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Rhonda Volpi

by Rhonda
(Somerset, KY)

I have spent literally hundreds of hours researching the use of progesterone for the treatment of my fibroids,cyst, spotting,heavy bleeding,clotting,irregular cycles,insomnia, depression,anxiety,fatigue....and your website is the only one I've come across that advocates using such large doses of cream on a daily basis and without a break (if perimenopausal). Everything else I've read advocates using the minimal amount needed to address symptoms and feel better and stresses taking at least a three day break each month (unless menopausal). I have been following your advice and started using 160mg/day because I was under a great deal of stress and having severe anxiety and depression. I was also diagnosed with thyroid issues and am being treated for that. I'm feeling better and have reduced my daily dose to 100mg, but am still unsure about using without a break. I usually stop at day 27 and resume on day 7,but notice that I feel pre-menstrual and uncomfortable when I resume the cream. I do not know if I ovulate, but I don't think so. I used to "know" when I ovulated due to pain and pressure in my abdomen which I haven't felt in years. I am 52 years old and the past seven years have been horrible. I never thought I'd say this, but I hope I go through menopause soon! I guess I just want to make sure that using the cream in such large doses without a break is really okay - are there any studies you can direct me to that will give me the confidence to do that? Thanks for any advice you can give.

Comments for Rhonda Volpi

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May 15, 2012
 Rhonda Volpi
by: Wray

Hi Rhonda Yes you are right, I know of no other site or book which advocates such high amounts, except for Dr Dalton's books. She used amounts of 400mg, 800mg, and up to 2400mg/day for her patients with post natal psychosis. I was lucky enough to meet her several times before her death, and she didn't believe low amounts helped. It was because of her advice that I now suggest amounts of 100-200mg/day. I've used about 170mg/day for at least 14 years now, daily too, even when I had regular periods in my late peri-menopause years. Each time you stop it allows oestrogen to rise again, so when starting progesterone you will feel pre-menstrual etc. It's actually Oestrogen Dominance, which occurs monthly in many women. By all means take a break if it makes you happier, there's no hard and fast rule. I doubt if you are ovulating now. We begin getting anovulatory cycles from age 35, they increase in frequency during Peri-menopause, until Menopause when we stop making viable eggs. It's the cycles when we don't ovulate which cause all the problems, as there's no progesterone to counter the oestrogen we still make. As you say the past 7 years have been horrible, this is due to those anovulatory cycles. Ovarian production of oestradiol only stops with menopause, but our fat cells continue secreting oestrone till we die. Unfortunately the problems don't stop at menopause, we still have very little progesterone, but we're still making oestrone. The only studies of continual use are those helping women who are pregnant and having problems. You can find them on our Pregnancy page. Plus the studies on Traumatic Brain Injury victims who are given a continual IV transfusion until they recover. Continued below.
May 15, 2012
 Rhonda Volpi Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Rhonda Dr Dalton's books are still available, maybe you could consider getting them, see here and here. You might like to see these comments from users of high amounts, see here, here and here. Please consider the vitamin D too, a lack is often the cause of thyroid problems, see here, here and here. I've already given you the papers on fibroids and vitamin D, it really does appear your level is very low. Take care Wray

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