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Progesterone Advice

by Terry
(US)

Hi Wray! I stumbled upon your website recently while researching progesterone therapy. I'm 46 years old and have been having some of the typical progesterone deficiency/perimenopausal symptoms for the last 4-5 years. I only recently realized that progesterone deficiency was probably my biggest problem.

About 2 1/2 years ago, I started experiencing hormonal acne (cystic type along the jawline.) My dermatologist suggested a Rx, Aldactone. I started taking the generic form, Spironolactone. It is a potassium sparing diuretic that blocks androgen receptors. I must say that it has been a wonder drug for clearing the hormonal acne. My concern is that it may be causing other problems including severely dry eyes, drier skin (Keratosis Pilaris is worse) and lack luster skin. My ob/gyn ordered the typical blood tests during my exam last year. It showed my estrogen levels being low. As expected, he wanted to prescribe HRT with estrogen (no mention of progesterone). Having a little knowledge of Bioidentical Hormones, I wanted to do more research before starting estrogen. I'm glad I did! I believe I have estrogen dominance due to low progesterone. In fact, I got a saliva test (done on day 19 of my cycle) and it showed my progesterone level at 20. My estrogen and testosterone levels were within normal range. My concern with the day I took the saliva test is that my periods are irregular... sometimes every 3 weeks and sometimes skipping 2-3 months. I've read that spironolactone can cause irregular periods, but not sure if that is causing my problem or if perimenopause is the culprit. I stopped the spironolactone 2 days before the saliva test. I've been on Zoloft (currently 150 mg/day) for about 15 years for major depression and 75 mg/day of trazodone for sleep (since starting the Zoloft.) I have to wonder if progesterone deficiency could have been the problem all along. I've had increased stress AND anxiety over the last couple of years. I tend to over react to little things and don't know if the Zoloft is really helping anymore anyway.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I wanted you to have a clear picture of my situation. One more thing, my cholesterol is also very high but I refuse to go on Rx cholesterol lowering meds. I have also experienced increased fatigue, joint aches, aging skin, slight weight gain around the waist/thighs, and low libido over the past 2-3 years. I know I'm no spring chicken, but all this seems to have happened so suddenly!

So... my questions for you are:
1) Should I try to get my periods on a regular schedule by using progesterone cream everyday and then test levels? Or should I go with the saliva test results I got and only use the last 14 days of my cycle? If so, what dosage do you recommend if I purchase the Natpro?
2) Do you think getting my progesterone levels up and balanced would solve the cystic hormonal acne problem so I can stop taking spironolactone?
3) Do you think the progesterone cream would help with the other symptoms I've described? I've heard that getting hormones balanced can also help with lower cholesterol. What do you think?

Thanks for your response! I'm so glad to have found your site! I look forward to learning more.

Comments for Progesterone Advice

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Sep 09, 2010
 Skin care line
by: Suzanna

Terry,

I had the same problems occur with my face (lower jawline and neck) about 1 year ago. I couldn't understand what was happening to my skin. I had been using Dr. Hauschka for 2 years with excellent results, however; at that point I realized my skin was no longer exfoliating on it's own. I learned about an all natural organic skincare line in Whole Foods called Skin Organics out of Austin, TX - www.skinorganicsaw.com. This line has retinol in it, which Wray will advise you to be careful of (VItamin A specifically) because of it's link to cancer. However, my understanding of Vitamin A is the dosage being used. The lady that found this line has a son that was diagnosed with cancer, her goal with this line it to make it as pure as possible.

Once I began using the Be Acne Free line by Skin Organics (April 2010) my skin immediately got better. Rarely do I get a breakout. I also began (October 2009) using about 1/4 tsp of Natpro twice a day everyday and have had great results. In addition, I drink tons of water and green tea, take Vitamin D, Evening Primrose Oil, Omega 3's, CO Enzyme Q10, Vitamin C and a wonderful organic multi for women over 40.

I hope all this helps.
Sep 10, 2010
 Progesterone Advice
by: Wray

Hi Terry Thanks for the kind words! Acne in peri-menopause is not unusual, for more info please see our page on Acne. Spironalactone suppresses aldosterone (so does progesterone) and is also called an antiandrogen (as is progesterone), but it does have some androgenic acitivity. Please see here. For a list of adverse side affects please see here. It can cause gynecomastia in men, where it's used to suppress testosterone in prostate cancer, BHP etc. But by suppressing testosterone, oestrogen begins to rise, hence the breast enlargement. Although this hasn't been detected in woman, it could be our breasts are much larger to begin with and so goes unnoticed. Excess oestrogen causes dry eyes, Sjogren's syndrome is severe dry eyes and mouth, oestrogen is always presents at high levels. Please see here here. Progesterone is excellent for the skin, please see here. Depression and anxiety can be helped by many natural substances, including progesterone. For more info please see our page on Anxiety. I'm relieved you turned down the HRT! Please see our page on HRT. It is difficult to know whether it's peri-menopause or the spironolactone causing the irregular periods. Please see our page on Peri-menopause. I generally recommend 100-200mg/day, but judging by your symptoms you could do with the higher amount initially and use it daily. But please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance first. I also believe you have very low vitamin D levels, please have a test done, see here. Depression, anxiety, sleep, skin problems, and above all high cholesterol point to it. Please see here. A lack of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone. Take care Wray
Sep 10, 2010
 what is the tube or container made of
by: jody

I am new to this site as I stumbled on it - since there is a concern about plastic containers and the chemicals that leach from them, I would like to know what type of material is the container made of w/Natpro in it - I've been told glass containers are better but there are very few glass containers w/natural progesterone in them - I want to try Natpro but I am being cautious about what the containers/tubes are made of - thanks for any help on this matter - I like the contents of this product and the amount of progesterone in it per tube.
Sep 19, 2010
 Skin care line
by: Wray

Hi Suzzana Thanks for the comments and links too, it all helps! And yes I would caution against retinol in any form, mainly because of the work done by the EWG and the Vitamin D council, please read these two papers here and here. Take care Wray
Sep 19, 2010
 what is the tube or container made of
by: Wray

Hi Jody You echo my concern too, there are three safe plastics. HDPE, LDPE and PP, while PET is safe for single use only, for more info please see the Green Guide, Our Stolen Future and EWG. websites. The tube we use is made from LDPE, we do put the number 4 inside the recycle logo on the tube too. Glass is the best, but it's so breakable it's difficult to use via the post. Take care Wray

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