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When to take progesterone when cycles are irratic?

by Leslie

I am two months shy of 50 years old. I started on 200mg of compounded progesterone in July. Over the past year, my cycle has been extremely irratic (shortest was 14, longest was 39 days). I was initially prescribed the progesterone from day 14-28. But my irregular cycles have made that impossible. I have gone back and forth with my doctor and she now recommends for me to take it from day 5 until I get my period. I am just looking for a second opinion/advice. Is it even possible to regulate things at this point? I am pretty sure that I am not ovulating anymore because I have always had very clear signs and those are gone. In addition, I have always suffered from menstrual migraines (before my period, after my period and at ovulation). I now have migraines often because of this hormonal rollercoster I am on. I have some hope post menopause because I did not have a single migraine while pregnant or breastfeeding (I got one 28 days after the last day I nursed both my children).

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Jan 10, 2022
 When to take progesterone when cycles are erratic?
by: joy

Hi Leslie

As you are still experiencing bleeding you are in Peri-Menopause which can be a terrible time for most women.  Erratic periods are extremely common.  Often heavy bleeding and clotting is experienced.  It is best to use progesterone every day going forward.  It is impossible to use the cream by following a regular cycle, in your case your cycle is not regular.  Sadly your doctor has ill advised you.  Perhaps you could send her some information so that she can read up on progesterone, peri-menopause and see what is needed.  A missed period for 12 months puts a women into Menopause. Usually between 100-200mg per day is needed, more if symptoms are severe.  You will have to experiment to see what works for you best.  Personally I find that 150mg per day suits me best.  When stressed I use more to get me over my stressful time.  Stress destroys progesterone levels as well as vital nutrients such as B Vitamins and Vitamin D3.  Please read the How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance pages.

Compound creams usually do not have the correct progesterone concentration.  Advice on this website is based on Natpro which is a 3.33% cream.  Find out what yours is and adjust accordingly.  You might also like to look at the other i as often they can cause irritation.

Your Migraines are clearly caused by hormones not being balanced. Progesterone is an excellent anti-inflammatory, try rubbing some progesterone cream at the back of your neck and up the side of the temples.  It should help a little.

Most important is Vitamin D3, did your doctor discuss this with you?  A deficiency reduces the benefits of D3 and is connected to every single function cell in our bodies. Co-factors are extremely important.
Jan 10, 2022
 thank you
by: Leslie

Thank you for the advice. I will talk to my doctor about it. She said that the days off every month ensure that the uterine lining is being sloughed off sufficiently since I am still bleeding.

Also, just to clarify, I am taking pills, not a cream. It is a prescription that is compounded to order. She said that she has found that creams are often not potent enough. But maybe I can get some to rub on when the migraines come on.

Thanks again.
Jan 11, 2022
 Thank You
by: Joy

Hi Leslie

I'm afraid that I do not agree with your doctor. Progesterone is needed to 'slough off' as she puts it (clear the lining of the uterus). This build up is due to estrogen build up so stopping makes no sense to me.

As you have most probably read on this website, any form of oral progesterone is not the best Delivery Method as around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver see here. Which means that you are actually getting very little progesterone! Your doctor should know this. Creams not potent enough? I think I'll give that a miss. If that were the case no women would use it including myself.

Good luck.

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