I take one gram of cream from a small vial and rub it into my inner thigh. They diagnosed me with PMDD. I stopped the bio est for 2 days no more anxiety attacks. Ive found the average dose to be somewhere between 20 to 40mg per day. So its been great to read your articles on thyroid, diets and hormone imbalances. Ideally, you would want to check what your serum progesterone is before supplementing. Is there a reliable saliva test? What Are the Side Effects of Progesterone Cream? Also she said the oral progesterone is better than the cream because it is slow release and breaks the blood/brain barrier but Ive read the cream is better because the gut can kill the majority of the progesterone. Protective effect of progesterone during pregnancy against ovarian cancer. A one-time boost of progesterone into a body with normal levels can upset the process of conception by pushing the endometrium into sloughing and, thus, causing menstruation to begin [source: Jelovsek]. Again, just make sure you check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements as they can have side effects or interact with other drugs and supplements. I have recently started having a few hot flashes a day as well. I have used maca 1tablespoon for years and it helped me but after I turned 51 I have been having trouble losing weight. Hrt,a combo of estradiol and prometrium didnt help. I would still like to take the progesterone because it made me feel well and I certainly dont feel well now. Glad to come across this article! This is why progesterone pills taken orally are often prescribed at doses of at least 200 to . Sign up to receive 20% off your first order. Fertility And Progesterone, a Lovely Success Story The researchers reported that they didn't support progesterone cream as a treatment option for women going through menopause. Natural Progesterone Cream Use in Pregnancy Welcome to my website! #3. So, I started progesterone cream this cycle on day 14. A week ago I restarted the cream after the 5 day break, and today I got a period (first one in 6 months). Or where can I find someone who specializes in this sort of thing. She put me on 200 mg progesterone oral capsules and 2 mg bioest. Bioidentical hormones for menopausal hormone therapy: variation on a theme. Lockwood G, Griesinger G, Cometti B. Subcutaneous progesterone versus vaginal progesterone gel for luteal phase support in vitro fertilization: a noninferiority randomized controlled study. However, some women want to avoid synthetic (artificial) progesterone. Make sure you discuss your options with your current hormone doctor to prevent any negative and unwanted side effects. Any thoughts or suggestions? What about progesterone for increased breast size? Estrogen-deficient skin: the role of topical therapy. The progesterone used in creams comes from diosgenin, a plant-based estrogen. I am still not sure of the bio identical 7 keto DHEA progesterone cream and its side effects. Occasionally (but more rarely) women simply dont tolerate progesterone at all. . Oral capsules and tablets: 400 mg orally once a day (at bedtime) for 10 days. Despite marketing claims to the contrary, Mexican wild yam cream neither contains progesterone nor converts into progesterone in the body [source: WebMD]. This extreme version started about 4 months ago but was sort of there for a few years before that. Because of this, the quality can vary between products, including the types of inactive ingredients and plant-based progesterone used. Progesterone cream can help you become pregnant if you have fertility issues. Almost 2 years ago I started using progesterone cream (twice a day on my wrists) and a sugar-free diet. During menopause (when periods stop completely) progesterone levels drop suddenly. "About Progesterone." I wonder if I have been under using my 2% serenity cream as they say to use it days 1-24 and a pea-size amount morning and evening, and you advise days 1-28. Id like to ask if I can use both, to protect from possibilities of thickening lining & to balance my hormones and dryness? Normal progesterone levels are required for fertility, mood, weight maintenance (1), balance estrogen levels, and much more. I live in Florida so these hot flashes are very annoying! Rub about 1/4 teaspoon of the cream into a spot where it will be easily absorbed, like your neck, face, breasts, chest, or the inside of your hands. Garner TB, Hester JM, Carothers A, Diaz F. Role of zinc in female reproduction. Usually, something like 1 tsp of cream is equal to 20mg of progesterone but this can change based on how it is formulated. I ask this because I have been experiencing pretty intense sweating for the past year several gushers a day & often at night. I have Hashimotos and have been taking Ashwaghanda for a year now. Ive been awake for almost 48 hours and didnt even take that much. Progesterone Cream Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives. This seems to be on the lower side given this should be the peak time for levels to be at their highest. The name for this syndrome is known as estrogen dominance and it is meant to imply an improper ratio of estrogen: progesterone in the body. I recently learned that I have estrogen dominance (high estradiol low progesterone) I know that I would benefit from a progesterone cream and supplementation with DIM. A healthy reproductive system is a well-tuned machine in which multiple organs and processes