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Progesterone and breastfeeding

by Tiffany
(Texas )

Wray,

I am curious what research you have regarding nursing and its effects on progesterone levels. I just weaned my third child and began to have many of the same symptoms I had after I weaned my last child (aches, anxiety, depression, etc). I began using progesterone cream and eventually recovered last time. I was told last time that my symptoms didnt have anything to do with ending breastfeeding. My infant is 9 months old and now that he is weaned and I have the same symptoms I did before I am concerned that it is related to the weaning. My understanding is that because breastfeeding suppression ovulation, it also suppresses progesterone production. Which is okay while nursing because of all the oxytocin and prolactin. But then those stop and I am left with low progesterone levels. I am currently supplementing my progesterone, and taking omega 3's, magnesium, vitamin d, c, b's. what do you think about this plan and what do you think about the relationship between nursing and progesterone production?

Comments for Progesterone and breastfeeding

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Oct 25, 2012
 Progesterone and breastfeeding
by: Wray

Hi Tiffany You are right, there is a huge shift in hormones after weaning. As there is after giving birth, which is when many women get post natal depression. Mine started about 2 months after having my daughter, whom I breast fed for 3 years, with tiredness, followed by extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, crying, rages, the list goes on! It's the sharp drop in progesterone which causes this. It didn't occur with you it seems, but now that the oxytocin has dropped, the lack of progesterone is making itself felt. High Prolactin suppresses progesterone production, so too does oxytocin, see here, here, here, here, here and here. But at least this hormone does have a 'feel good' element to it. So the protocol you've given yourself is excellent. Please make sure you use enough progesterone, I recommend 100-200mg/day, more if symptoms are severe. There's more info about this on our page How to use progesterone cream. And please make sure you're taking enough vitamin D. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Take care Wray
Oct 25, 2012
 Thank you!
by: Tiffany

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Interestingly, I have found lots of women online telling stories of depression, etc. after weaning but most of them resolved as soon as their cycle returned. My symptoms didn't do that in the past, however I have had to take progesterone with all three of my pregnancies to prevent miscarriage, so it seems that my cycle returning wouldn't help anything, as I don't make enough progesterone in a normal cycle. Combine that with suppressed progesterone during nursing and I am a mess! It's very interesting and unfortunate there isn't more research available to women so that they don't feel so nuts. Hope this story helps someone.

Would you recommend breaking up the progesterone dose? Twice a day?
Oct 26, 2012
 Thank you!
by: Wray

Hi Tiffany Pleased it helped you. There is very little info 'out there', women's problems are generally dismissed, usually by a indifferent 'it's all in your head' or worse 'pull yourself together'. There are 4 million women in the States who suffer PMS every month. Is it really in our heads? Not to mention those going through post natal depression, or Peri-menopause and Menopause. None of them need suffer. Yes, progesterone needs to be used a minimum of twice a day, more often if symptoms are severe. Some use it hourly for help. If you're a 'mess!', you might like to look through our Anxiety page, it gives a list of nutrients which all help. Please have a vitamin D test done, this does help depression, anxiety, aches and pains and much more. It's such a vital nutrient, needed by every cell to function normally. Take care Wray
May 01, 2017
 Progesterone for milk supply?
by: Anonymous

Will added progesterone help with low milk supply?
Jul 10, 2017
 How do people wean off progesterone cream?
by: Anonymous

Hello,

I am about to start 20mg/day of natural progesterone cream. I have a 19 month old that I still nurse once in the morning and before bed. The pharmacist recommended applying the cream topically to the inner thighs after breastfeeding at night. I suffer from brain fog, insomnia, feeling low/hopeless, low libido, and weight gain (15lb in 6 months) since giving birth and since weaning off domperidone, a lactation aid that I took for nearly a year to help with milk production.

If I start the progesterone cream, how would I know to wean off it, or is this something I am to take forever? I am 42.

Thank you,
Vancouver Mama.
Jul 11, 2017
 Progesterone for milk supply
by: Joy

Perhaps this page may help you:

Progesterone and conception

Take care.
Jul 11, 2017
 How to people wean off progesterone??
by: Joy

I am afraid you have not been advised on how to use progesterone correctly. You are about to add to your Estrogen Dominance symptoms by using 20mg and what is the concentration of that cream? If not correct it will merely aggravate your estrogen receptors making your brain fog etc even worse. Using this amount will also add to your weight gain.

I have never heard of anything so ridiculous as to rub the cream in your inner thighs after breastfeeding, what will that achieve? The correct progesterone cream can be rubbed anywhere on the body.

Progesterone therapy is a life long commitment, once you stop all your estrogen symptoms will return. You are also in Peri-Menoapuse when progesterone is very much needed as levels are now dropping. It can be a torrid time for most women, but it need not be with the correct use of progesterone.

What is your Vitamin D3 level as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone and is connected to every single cell in our bodies making it vital. Co-factors are needed especially Magnesium Glycinate as this will help with sleep and is best taken at night.

Please read the following pages and the study references papers:

How to use Progesterone Cream
Estrogen Dominance
Peri-Menopause
Menopause
Vitamin D3
Magnesium

I hope that this has helped you.
Aug 07, 2022
 Taking progesterone for postpartum depression while breastfeeding
by: Anonymous

Hi,
I’m experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms. I have mood swings, feelings of anger/rage, fatigue, loss of motivation to do many things, feeling so sad, and very anxious. I have taken progesterone before for PMS. I cannot find any solid information on taking progesterone while breastfeeding and the effects it can have such as supply issues?
Aug 08, 2022
 Taking progesterone for postpartum depression while breastfeeding
by: Joy

Hi there

There is so much information on this website about this. If you use the search bar you will find so much on the subject. Here is a good page to read, see here. Try and get hold of some of Dr Daltons books if you are concerned. She was the queen of progesterone, pregnancy and the benefits of progesterone and breastfeeding. The Pregnancy page is also very informative.

Best wishes to you and hope things improve for you soon.

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