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Too much or Too Little Progesterone?

by Catherine L

Hi Wray,

I had a laparatomy in April 2010 (when I was 40) for 2 chocolate cysts, 10cm and 8cm, several fibroids in my uterus and also to free up some adhesions in my peritoneum. Then I was put on Luprin injections then Birth Control Pills (BCP) non-stop for 18months, and I had very bad nightmares and insomnia, night sweats, loss of hair, etc due to BCP. Stopped BCP in November 2011, changed my diet - no wheat/grain/flour products, no soy, no sugar, basically 80% veggies and nuts (raw and cooked), 20% fish, chicken and eggs. My hair grew back, brain fog lifted, sleep improved a lot, and I was able to start an exercise regime (now able to swim 800 meters 2-3 times a week).

In October this year (2012), my regular scan showed 2 fibroids in my uterus, 1.4cm each. My GYN recommended BCP for 3 months to stop my periods, but I did some research and decided to try natural Progesterone Cream instead, applying 100mg daily for the first 3 weeks. My period still came in November, so I increased the dosage to 160mg (daily, no breaks), and had 2 more periods since (but at regular intervals of 21 days each cycle).

My latest scan today (Dec 13th) shows the fibroids have not grown in size, but I now have simple cysts at both my ovaries, measuring 4cm each.

Is that caused by too much or too little Progesterone applied? Or do I need breaks in between doses? My GYN says I should stop all BCP and Progesterone cream for 3 months to see if the simple cysts will disappear by itself, but I'm not sure if I should do that.

Your advice is much needed and appreciated. Thanks a bunch!
Confused,
Catherine

Comments for Too much or Too Little Progesterone?

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Dec 15, 2012
 Too much or Too Little Progesterone?
by: Wray

Hi Catherine Fibroids are caused by oxidative stress, as are most of our problems. Oxidative stress leads to Inflammation and a disruption of normal cellular function. Mostly due to a lack of antioxidants, in particular vitamin D. This has been shown to reduce fibroid size, see here, here, here and here. And Lupron?! This is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It causes a dramatic reduction in oestradiol and testosterone levels by increasing the gonadotropins LH and FSH. But what is not apparent to the medical profession, this would also result in a dramatic decrease in progesterone levels. Normal levels of the gonadotropins LH and FSH are needed to stimulate egg production and ovulation in the ovary. But high levels of these hormones suppress not only oestrogen and testosterone, but ovulation. Without ovulation no ovarian progesterone is produced, the first list of symptoms here are almost all indicative of low progesterone. Contraceptives have a similar but less violent affect, they slow or stop ovarian production of hormones, including ovulation. Your change in diet has certainly paid off, very good news. Too little progesterone will stimulate oestrogen. Oestrogen is an excitatory, inflammatory hormone, it's implicated in fibroids, cysts and any problem where cells are proliferating too fast. Progesterone inhibits mitosis, so too does vitamin D. In women with a cycle, it's normal to follow it, starting the progesterone at ovulation, and using it for the next 12-14 days of the luteal phase. In your case this would mean starting it on day 7. But if symptoms are severe, or persistent, I do recommend using it daily, through any bleeding, for about 2-3 months. This is to ensure excess oestrogen is suppressed and progesterone becomes dominant. Sometimes more time is required. Continued below
Dec 15, 2012
 Too much or Too Little Progesterone? Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Catherine I would suggest you increase the progesterone to 200mg/day, take an antioxidant complex, there's a list on the inflammation page, and have a vitamin D test done. This will give you a good idea of how much you need to take to get your level up quickly. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Dec 15, 2012
 Thank you
by: Catherine

Thanks so much for your reply Wray, I'll follow your advice and hopefully will have good news to report in the next few months. God bless you and the work you do.
Dec 19, 2012
 Thank you
by: Wray

Hi Catherine I always appreciate any feedback, even if contrary to what I expect! It's never a quick fix using natural substances, but they are effective if continued for long enough. Bless you for the kind words. Take care Wray
Jul 12, 2014
 progesterone caused shortness of breath
by: Anonymous

I read about progesterone on your site. And decided to try it. I am a man. And it caused severe shortness of breath. I used progesterone cream. What can it be. You say that progesterone cures shortness of breath. But if you go on the internet and see all these women experience exactly same reaction to progesterone cream. HELP

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