work together to create ideal environments for conception and pregnancy. New doc did more lab work, estrogen and FSH levels are normal, but thyroid and testosterone are low. How can I have excess estrogen still after 10 months of progesterone? At 40 yrs, I had a huge mass in the left breast. How long can I feel its effects? Im suddenly having loads of fluid retention as well. I am post-menopausal, have adrenal fatigue. I had some blood work done and found out I was low in estrogen and testosterone. By using our site, you agree to our. Fortunately, there are ways to increase progesterone. And, ideally, the cream -- although OTC -- should be used only with guidance of a physician. Aug. 6, 2000. Progesterone Cream: A Useful Guide - Flo I am praying this progesterone works. Dosing is based on the concentration of the cream that you are using. I also have very heavy periods and they range from every 23-30 days with the occasional skip or very early one and bleeding lasts a week. Im struggling to figure this out myself and would love any input you could give. But Ive been on birth control for nine years, and had my ovulation suppressed for a good chunk of that time. Most of the side effects that women experience from progesterone have to do with using too much for their bodies (which is a fairly easy fix). Sci Rep. 2022 Apr;12(1):1-16. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-09082-3. I dont know. The study authors concluded that progesterone therapy barely improved bone density in postmenopausal women on its own. Progesterone Creams: This is a hormonal cream mainly used for enhancing the process of fertility. Ill check it out. After 11 days experienced bad anxiety attack and next day same thing. Dermal fatigue basically refers to a situation in which all of the adipose tissues in a specific application site have become saturated to a point that reduces further absorption. P.S. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Thanks! I have been experiencing extremely sore/tight joints and muscles after being still, and in bed in the middle of the night. One of the most important reasons is that Progesterone helps to regulate and balance estradiol(2) in the female body. Once you figure out your ovulation date then you can determine when is the appropriate time to use progesterone. I would like to know exactly the best time to apply the cream, morning or evening. It has been suggested by a Cardiologist that I come off for the sake of my heart however, my wonderful Compounding Pharmacist has forwarded recent research to her & this seems to have allayed her fears. The same study suggested there was no difference in bone mineral density in women who used progesterone cream when compared to women provided a placebo. PMID:24753856, Pinkerton JV, Pickar JH. By age 45, I began taking lugols iodine 2% two times a week, eating more fish & salmon, & using filtered water. The dose of progesterone that you use each day will vary (sometimes significantly) from person to person. I feel like it is not. I have researched this topic on my own for that last few years as it seems my doctor thinks Im too young to complete any hormone testing and the signs are leaning toward low progesterone. Oct. 10, 2011. If low progesterone is determined to be a probable culprit of your infertility, your doctor may prescribe progesterone. Great article! Please help with this. I cannot switch to HRT yet as I like to further suppress my bleeding. So a lot more for me to read on your site but I am more hopeful of sorting myself out. How long it takes to work depends on several factors, including how much progesterone your body needs. After researching, it seems I have Dermal Fatigue. Progesterone and bone: actions promoting bone health in women, Progesterone in peri- and postmenopause: a review, Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs, Transdermal natural progesterone cream for postmenopausal women: inconsistent data and complex pharmacokinetics, A double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of progestelle progesterone cream on postmenopausal women, Over-the-counter progesterone cream produces significant drug exposure compared to a food and drug administration-approved oral progesterone product, Effects and side-effects of 2% progesterone cream on the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women: results from a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, randomized study, A study to look at hormonal absorption of progesterone cream used in conjunction with transdermal estrogen, Progesterone for symptomatic perimenopause treatment - progesterone politics, physiology and potential for perimenopause, Update on medical and regulatory issues pertaining to compounded and FDA-approved drugs, including hormone therapy, Progestogens as a component of menopausal hormone therapy: The right molecule makes the difference, Menopause and hormone-replacement therapy: Part 2. Some of the symptoms you may experience when using progesterone cream include: If you experience negative symptoms associated with progesterone cream use you will most likely experience them rather quickly (within 1-2 weeks). You can apply the cream to your neck, inner thigh, forearm, lower abdomen, or vaginal area. Still, you may want to choose a wild yam-based product instead. The link to purchase the cream should be in the article itself (big orange button). 2005;153(3):626-34. