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Prometrium?

by Suzy G.
(Pasadena)

I'm so confused. I've been reading a book called "The Natural Hormone Makeover" by Phuli Cohan and I'm learning a lot but I'm still confused.

Is Prometrium natural? Is it bio-identical? Or is it synthetic? In my google searches I find conflicting information about this.

When my periods were lasting 3 weeks, my Dr. put me on the pill to regulate me. It regulated my periods, but gave me migraines. After 6 months, I begged him for an alternative. He then prescribed me Prometrium, 200mg. nightly 15 days after my period starts, for 2 weeks. I still got migraines but a little less severe.

I have all the perimenopause issues--insomnia, exhaustion, moody, depressed, weight gain, bloated. I feel terrible.

I just ordered Natpro. Is it "more natural" than the Prometrium my Dr. prescribed?

Thank you to anyone that might be able to help me.

Comments for Prometrium?

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Jan 11, 2022
 Prometrium?
by: Joy

Hi Suzy G

Yes it can be very confusing.  The confusion arises from misinformed people giving advice.  I always say be careful of blogs and the web in general, this would also include information given by some doctors who have no idea how progesterone works!  You will find all the correct answers here, on this website.  Progesterone Therapy has been going for nearly 30 years now. There is virtually nothing that has not been discussed about progesterone.

Prometrium is safe, it's a natural progesterone. But are you taking the oral version or suppositories? 96% of oral progesterone is destroyed by the gut and liver as it passes through, so is not very effective, see here. The cream, suppository or injection route is much more effective. Please read Delivery Methods. If oral, this is why you are experiencing adverse symptoms.  You are not getting enough progesterone and merely aggravating estrogen receptors, read the Estrogen Dominance page.  I am pleased that you will be trying Natpro which is a 3.33% cream.  If used correctly you will notice a big difference. All explained on the How to use Progesterone Cream page.  Usually between 100-200mg per day is needed, more if symptoms are severe.  You will have to experiment to see what suits you best.  Use half in the morning and the other half at night.  Never use progesterone just once a day, this causes level to spike. This has been explained many times on the forum.

Trying rubbing Natpro on the back of your neck and up the side of your temples as progesterone is an excellent anti-inflammatory this should ease the pain a little.  So many things cause Headaches, one of them is due to hormones.

Why do doctors insist on the Contraceptive Pill? It blows my mind.  Just read up on the side effects, it's simply not worth it.  If you are in Peri-Menopause which starts at around 35 you should be using progesterone every single date with no breaks anyway.  Periods become irregular during this time making it difficult to use by following your cycle. 

What is your Vitamin D3 level?  It should be optimal at all times.  A deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone and is connected to every single functioning cell in our bodies.  It is vital as are the co-factors mentioned.  

I hope that you achieve positive results soon.
Jan 21, 2022
 Thank you
by: Suzy

Thank you so much for your answer! You are so kind to take the time to help us in our quest for health and relief! I am using the cream and seeing the benefits. I feel more energy, motivation, and less depression. I am so thankful! I love this cream and site.
Jan 22, 2022
 Thank you
by: Joy

Hi Suzy

​I am so pleased that you are benefiting from progesterone, it does work if used correctly. Remember that a few things can cause progesterone levels to drop like ​st​ress and a vitamin D3 deficiency. You may notice that symptoms will return. Just increase the amount of progesterone being used until the stressful period is over.
Feb 28, 2022
 Question
by: Suzy G

I accidently left one of my bottles of Nat Pro in front of a little space heater for a while. It now seems to have granules of something that feels like salt in it, so it definitely had an affect. Do you know if it still works, gives me the progesterone, or did I ruin this bottle? I need to know if I should throw this out and start a new bottle. Thank you so much, Suzy
Feb 28, 2022
 Question
by: Joy

​Hi Suzy G

I honestly do not think that you have caused any damage. When they make the cream it needs intense heat in order to dissolve the progesterone. Perhaps the granules come from damage to the dispenser. Why don't you experiment and continue to use it. If your​​ symptoms return, then you know the answer.

Please report back here so that others know the outcome. Information like this is so helpful to others. I can also feed this info back to the department concerned.
Oct 18, 2022
 progesterone question
by: Anonymous

My daughter was diagnosed with PCOS. Her physician gave her Prometrium orally. She accidentally took it every day instead of cyclically. She also is currently in a flair of acne that is the reason she started progesterone to begin with. Her progesterone levels tested normal according to her physician, but we thought this might help. I'm worried now. She said she's on day 23 of her cycle. I wondered if the progesterone was making her acne worse and as we talked about it I discovered she had been taking it every day. This kid has been through so much. Is her mistake going to cause her harm/mess up her cycle we have worked so hard to finally get regulated..?
Oct 20, 2022
 Progesterone question
by: Joy

It always hurts parents when we see out children suffering.  PCOS as well and Endometriosis and Fibroids are caused by oxidative stress.  Your daughter must address the Inflammation that she is obviously suffering from.  Eating fermented foods will help greatly with this but the page explains more in detail as to what else is needed.  Acne is common with those suffering from PCOS.  High testosterone levels and too much sugar in the diet can also cause it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your daughter taking it every day at all in fact it is probably needed.  However, the problem arises as Prometrium is oral and if you read up further down on this thread, all forms are oral progesterone is not the best delivery method as around 96% get destroy by the gut and liver as mentioned in the thread below.  So the very little progesterone that she was/is getting is aggravating estrogen receptors and making the situation worse. After saying that, even if using progesterone correctly it will cause a disruption to hormones etc as the body adjusts to it.  Progesterone should be used no less than twice a day.  Half the amount in the morning and the other half at night.  This prevents progesterone levels from spiking.  Didn't your doctor advise this?  Usually between 100-200mg progesterone CREAM is needed per day.  Please consider getting her to use a good organic cream such as Natpro which is a 3% cream.  Or break open the Prometrium capsule and mix with a good organic aqueous cream making sure that it equates to Natpro.

If your daughter has a regular cycle then progesterone must be used by following her cycle, her luteal phase, if not the cream should be used every day with NO breaks until the situation improves.  This can take 2-6 months as progesterone needs to become the dominant hormone and should stay dominant at all times, that is the purpose of progesterone therapy.  Please read How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance pages mentioned below.

What is her Vitamin D3 level?  It should be optimal at all times.  A deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone and is connected to every single functioning cell in our bodies including acne and PCOS.  It is vital that her level is optimal and the cofactors mentioned are very important when taking D3.

I hope this helps.  Following this routine will definitely help your daughter, however patience is needed.

Take care.

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