Poll: Natural Progesterone

[dancer67]

I would like to try Emereta Progesterone Cream. My GYN told me last year that he supports his patients who would like to try this.

 

Unfortunately, I heard a horrifying story about a woman who was taking NP, and the fat built up so when she had to have blood drawn, she couldn't. Fact? Fiction? I don't know.

 

I know that my progesterone drops around day 18-19 of my cycle because my bOOks are so sore, then about day 22-24 I will start spotting, and around day 26-27, I get my cycle. Last about 5-6 days. Heavier bleeding on day 2, but light on days 3-6.

 

I am still going to discuss the Novasure option with my GYN, because I am just SICK of spotting for 3-5 days prior, and it seems like I just get done with my period, and it starts all over again. But I want to try the least invasive routes first.

 

Mirena was a failure. BLEH

 

Chasteberry Vitex made my stomach upset. Couldhave been coincedence as I was on another new med at the time.

 

So my last two options would be Nat. Progesterone, or Mini Pill.

 

If I didn't have this spotting, I wouldn't care. I can deal with my periods with no problem. But I HATE the indecision of my body. If I am going to get my period, let's just get it and get it done. Nevermind this pre-game show, KWIM?

 

This is why I am hesitant still about Novasure. It is only because I spot every month.(For about 3 years now). I am going to be 44. My mother went through menopause at 48.

 

So I am leaving up a poll............on who tkes NP and how long etc....

 

Could you also add what brand you are taking, and specifically, if it helped with spotting.

Edited August 21, 2011 by dancer67

[Peela]

I would try the progesterone cream.

I used it for a couple of years and loved it- it made all the difference ot me. However I took half the recommended dose, and only in the evenings- it was enough for me.

I stopped - I think it had built up in my system- I just felt to stop it and found my cycles much easier to handle even after I stopped. They still are.

[Hwin]

I didn't vote because I guess I am an "other."

 

I took it and it worked, mostly without side effects.

 

That said, it took me some time to find the sweet spot as far as usage was concerned. At one point, I was grossly overusing it, and had very obvious side effects such as water retention, nausea, and lactation. (I only continued using it because these seemed like pregnancy symptoms to me - and it is unwise to suddenly stop using progesterone at the beginning of a pregnancy.) After numerous negative tests, I stopped the progesterone. Things went back to normal pretty quickly. Once I cut it back to just a fingertip, once per day, I found myself with a healthier cycle overall.

 

I still had spotting, but it was later in the cycle, and so I would stop taking the progesterone when the spotting started. My period would start right after. The longer I took it, the more normal everything got...

 

I took it for well over a year, and into my pregnancy.

[amy g.]

I am using it now, and have been for about 6 months. I know I have very low Progesterone levels. I can not stay pregnant without taking a fairly high dose.

 

I'm taking the cream now, and it helps SO much with hot flashes, rage, sleeplessness, and breast tenderness. I have noticed that I can not lose weight on it. if I eat what would normally make me lose, I can maintain, so I'm going to stay on it, and see if that side effect goes away as my hormones level out.

 

I will try only taking it at night. that might help.

 

On the other hand, my skin is so clear now that I only need a little powder instead of foundation. I am much happier, so I think I need to stick with it a little longer.

[Margo out of lurking]

..

[Negin]

I take it (although I have been rather lazy lately and do appreciate the reminder) and love it. No side effects whatsoever. I love Emerita.

[dancer67]

Any truth to it building up in your system, as in the story I stated above?(The lady couldn't get blood drawn anywhere)

[Sunshine State Sue]

I used Emerita for a while, but I don't think it helped any of my peri-menopausal symptoms. I have never had spotting, so can't help you there. Acupuncture helped more.

 

I read a menopause book by Susun Weed, and one of the things she said that made sense to me was something like progesterone comes from the Latin pro(for) and gestation(pregnancy). A woman going through menopause won't be getting pregnant again, so supporting pregnancy doesn't make sense.

[Misty]

You should look into pregnenolone. It's the mother hormone that regulates all the other ones. If you are deficient in pregnenolone, then you will have problems.

[dancer67]

Maybe it is just me, but it doesn't seem that there are many women who have spotting prior to their periods? Is this rare?

 

I had all the tests done, including thyroid, endo biopsy etc..and nothing.

 

So the only explanation I can think of is low progesterone?