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06685.x, Vashist A, Wadsworth F, Carey A, Carey B, Studd J. I have similar issues. Progesterone: Natural Function, Levels & Side Effects - Cleveland Clinic The reason progesterone is used frequently is because it is considered to be both safer than estrogen and its also available over the counter whereas estradiol is not. 2011;3(2):109120. What Are the Drug Warnings? But by itself, its not a very effective weight loss hormone or medication. On the other hand, another study found that a progesterone cream called Pro-gest may be as effective as progesterone pills. Conversely, if you use 20mg and start to experience symptoms of high progesterone that may mean you need even less! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Im 46 with 3 small children itll its really turned my hormones into a mess. Will using progesterone cream have side effects? That is not true at all. So we m not sure if Ive ovulated, as Ive read some women can still ovulate after being declared post menopausal. In fact, there are several studies showing that it is beneficial. I still eat a LOT of food in the way of stir fry vegetables, eggs and lean cuts of meat. I found a healthy relationship, was married two years ago, and I eventually weaned myself off the progesterone cream and did quite wellfor a time. Read on to find out. Ive tried everything else vitamins, supplements, going healthy keto, managing stress, but nothing is working! I was told that since I have no Uterus I no longer need Progesterone. So much for my above comment. 2019;5(2):85-90. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.01.001. Any comments/advice & dosing advice is much appreciated. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the right dose for you. It's no secret that hormones play a major role in both the female and male reproductive systems. So I have been researching and found out about the progesterone cream and I hope that it gets my cyles and ovulation on track just started it today so we will see and I purchased mine from the health food store. I had stopped bleeding 2 days prior. To prevent this, rub the cream into different areas every time you use it. The average dose of Prometrium is around 50 to 100mg per day. I wanted to try a very natural transdermal cream. You can do this! I feel like Ive taken Valium! I have been tested by applied kinesiology , and was told I was estrogen dominant. Ketogenic diet and exercise in the form of HIIT and/or weight lifting have proven fruitless this past year, as have other means to try and lose weight. The short story is that progesterone can be used to augment weight loss if its also combined with existing weight-loss strategies and therapies. Thanks!! I want all of these things. Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician. (June 18, 2012) http://jcp.sagepub.com/content/45/6/614.abstract, Jackson, Rosalind. Hi! Read our, This New Menopause Drug Can Treat Hot Flashes With Minimal Side Effects, Menopause, Osteoporosis, and Hormone Therapy. High estrogen activity on breast tissue will cause an enlargement(3) of the glandular tissue and increase the size of the breasts (and make your breasts tender which tends to occur around the menstrual cycle). She put me on 1 mg bioest and 100 mg progesterone for 3 months which didnt help. Its worth spending some time playing around with your dose to figure out what works best for you. For 1 year, my water filter has been broken & Im going to replace it with a different kind of filter. How to use progesterone cream - ProgesteroneTherapy.com It is also the story of the heart-wrenching loss of a newborn, but also, a story of future hope for more children. In reality, fertility doctors take a more measured approach in treating patients who are having trouble getting pregnant. Birth control formulations usually consist of progesterone-like compounds known as progestins or progestagens. My functional doctor prescribed me custom dosed bio identical 7 keto DHEA progesterone cream, 1/2 ml. I'm Dr. Westin Childs. Progesterone supplements are part of fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilizations (IVF) and frozen embryo transfers. You absolutely want to avoid those type of symptoms when using hormones, especially if you are using unopposed estrogen (no progesterone to balance it). It's easy to find and is sold over the counter. Check out my thyroid supplements. How to Use Progesterone Cream for Fertility, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/03/02/expert-ten-super-smart-ways-to-build-good-habits-and-make-them-stick/, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-760-progesterone.aspx?activeingredientid=760&activeingredientname=progesterone, usar una crema de progesterona para la fertilidad, Usare la Crema al Progesterone per la Fertilit, , , Progesteroncreme fr die Fruchtbarkeit verwenden. What Are Vasomotor Symptoms During Menopause? The characteristic physiologic shape of women who have high estrogen tends to be the pear shape. I also have Hashis and am an editor in the medical and pharmaceutical arena. When choosing a cream, only buy one with "progesterone USP" on the label. DrWeil.com. I stopped taking it altogether to get it all out of my system and assess it again, and found my natural progesterone production is <0.5(!!!) So, thank you for the information. I took progesterone for years until the researchers decided