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Recurring polyp & fibroids

by RM
(Brooklyn, NY USA)

Hi all,
37 y/o female here no kids (yet, I am hopeful)...I am so happy to have found this site. I've been following the work of Ray Peat for about 8 years. The cessation of birth control initiated a cascade of issues that led me to believe I suffer from hypothyroidism--thinning hair, low body temp & pulse, dry skin, etc... What came first I don't know but I am grateful for the revelations that followed about Western medicine's approach to women's health, health in general--only addressing the symptoms and never the underlying issue or not looking at the system as a whole. I'm still struggling with symptoms and have experimented with both thyroid and progesterone but I think I was probably under-dosing. Last year I experienced breakthrough bleeding (spotting) mid month for about 6 months before finally getting in to see a doctor. An ultrasound found polyps, I had a D&C. The symptoms resolved but now almost a year to the exact date of my surgery the spotting has come back. A new ultrasound has found the polyp returned along with a couple of small fibroids:

There is a 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.7 centimeter fibroid within the anterior aspect of the uterus. There is a 1.1 x 0.8 x 1.2 centimeters fibroid within the posterior aspect of the uterus.

Mildly echogenic structure within the left ovary probably representing a hemorrhagic cyst versus dermoid. Please correlate clinically.

I am prepared to hear a similar treatment plan (D&C) and I know they often prescribe birthcontrol for these issues which I will never, ever go back on. I'd like to experiment with progesterone again. I have been scouring the forums here to get a clear idea of a protocol and wondered if you could clarify for me--given the recurring polyp & fibroids, the spotting mid month (I am still having 'regular' periods albeit they're a little more uncomfortable) Would you suggest using progesterone continuously throughout my cycle for a while or only in the luteal phase? Not sure if I'm considered a severe case or not, I am not bleeding heavily. Start at 200 mg? Thanks in advance for any insight, much appreciated!! And good luck to everyone on their health journeys!

Comments for Recurring polyp & fibroids

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Nov 19, 2021
 Recurring polyp & fibroids
by: Joy

Hi RM

Ray Peat gives excellent advice on health. We often give links to his website. It was through Ray Peat that Dr Lee learnt about the benefits of progesterone.  I find his work fascinating.

You are in Peri-Menopause which starts at around 35 when progesterone levels drop sharply and estrogen remains the same.  Erratic periods are most common during this time.  Heavy/Continual Bleeding/Spotting usually happens too. D&C's are so evasive.  Progesterone does the job perfectly without any side effects.  It clears out the estrogen build up in the uterus.  Why doctors don't get this is beyond me. This is the time that doctors like to suggest hysterectomies which again, is usually not necessary unless there is something sinister going on. Most of your adverse symptoms indicate Estrogen Dominance.

Fibroids are caused from oxidative stress and unless the Inflammation is dealt with they will keep returning.  Progesterone helps to absorb the smaller fibroids but unfortunately surgery is often required for larger ones.

I am pleased that you do not want to go the birth control route again.  All drug based Contraceptives have a potential to cause harm.

I suggest you try 200mg progesterone every day with no breaks, until things settle down.  Once your cycle returns to normal then use the cream by following your cycle  i.e.  your luteal phase. You might like to read the Pregnancy page if you have been TTC.  If you have not done so already, the How to use Progesterone Cream page is very helpful.

DO you know what your Vitamin D3 level is?  A deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone, it is also vital for every functioning cell in our bodies.
Nov 19, 2021
 Thankyou!
by: RM

Thank-you so so much for your incredibly thoughtful reply. That all makes so much sense and gives me hope. I am unsure about my D levels but would not be surprised with Winter looming in the Northeast that I am deficient. Thank-you again, I really appreciate it!!
Nov 19, 2021
 Thank You
by: Joy

Hi RM

Thank you for your kind words. Please get your D3 level tested, it's important. Using this thread, let us know how you get on.

Take care.
Nov 20, 2021
 Dosage?
by: RM

Hi there,
Thank-you again so much for taking the time to answer questions!
I am using up a bottle of Health Natura's Simply Progesterone and realizing the concentration % is different which as I understand it might affect the 200 mg dose? I think I worked it out that it's about 8.4% concentration by volume?

32ml bottle / 3mg progesterone per drop / 2,700mg prog per bottle

Would I still aim to hit 200mg by calculating how many drops/dropper full that would equate, if there's 3 mg per drop?

I think I'm confusing myself, oof math!

Thank-you again!!
Nov 21, 2021
 Dosage
by: Justine

Hello RM,

As Joy has suggested using 200mg to help balance your system out, you would need to use 66.6 drops, (so 66 or 67 drops) of the Natura Simply Progesterone (as each drop delivers 3mg). You would use 33 in the morning and the other 33 at night before bed.

Warm regards,
Justine
Nov 21, 2021
 Thanks!!
by: RM

Thank-you Justine!!
Nov 29, 2021
 When to start?
by: RM

Hi Joy,
Hope all is well. Had a follow up appointment regarding my ultrasound and to say they were less than helpful is accurate. I am not surprised. They aren’t concerned at the moment, did not think it necessary to do any bloodwork and told me the Mirena IUD is an option for treatment. Again, all things I knew they’d say but it’s still baffling. I had waited to start my new bottle of Natpro on the chance they did bloodwork. Now I am eager to get started. I know you recommend using it for a few months throughout the entirety of my cycle—my question is is there a better time to begin taking it or any day of my cycle is okay? I am also having regular periods, will this stop them or will i experience my regular period? Thanks again for all your guidance!
Nov 29, 2021
 When to start?
by: Joy

Hi RM

I am very well thank you. I think that you know my feelings towards most medical doctors, it's something that I really battle with!

