Bio identical hormones
 

Hi everyone, do any of you use bioidentical hormones. My doctor just increased my progesterone and I have some questions. I've read where most woman use progesterone cream but my doctor insist upon capsules and they are ruining my stomach!
Please let me know if you have any answers or suggestions. I'm at my wits end with this. I don't wan to stop the hormones because other than the progesterone I think they really help me.
Hopeful

Hi hopeful

I personally have no experience with progesterone cream but have been taking oral progesterone 5mg (Provera) for 4+ years along with oestradiol 1mg (Progynova). I'm currently tapering the oestradiol with the plan to stop both. I never had any stomach problems - maybe it's the combination.

Have you asked your doctor why they insist on the tablet? - I did read that the creams don't actually have pharmaceutical progesterone in them. This could be why.

There's currently a thread running with discussion of the use of progesterone therapy for another problem - neuropathy - that you might get some info from. Here's the link:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread222544.html

All the best for sorting it out and getting some relief.

I cannot use the oral progesterone either. My doc switched me to the topical and it works. I had to start at a low dose and work up though. At first I got one from the compounding pharmacy but found OTC worked just as well. Even my doc is OK with the OTC. The creams do contain USP progesterone (pharmaceutical grade).

The oral caused joint pain in my feet and legs. When I switched to the cream, I had to lower my dose because it gave me indigestion at first. To this day, I can only tolerate 20 mg/d versus the standard 40 mg/d that they usually prescribe. I started at 2.5 mg/d and worked up to 30 MG/D and then had to back down to 20 mg/d based on blood test which showed too much progesterone.

If I could just used the estrodiol, I would be happy. I seem to feel the best with just that. But you need the progesterone so I had to figure out a way to make it work.

You can change it out on your own since you don't need a prescript for the progesterone.

Thanks Marlene,
I remember you saying before that you had a difficult time with progesterone. I agree I would rathe just take the estrogen but this too much research that states possible cancers from it.
I email my doctor yesterday to see if she would switch to the cream and haven't heard back yet.
Do you have DHEA and testosterone in your cream with the estrogen?

I know the bioidentical hormones have made my life better but I get nervous about using them sometimes.

I use the generic vivelle dot patch. I like the brand name better than the generic but my insurance prefers I use the generic. It took about a month for me to adjust to it.

The cream is just progesterone. I like using a stand-alone progesterone because I can control the dosage. I don't always use 20mg/day.

My DHEA and testosterone are ok. In fact, sometimes, the testosterone is high. The problem with testing hormones is that they are always in flux. That's why you have pay attention to how you feel also.

I have used Neurobiologix progesterone and had good results with it. I think it's from wild yams but don't remember for sure.

And am now using Emerita Pro-Gest. The source of the progesterone is from Wild Yam versus Soy.

The compounding Pharmacy cream is more expensive Virginia. Life Extension has good prices on bio-identical hormones though their pharmacy but Virginia law won't let them ship to VA. It's a huge price difference.

Thanks Marlene, the doctors office called and said they were calling the pharmacy and ordering the cream. She still wants me to try the 40 mgs. I'll give it a chance and see how it goes.
I do have the testosterone and DHEA in my cream with the estrogen. My levels were low especially my testosterone. Now they are where they should be according to my bloodwork. Now I just have to get the burning in my stomach to calm down!

I use only DHEA and have been for at least 10 yrs.... I've used the P cream years ago but don't now. Thought about it recently but don't. For the stomach issue, you may want to look at DGL for stomach lining protection. I have been taking it daily for probably 4-5 yrs for stomach protection as I take ibuprofen. Stomach seems fine. DGL addresses reflux, heart burn, gerd and all those issues. It's supplement otc. Love it.

Great!!! Good luck and don't be afraid to reduce your dose in the beginning to work up to 40mg. You won't get cancer in that short of time. My sister cannot tolerate 40mg either. When I took 30 mg, my progesterone test was off the charts and my estrogen levels dropped. Unfortunately, docs get stuck on the standard recommendation and sometimes have a difficult time deviating from it.

If you start getting yeast infections, it's a sign your progesterone is probably too high.

Thanks Caroline and Marlene, I went to line to find something natural for my stomach. I used baking soda and water. It worked after a while! I got the cream and waited until tonight to start it I'm a little worried but I'll give it a shot.
I do have a question where do you put the cream. I do the estrogen on my thighs so I think I'm going to try my arm for the progesterone.
Thanks again!
Ps Marlene I didn't know that about the yeast infections. Good to know!

I rotate where I apply it. Mostly legs and arms. Hope your tummy is settling down.

It is thanks!! That was rough. I have just been using my legs but I'm going to start arms tonight. Thanks Marlene!!!

I have my annual gyn appointment next week, and am going to go armed with some questions regarding bio-identicals, progesterone, etc...

My neuropathy came on suddenly the month after I went off the birth control pill I'd been on for about 22 years. It took a long time to think it may have had anything to do with, but now I think there's a good possibility.

For those taking prescription progesterone, what led your docs to prescribe it? Was it based on testing or symptoms?

Thanks

Hi janieg
In my case both symptoms & testing. I was prescribed progesterone (and oestradiol) after severe onset menopausal symptoms when I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease at age 50 (in 2010). Non-functional adrenals = no hormones.

I was tested for hormone levels prior to starting and they were minimal. I'm now into 9 wks tapering off and so far the effects have been minimal - slight headaches, very dry skin, some extra nausea and fatigue but nothing like when I tried to stop 2 years ago. Touch wood it continues like this as it is time to quit them.

DHEA: Surviving and Thriving

http://womensinternational.com/connections/dhea.html

I just finished listening to the PRP MD on the radio and often people call in with osteoporosis issues and the MD goes right to Hormones. He works very holistically along with the PRP regenerative work. A man called in for his 65 yr old wife with osteoporosis and she also is on dialysis which the MD said doesn't help things.

I've been taking DHEA for many years and from every day to every other day lately with the 25mg DHEA. BEST to get DHEA levels tested, as they start to drop between 20-30 yrs of age.