that synthetic progesterone could cause blood clots. Symotoms improved & the mass softened & went away. Thanks for your response. Progesterone cream should never be used on children. Normal progesterone levels are required for fertility, mood, weight maintenance (1), balance estrogen levels, and much more. Its been a few months since I wrote my last comment and I am finally seeing some progress, but it took more than simply applying progesterone cream. Given that the test was expensive and time consuming, and well probably need to repeat it soon, is there a different alternative? I am 79 years old and have had a complete hysterectomy due to endrimetrios. I thought my cycle had actually stopped. Get your hormones tested on your own. Menopause Int. In my experience, I havent seen a huge difference in pharmaceutically compounded progesterone vs over-the-counter progesterone cream. Dr. Childs, thank you for answering so quickly! I was wondering if you had a complete hysterectomy do you still benefit from taking progesterone? Ive eliminated all dairy, coffee and sugar, and mostly grains (save an organic sprouted grain tortilla with my breakfast each morning). Synthetic progesterone, known as progestogen, is available in many formulations, including pills, gels and suppositories. Thank you. I suffered from adrenal fatigue and estrogen dominance back in 2010, but had to determine and solve that on my own. If you have questions regarding your health you should seek qualified information from a medical professional or your doctor. Natural progesterone creams are estimated to have anywhere from a 10-80% hormone absorption rate, which is a wide range. Is that correct? Look for creams that contain no ingredients other than progesterone, and be warned that Mexican wild yam cream is not a progesterone substitute. Avoid these products. I am a former Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (no longer practicing) that now focuses on producing the information you see here while also formulating some of the best supplements on the market (in my HUMBLE opinion) :). In cases such as these, you may benefit from the use of supplements designed to help clear out estrogen which can also make more effective your dose of progesterone. While progesterone is a major player in the female reproductive system, it's also present in males in small amounts [source: Body Logic]. Last Updated: March 11, 2023 Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Thank you for a great explanation of how progesterone cream works. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now: #1. But then I see where you say that hot flashes call for estrogen, not progesterone. For 3 months I was using Now progesterone cream (at that time I was also using Vitex 1200 mg) 2 cycles I had during this time shortened to 26 days (and sometimes it lasted 150 days). Progesterone cream may interfere or interact with other medications you are taking. If you are using testosterone vaginally, then you dont want to also use progesterone vaginally. Some, on the other hand, worry that natural progesterone creams allow too much of the hormone into the body [source: Hermann, et. The diosgenin is chemically converted to progesterone in a lab. I have been to,d that the study was done in synthetic progesterone not natural. I was using an over the counter 20mg lotion and then I didnt feel it was working that well after a year so I went to a new GYN and she recommended 100mg. Progesterone cream is a type of hormone replacement therapy used to manage uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. I have also used it on the underarms and face and buttocks which I read to use on a UK site but you have not mentioned and wonder if that is why I have bat wings. I have been using it for approx 15 years; I stopped using it because I thought I read that it is not good to use it long term. Thank you. Thank you. Im 53 and menopause seems to be nowhere in my near future. Good luck and glad you found it helpful! doi:10.1007/s11606-007-0141-4, Han KH, Kim MK, Kim HS, Chung HH, Song YS. Sept. 9, 2011. They would not prescribe anymore because I was diagnosed with Lupus anticoagulant factor. A couple of months ago I began having severe joint pain. with natural/organic ones, drinking only filtered water, eating more organically, eliminating stressful and toxic relationships and applying bio-identical progesterone cream on a regular basis. This supplement is one of the only over-the-counter ways to directly help a woman support her progesterone levels. Its often better to break up your compounded hormones and use individual hormones rather than double or triple hormone stacks. In addition, some women actually experience weight gain (if they dont use it correctly) while taking progesterone cream. Could Progesterone Cream (USP) help alleviate my joint and muscle soreness? If you arent sure when you ovulate then youll need to use an ovulation kit to help you determine (this is helpful for people with longer or shorter cycles than the 28 days outline here). (June 18, 2012) http://www.bodylogicmd.com/hormones-for-men/progesterone, Bowen, R. "Placental Hormones." Any suggestions would be appreciated. "Progesterone." Hi I am 50 and been using progesterone cream daily for 10 months. Dr. Childs, Can progesterone cream cause hair loss? Progesterone did prevent bone loss in pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women. Dr. Childs, what