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[dangermouse]

Let's hope some GPs read this!

http://dailym.ai/2hlK265

[hunnisett565]

Good article thanks for the link!

Exactly how a lot of us are or have been feeling !

Hunnymummy x

[Kathleen]

Hello dangermouse.

Thanks for the link. Interesting that the author was told progesterone was calming and despite still having periods she was lacking in this hormone.

Take care all.

K.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Blimey they could have been writing about me! Strange that a specialist GP prescribed progesterone cream as both Annie Evans & Prof Studd were very dismissive of it.

[dangermouse]

Kathleen, I am lacking in progesterone and still having periods. It's common in perimenopause as progesterone gradually declines from late 30s but oestrogen stays high (or surges higher) and then suddenly falls just before menopause. This creates quite a strong imbalance.

GRL, the London Hormone Clinic is where I go and they prescribe both compounded hormones and standard HRT, I believe Studd only prescribes the standard which may be his preference. The cream is very effective but potent so causes, for me, a week of migraine nausea and dizziness but then feel amazing for a couple of weeks. That week is tough for me though so not using it at the moment.

The main point though is that GPs have always told me that if you're bad now you'll be really bad after menopause but for many it's clearly the other way around. Hope that'll be me!

[dangermouse]

Just to add re their point that the NHS can't supply the progesterone cream is because NICE only recommend oestrogen deficiency symptoms be treated, so great for those close to or post menopause but early perimenopause (or progesterone deficiency) is largely ignored.

The cream has not been tested for those taking oestrogen HRT to protect the womb and may not be strong enough (although they are producing more effective carrier ingredients now) so it's unlikely you'll ever get it on the NHS unless they start treating progesterone deficiency.

[Peroxideblader]

I was interested in the progesterone cream the lady mentioned she took on its own without oestrogen which is what I want to try as the oestrogen part of hrt made me so ill and depressed which is why I've still not tried my second attempt.  I would rather just use progesterone cream to see if my symptoms improve but has anyone used this ? I know I'd have to buy online that's fine I'd rather try just progesterone with having such an adverse reactions to adding oestrigen

[Peroxideblader]

Dangermouse I've just read your post again do you mean you only take progesterone cream and no oestrogen? I'm peri still having periods albeit week early week late etc.  When do you take it cycle wise and where do you get it thanks

[dahliagirl]

I'm not sure - I stayed on the pill, which is a whole load of progestogen, until I was 49 and bypassed a lot of stuff, and felt good on it. Wondered what the fuss was about.

However, I still had a period of depression and anxiety at about 38/39 when my night sweats started.  From 45, I had very definite changes that would go with oestrogen deficiency - very little bleeding, oestrogen withdrawal headaches, vaginal dryness/itching/pube loss and constant night sweats.  But my skin was amazing - no spots for the only time I can remember!   

When I came  off it, I discovered libido  and felt like a lid had been lifted - there were obvious downsides, but I had lived with them for years.

I tried progestogen only pill (which is a much smaller amount of progestogen and no oestrogen) but I had genitourinal/vaginal dryness problems which ramped up and,  having no week off, the constipation was constant and I felt rubbish.  I thought this  would have helped me having read about oestrogen dominance but it didn't. I then went on to have loads of periods (no ovulation, therefore no progestogen to help regulate the bleeding) and bad joint pains (this also started in a smaller way when I was late 30's  ) and went onto hrt.  I have lots of brain fog and feel detached from my body when I am not on it - this gradually crept up on me in the time between stopping pop and starting hrt.  Spotty again though 

Some women sail through happily on mirena  or pop and are happy with it, so expect a small amount of progesterone must work for some.  For others, it is like permanent pms.

[Peroxideblader]

My main issues are sudden panic attacks and anxious like I'm on the edge all the time and depression seems much worse even though my ad has coped well before.  And the inability to sleep that's the main reason for hrt. I am seeing doctor on Monday for a hrt check up so I'm going to push for blood tests for hormones I know they're not reliable but surely it would show if I have low or high of either hormone at least..I see so many success stories I want to be one of them and only worried about the progesterone part not the fact I couldn't even cope with the oestrogen!!

[dangermouse]

My cream is compounded and you have to be prescribed it by a doctor. I suspect those online that you can buy are weaker but o don't know for sure.

I think most women are prescribed it from about Day 15 until their period but I took lower dose for whole month and hen tried other patterns to try to get less side effects.

My hormone doctor said if you have worse symptoms around mid cycle then it means you are progesterone deficient and if you have it at either end (or are Post menopausal) the you're likely to be oestrogen deficient.

Blood tests don't work well in peri as hormones are volatile from one hour to the next.

[Peroxideblader]

That's why I wanted a blood test as I don't have fluctuating times better or worse they're constant! Yet I'm peri and I only thought I had too much oestrogen as the added oestrogen in hrt made everything much worse and the inability to get to sleep is too much oestr9gen like my problem but if you wake early it's too little oestrogen which is not me......so could I just use the utrogestan on days 15 to 26 on its own without the added oestrogel like the cream ?

[dangermouse]

Well when I reported back to my GP what my hormone doctor had diagnosed and prescribed, she did say I could have the Utrogestan on the NHS, so yes you could give it a go.

The hormone doc did say that it would be too potent for me (and she mentioned about it converting to oestrogen but I still don’t know what she meant by that and haven’t seen her to ask). I’d say give it a try!

Just to add, my cycles have all been annovulatary of late and I am feeling more consistently progesterone deficient, no doubt as not producing any progesterone now. That could be why you’re not having obvious peaks and troughs and maybe we’re getting nearer to the end of this part. Let’s hope!

[HopeAlone]

Peroxidebladder I too don't have fluctuations around different times of month, mine is everyday and fluctuates through the day . I never had pms or pnd took the pill for years and also previously had the depo with no problem.
Mine all started with the early morning terrors but it was everyday not just certain  days and was still having regular periods.
Now I'm not sure if it was peri or having a nervous breakdown because of the daily symptoms x

[Peroxideblader]

I really feel for you it's awful everyday isn't it .I had a breakdown 4 years ago it ruined my life and this feels like the edge of one again. The deep dread and tears first thing are the worst and because I don't get to sleep every night til 4am those 5 hours alone from when my partner goes to bed just compound the bleakness. That's why I didn't think it was hormones because it was constant not cyclical but all my list of other ailments seem to fit perimenopause stage. I'm supposed to start oestrogel and utrogestan but after the femoston literally made me feel suicidal it's scared me too much.
As for taking the utrigestan on its own I can't find anywhere that says I can it's always in conjunction with oestrigen which I don't think I need. Thats why that paper article saying she just took progesterone cream made me have hope but I'll have to order it online. I think I'll try that first even if it's low dose I'd rather do that that go on full hrt..x