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progesterone cream with androcur and alesse?

Hi, i have been using progesterone cream for 6 months to treat symptoms of peri-menopause. Immediately after I began using it my depressed mood disappeared completely and the quality of my life went up dramatically :-)

I have been using roughly 160 - 240 mg per day, however, I still have moderate to severe acne. I've tried all the creams and OTC treatments including benzoyl peroxide, but my skin remains oily and I have terrible acne all over my chest, back, chin, and forehead.

My dermatologist has prescribed me Alesse combined with Androcur. I'm not sure, but I don't think Alesse is even a progesterone pill, but an estrogen pill? Plus, I read that androcur was being used to treat transgendered people as well as hirsutism!!

I am really worried about this because I don't have either of those issues. I have ever-so-slightly increased tiny blonde fuzz around my mouth due to the peri-menopause, but nothing like a beard!!

I also read that androcur will potentially cause depression and a decrease in libido, two things that my progesterone cream has successfully helped to treat!

Now that you have some background info, my real question is not whether or not I should take the alesse with the androcur, but *in the event that I DO take them* should I continue to use the progesterone cream? Or will it interact badly with the prescriptions?

Comments for progesterone cream with androcur and alesse?

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Jan 21, 2012
 Update: pimples can stay
by: Anonymous

Oh Ugh, ugh, ugh. NEVER MIND! Two days back on the bcp and I am MISERABLE!! Going back off and returning to my progesterone cream. No WAY am I giving up all the health, well being and vitality I finally found just to cure up some annoying acne. The pimples can stay if I have to lose my peace of mind in order to get rid of them.
Jan 22, 2012
 progesterone cream with androcur and alesse?
by: Wray

Hi there I'm delighted the progesterone has helped you, even more delighted you've been using such a high amount and altering the amount to suit. This is as it should be used. Alesse contains ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. This progestin is a 19-nortestosterone derivative, and can therefore have androgenising properties. Not really what you need with the acne, as it's high testosterone which causes it. Androcur is cyproterone acetate and is primarily used to treat prostate cancer, but it too has androgenising properties! See here. Plus another concern, it should not be taken with ethinyl estradiol (in the Alesse) as it may cause blood clotting problems, see here. The reasoning behind giving a contraceptive is it stops ovarian function. So little to no testosterone or oestrogen is made, but no progesterone, as it prevents ovulation. As this has already helped you, I would avoid the cocktail you've been offered and stick to the progesterone. This should help, although you might need to increase the amount. It does reduce testosterone levels, as it increases levels of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), see here. If levels of SHBG are low, it means more free testosterone is available, bound testosterone is inactive. But before increasing the amount of progesterone, please try avoiding all sugars, including those found in sweet, starchy fruits or veggies. Fructose, sucrose and glucose decrease SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. This increases levels of free testosterone, substantially in the case of fructose. A raw food diet will stop the acne, but it is not for everyone. The Paleo Diet is probably the best, as it's based on the food we used to eat as we evolved. Dr Cordain has found no evidence of Acne in people who still live this way. The links to his website and the raw food site can be found on our Nutrition page. Take care Wray

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