eat grains? Legumes? Sweet starchy fruits and root veggies? All these will cause weight gain. Please try the Ketogenic Diet, it can be incorporated around fish very easily. Take care Wray

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