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Perimenopause and pregnancy

by Dawn
(UK)

Hi, I am 37 years old and I have suffered with a number of symptoms for the last two and half years that have made my life hell. I originally started with bad anxiety which subsided after a few months. I was left with brain fog, fuzzy head feeling, severe fatigue, intrusive thoughts, just not feeling right.

I then had ten months of non-stop bleeding with an odd day off here and there. I also had cystic acne on my jawline and neck, oedema in my legs, cracked heels and I was losing a lot of hair. My mum and grandma went through the menopause early - 41 and 38 so I wouldn’t if it was that. I also felt so much worse before my period.

I had my copper coil removed at the end of August and got pregnant that night. It was a big surprise as I don’t think I was ovulating with all the bleeding. I had about three weeks of feeling much better, but the last 2-3 weeks I have felt really bad again - brain fog, head pressure, exhaustion, intrusive thoughts.

My last blood test results before I got pregnant were progesterone 1 nm/ol and oestrodial 247 pm/ol. I did try estrogel for 6 weeks before getting pregnant and the anxiety returned.

Has anyone got any ideas of what is wrong? Will I feel any better later on in my pregnancy?

Thanks

Dawn

Comments for Perimenopause and pregnancy

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Oct 26, 2018
 Peri-Menopause and pregnancy
by: Joy

Hi Dawn

Your adverse symptoms are caused by Estrogen Dominance. You are also in Peri-Menopause which can be a difficult time for most women.

Hormones can go crazy when pregnant. The body produces a good amount of progesterone while pregnant. Please read the Pregnancy page. As your adverse symptoms have returned I suggest that you try using a progesterone cream, between 100-200mg is needed. Please read the How to use Progesterone Cream page.

Vitamin D3 is very important not only for you but also for your unborn child. A deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone, optimal range is between 70-100ng/mL. Nothing less than 5,000iu's is needed daily. Co-factors are needed when taking D3, magnesium and vitamin K2 with no soy are the important ones.
Nov 10, 2018
 Problems in pregnancy
by: Anonymous

Thanks for your reply Joy.

I felt much better for the next two weeks after your reply. I wonder whether this was due to an increase in progesterone due to pregnancy.

Unfortunately on Thursday at our 12 week scan we got some very bad news. The baby has a cystic mygroma and it has a 70% of having downs, Edwards or Patau syndrome. We have to face the realistic prospect that we may need to terminate the pregnancy. On top of the hell I'm going through waiting two weeks for a cvs test to determine whether the baby has a chromosome defect, I am very concerned about my own mental health if we do terminate. Obviously my hormones will plummet and I will be dealing with the grief of losing a baby I wanted so much.

How much progesterone cream would you recommend using now and how much if we have to terminate? This all sounds terrible, but I’m just trying to prepare myself as best I can.

Thanks again,

Dawn xx
Nov 12, 2018
 Problems in Pregnancy
by: Joy

Hi Dawn

I am so sorry to hear this news. You will have to experiment to see what amount suits you best. I suggest 100mg and see how you get on with that, you may need to increase to 200mg.

Best wishes.
Nov 19, 2018
 Medical termination
by: Anonymous

Hi Joy,

Thank you again for your messages. It has unfortunately been confirmed today that the baby has a severe chromosome abnormality and we will have to terminate.

I’m scheduled to take mifepristone on Wednesday which I believe will reduce progesterone to stop the pregnancy. Two days later I will be admitted to hospital to be induced.

As well as the obvious devastation, I am also worried about the effect mifepristone will have on me as it blocks progesterone.

Just wondering what your advice would be? I have received the NatPro but not started using it yet. Do you think I’ll be ok having the mifepristone or would you suggest asking for a surgical abortion? If I do have the mifepristone, will I be ok if I start using NatPro after?

Thanks again,

Dawn
Nov 20, 2018
 Medical termination
by: Joy

Hi Dawn

So sorry to hear about the baby. I am not sure what the better option is, mifepristone or a surgical abortion. Have you asked your doctor?

Natpro should be fine to use should you opt for mifepristone, but again confirm with your doctor.

Take care.
Nov 20, 2018
 Termination
by: Anonymous

Thanks Joy for getting back to me. I will consult my doctor. Would you suggest only starting the NatPro once I have had the termination?

Thanks again.
Nov 21, 2018
 Termination
by: Joy

Hi Dawn

I see no reason why you shouldn't start using progesterone now, but again, please confirm with your doctor.

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