Menu

Progesterone for postpartum and breastfeeding

by Maria
(USA)

Hi Wray,
I have symptoms of estrogen dominance and am currently pregnant. Can I use progesterone cream right after giving birth? I plan on breastfeeding as well and am not sure on dosage and how long I should be on a progesterone cream?
Thanks

Comments for Progesterone for postpartum and breastfeeding

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 21, 2020
 Progesterone for postpartum and breastfeeding
by: Joy

Hi Maria

You certainly can use progesterone cream after giving birth. You should actually use it while pregnant. Please read the
Pregnancy page. Between 100-200mg progesterone per day is needed, the How to use Progesterone Cream page will help you to understand more, it also explains about pregnancy and the use of progesterone.

Progesterone therapy is a lifelong commitment. If you are thinking of stopping after birth then I suggest that you see how you feel after a few months then decide whether you wish to stop or continue. Not many women stop using progesterone, but if you are fortunate enough not to experience any adverse symptoms then give it a try. You certainly will not be doing any harm by using it.
Jan 26, 2022
 Progesterone/pregnancy
by: Special Needs Mom

Hi there. I have been taking progesterone for 2 years for estrogen dominance. My necessary dose was 100mg daily before getting pregnant. During pregnancy I have been taking 200mg daily. I am now in my 35th week and thinking I should stop to support my bodies natural birth process. As if the progesterone might delay my bodies timing to give birth.
During this pregnancy I have also developed sub clinical hypothyroid. My numbers look normal on labs but before thyroid meds they were high for me compared to years past.
Also, I have been given 400mg to take immediately post partum to help prevent post partum depression. I have not had it with my other births but with hypothyroidism I do struggle with melancholy and inability to do anything some days:/

Question 1: Will I likely become estrogen dominant again in these weeks before birth if I stop progesterone? Could taking progesterone through birth cause a delay in labor?

Question 2: Could I have caused my own hypothyroidism by supplementing with progesterone these past 2 years? Drs don't have my treatment just right yet, still figuring out what my thyroid needs.
Jan 27, 2022
 Special Needs Mom
by: Joy

Please just clear something up. When you say taking progesterone, would that be oral or are you using a cream?

If oral, please reconsider and they are not the best delivery method as around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver see here and read the Delivery Method page.

I don't recommend that you stop using progesterone now. Where did you get your information about stopping the use of progesterone to support the natural birth process and delaying the bodies timing to give birth? Please could you provide references relating to this. Many thanks. If anything it will help you so much. Sadly there are many Misconceptions about progesterone, usually by uninformed people.


I really do not think that 400mg after birth is necessary. I suggest sticking to 200mg per day and see how you get on. Why take that amount when you may not need it? If at any stage you feel that you are battling then increase. Find a level that suits you. Of course at the end of the day that choice is yours. If you are taking oral progesterone you will need to take a lot more than 400mg.

Question 1: Yes you will, the moment progesterone therapy is stopped, estrogen works at becoming the dominant hormone again. I have already answered your question about progesterone delaying labour. I have never heard of such a thing which is why I am asking you to provide supporting study papers supporting this.

Question 2: No, progesterone actually helps with all thyroid problems. You would probably be in a far worse state had you not supplemented.

Regarding your thyroid. I find it odd that your doctor can't work out the best treatment for you. Have you had your iodine and selenium levels tested? This is so important as they help support our thyroid. Another very important nutrient is Vitamin D3. It helps the thyroid great​ly,​ in fact it is vital.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Benefits of progesterone.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...