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Q - Oral Bio-Identical Progesterone

by Tracy
(Ohio)

I'm 47 and have been suffering from perimenopause symptoms for quite some time. Some days (or a week if I'm lucky) I feel wonderful and like myself, but most of the time I feel terrible and have to push through my days. I typically do not have a problem falling asleep, but often do not sleep soundly or I wake way too early (4am seems to be the magic number) and cannot get back to sleep.

My symptoms vary from month to month but I'm constantly tired, often foggy-brained, forgetful, and sometimes cannot articulate what I want to say. My energy level is so low most days that it makes me wonder if something is horribly wrong with me. I've had some mild depression, and also anxiety. I have mood swings and never know from morning to morning how I'm going to feel when I wake up... happy and ready to tackle the day, or angry at the world and hating everyone.

I'm still having regular cycles, exercise every day, and do not have a weight problem. All my bloodwork is perfect although I haven't had blood taken for hormone levels. My doctor wants to put me on bio-identical oral progesterone, 150mg a day every day except for the first 3 days of my period. He chose oral because he said it will help with sleep. Does this sound like the right solution?

Comments for Q - Oral Bio-Identical Progesterone

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May 31, 2018
 Q - Oral Bio-Identical Progesterone
by: Joy

Hi Tracy

Peri-Menopause can be a difficult time for most women. Progesterone levels drop and estrogen levels rise. Your foggy brain etc are caused by Estrogen Dominance. The correct use of a good progesterone cream will help you. Please read the How to use Progesterone Cream and Anxiety pages.

Any form of oral progesterone is not the best Delivery Method as 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver. If your cycle is regular then progesterone should be used during you luteal phase which starts from ovulation until bleeding. It is always, in all women, 12-14 days long.

If you find that the oral progesterone is not helping you, please consider using a cream.

Please make sure that your Vitamin D3 level is correct, a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone. Optimal range is between 70-100ng/mL.
May 31, 2018
 progesterone
by: Rachel

High cortisol will wake you about 4am. And high cortisol is linked with adrenal insufficiency, or adrenal fatigue. I have it too. Google adrenal fatigue and start doing adrenal cocktails if I were you.
Dr Axe writes about adrenal fatigue and I find his articles very informative. Maybe get your hormone levels tested and supplement with bio identical hormones?

Kind regards,
Rachel
Jun 04, 2018
 Natural anti anxiety/depressants supplements
by: Lory

Do you recommend taking all of these natural supplements or pick one?

I am currently taking 1500mg Taurine and 150mg of your progesterone cream, vitamin D per day. Interested in taking the inositol and choline. Can I add these to my regimen? I have most of the mental and physical symptoms of too much adrenaline.
Jun 05, 2018
 Surviving digestion
by: Anonymous

I’m very curious about your advice regarding oral progesterone. You advise that most of it will not survive the gut. However, you also advise against eating foods that contain natural estrogens, ie., soy. How does this estrogen survive the gut?
Jun 06, 2018
 Natural anti anxiety/depressants supplements
by: Joy

Hi Lory

There is nothing wrong in taking them all, but you could also take them one at a time and see if you notice a difference. You may not need to take them all. Taurine is good and I suggest taking Inositol and GABA and work from there. I really do not know much about choline.

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