is the best way to test your hormones (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, etc)? (June 18, 2012) http://books.google.com/books?id=-kw3AgBiSqIC&dq=a+woman's+guide+to+natural+hormones&source=gbs_navlinks_s, DiLeo, Gerard M. "Q&A: Can I purchase over-the-counter progesterone cream?" Can you apply progesterone cream randomly just when you have period pain or not? If you do decide to use progesterone cream, then there are several things you need to know in order to get the best results! This is because too much of certain hormones, like progesterone, can have undesired effects -- like making pregnancy even less likely. Progesterone during perimenopause. Some women actually tolerate progesterone tablets better than progesterone cream. Guess I should also mention that I am 65 and was 39 when I started menopause. It started at 50mg and has gone up each time I do a saliva hormone panel. Im 52yrs old. Despite some misgivings among the medical community, there are fertility clinics that recommend natural progesterone cream for certain patients. Progesterone is a natural female hormone, and has been known to help women suffering from fertility issues. Thank you. The PH could be from hyperthyroid + the 7 keto DHEA ? Exercising regularly to lose weight. Having said that some women need much more and some women need much less. Thank you. Im supposedly post menopausal, but Ive had spotting to a full heavy 7 day period, in the last year. Progesterone's function influences . The Benefits of Cycle Syncing Your Workouts (+ How To Do It), Supplements to Treat Facial Hair in Women (Hirsutism), Copper IUD Pros & Cons (+ Who Should & Shouldnt Use it). pumpkin. Its going to take a while before my body figures out how to ovulate again. Thanks. On his web site, Dr. Mark Rhodes writes: "Many people overdose from prolonged use of progesterone cream. I bled that night and everyday since, it is now day 17. Whenever possible, and whenever we are using powerful hormones, its always best to try and mimic what the body does naturally. May 18, 2022 Dr. Anna Cabeca I recently interviewed a 36-year-old woman and wanted to share her beautiful story. Is this true. Thanks for any tips. Ive been eating very healthy, getting lots of natural incidental exercise and doing HIIT workouts to no avail. It is. I used to be one flat palm of breast volume, and now I am a curved palm and 2 finger joints in volume (when i use my hand for measure). Any suggestions would be appreciated. 5 Signs You Are Entering Menopause Progesterone Cream Benefits Progesterone is a type of hormone that your ovaries produce. Menopause. It's made in the ovary. Everything You Need to Know About Menopause and Sleep, Low Estrogen: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. "Progesterone." You mention buying it over the counter in the USA, where may I ask is that where I can purchase progesterone? I would love to know what your thoughts on this are. Topical Progesterone: When, Why, and HowPart 1 No lymes disease and no lupus. In these cases, you can try to find a midpoint of your menstrual cycle and then use the progesterone until your cycle starts. Adeline. After another 2 weeks, I reintroduced the cream, the weight tended to increase again, I stopped after 5 days, the bleeding started immediately it lasted 3 days. Has anyone seen a difference? Some healthcare providers will suggest applying the cream once a day for six days and skipping every seventh day if you're using it to prevent hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. After 24 weeks, both groups experienced the same amount of menopause symptoms (such as hot flashes and night sweats). 2013;18(2):113122. Indian J Psychiatry. I will occasionally use DUTCH or 24 hour urine but not frequently. ), T2 Thyroid Hormone Can Help You Lose Weight, The Best Hair Supplements All Contain This One Ingredient, The Worst Supplements To Take For Your Thyroid (Avoid These! I am 52. It all worked to stop all my issues. I am 47 yo and in perimenopausal phase. She prescribed me instead 200mg of Prometrium but I am feeling nervous about the side effects.I have made major changes to my dietno sugarno glutenno dairy. If you are menstruating (meaning you are NOT menopausal) then the time that you apply progesterone is important. PubChem Database. Hello, Can I take progesterone cream even though I dont know my hormone balance? Some women may seriously benefit from using progesterone cream but due to one bad experience (from overdosing or wrongful application) may never try it again. JohnLeeMD.com. Some women will be very sensitive to the active ingredient; others will not. Its primary role is to help regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. She didnt want to test my progesterone and estrogen levels. Maca is generally well tolerated and should be safe to use with progesterone. I am wondering if it could be partly because of using topical progesterone cream daily (every day of the month). Hello, Next, you need to make sure that you use it correctly. You may experience skin irritation if you regularly apply progesterone cream to the same area. Fatigue, Estrogen Dominance and Hypothyroid issues (Hashimotos) these waters of hormone balance have been very tough to navigate. "A Woman's Guide to Natural Hormones." Will this help lengthen a short luteal phase? I am 30 years old and have pcos. Im now in Surgical Menopause. Hi Dr. Childs,