Apart from the Mirena being an 'easy' way out, it has major side effects see here. To my mind it is probably one of the worst contraceptives. You might like to read these comments here from women who have used the Mirena. There are 3 things that will always be suggested - antibiotics, anti-depressants and birth control. They NEVER look into natural progesterone or vitamin D3 which also helps fibroids to shrink by the way see here. I have explained just how important D3 is. Best I leave it here regarding doctors, you know my thoughts.

You are dealing with fibroids and they need to be addressed as mentioned above. Please use progesterone every day with no breaks until things improve for you. Once that happens, then use by following your cycle i.e. your luteal phase especially if you are TTC. Do bear in mind that soon your periods will become erratic due to peri-menopause, progesterone should be used every day with no breaks when that occurs as it will become rather difficult to use by following an erratic cycle.

Progesterone will disrupt things when first using it so expect 'strange' things to take place usually some of the adverse symptoms listed on the Estrogen Dominance page. You may of course be on of the extremely few who do not experience this.

I wish you well with your progesterone journey.
Feb 20, 2022
 I need your help related to serious fibroids issue
by: Ivelina

Hello!

My name is Ivelina and I am 36 years old. I had a surgery last June for a removal of five fibroids after which I was told that I have adenomyosis. After the surgery I had two normal menstrual cycles, but since October my period started coming on the 17th day mostly and I was bleeding outside the period (the first few times with 3-5 clean days after the period, the without any). This January I had two periods in which on the 5th day the blood was increasing, including big clots and this was for several days until I a medicine to reduce the bleeding. The second time this happened I had a hysteroscopy (two weeks ago) to stop the bleeding. I was told that I have two new fibroids which can be removed only with another laparoscopic surgery.... :( ... It is too soon after my other surgery a few months ago.... I do not want this to happen, I would not take any injections to stop my periods since there is no point in them...

In the last several years I have made a lot of changes in my diet, environment and way of life which have helped me with other chronic health conditions.

This January I tested my serum estradiol on the 3rd day of my cycle and it was 1800 pmol/l which is extremely high. On the 14th day of the same cycle I tested both Estradiol (558.400 pmol/l) and Progesterone (30.08 nmol/l).

I made a test for the estrogen metabolites as well.

I would like to ask you about something that has been really hard for me to figure out. I am estrogen dominant, I obviously need natural progesterone, but I have read studies and I have listened to various integrative/functional medicine doctors that fibroids have lots of receptors both for estrogen and progesterone which means that if I take progesterone I will make them grow! :( .... This is the thing making me stay away and running like a hamster not knowing what to do.

Will the Serrapeptase enzyme help me in healing from the fibroids? If yes, how to take it without causing or worsening an existing bleeding?

Thank you!


Feb 21, 2022
 Recurring polyp & fibroids
by: Joy

Hi Ivelina

I am not going to explain about Fibroids as it's already been discussed on the thread. I can tell you that progesterone does NOT make fibroids grown, quite the opposite actually. There is so much misinformation going around about progesterone, all by uninformed people including the medical professionals. It's no wonder there are a lot of confused people. Please read the Progesterone Misconceptions page.

Fibroids, Adenomyosis and Endometriosis are very unpleasant. They are all caused by oxidative stress, and exacerbated by estrogen not progesterone! This is a mitogen causing cells to proliferate, plus it's an inflammatory hormone. You need to deal with your Inflammation. No matter how many times you have fibroids removed, they will comeback if the inflammation has not been addressed. Eating fermented veg, kefir milk/water will help greatly. If the gut is not healthy it causes issues. I am not going to go into details about Fibroids as it has been discussed already on this thread, but please read the page on it.

You are also heading into Peri-Menopause (PM) which starts at around 35 when progesterone levels drop sharply and estrogen remains the same causing an imbalance. Please consider trying the Heavy Bleeding protocol, it has helped so many:

400-500mg Natpro Progesterone Cream per day
2000mg N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) per day
2000mg Taurine per day
5000iu's Vitamin D3 per day
1000mg Bioflavanoids per day

Your progesterone:estrogen ratio is way off. Yours is 54:1, it should be around 600:1. Please read the Hormone Testing page.

The side effects of Serrapeptase is not worth it to my mind, but that is entirely your choice. It's not something that I would recommend.

Extremely important is Vitamin D3, not only does it help with fibroids etc, it is also connected to every single functioning cell in our bodies making it vital. A deficiency also reduces the benefits of progesterone.
Feb 25, 2022
 I need your help related to serious fibroids issue
by: Ivelina

Hi Joy!

Thank you very much for your reply! I apologize for the delay, I got a really bad flu a few days ago.

My vitamin D level is good, the thing is that I stopped it for some time and it went down to 43, so I am taking exactly 5000 UI now. I appreciate the advice for the other supplements!

I am not sure where to look for this inflammation. Even if it's the stomach, there are so many tests, I will check the information on your site to pick the right ones.

What are the side effects of serrapeptase? Is it something related to increased bleeding?

When working on estrogen detox, can I take DIM every day for a few months or I have to stop it around my period? I will make sure I support all three phases of estrogen metabolism, I won't be just taking DIM.

Thank you for your help!



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