Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

I was low on progesterone, so I started using this cream and now I have a fever and feel a bit weird. It's only been ONE day.

My question is, does progesterone cream increase cortisol? if it does increase cortisol, why would they recommend it for people with pcos? i do not have pcos but i have blood sugar issues. thanks.

flag	asked Jan 26 2012 at 18:22 pennieloaf 51●3

Dragonfly · Answer 1 · 2012-01-26 19:15:34Z UTC

4

Initially, Progesterone will activate your down-regulated estrogen receptors and that could cause some symptoms. They will go away in a few weeks (maybe sooner.)

answered Jan 26 2012 at 19:15

Dragonfly
31.2k●1●8●41

this is fascinating – pennieloaf Jan 27 2012 at 16:23

1

i love that link Dragonfly, Dr Lee is the best. pennieloaf-- you might consider that the hormonal pict with your current lwbs you posted above suggest some estrogen dominance since the estrogen is in the normal range however the value is so high relative to the super, ultra low progesterone. the existence of progesterone receptors are probably nil. subsequently, any amount of progesterone will be be perceived by the body as a tremendous amount. i can see how unmasking the estrogen effects may occur and the symptons of estrogen toxicity! consider not going cray cray with any progesterone... – grace Feb 4 2012 at 0:50

dosing until the body starts generating and gradually upregualting the progesterone receptors, which generally take 2-4 wks and this is why practitioners wait 6 wks betw lab testing and dose adjustments. the body doesnt go into pcos or progesterone deficiency overnight. regeneration takes time... i know i get helluv frustrated too! the adrenals are the crux; have you addressed adrenal fatigue the source of progesterone outside the our 'nads????! – grace Feb 4 2012 at 0:54

Christa G · Answer 2 · 2012-01-26 20:06:28Z UTC

As with any hormone you are adding to your body..such as the pill or creams. It can make you feel off for sure. I remember when I started the pill I was felt SO sick. I also took Progesterone cream when I was having a hard time STAYING pregnant so maybe that is why they recommend it for PCOS. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon and everything evens out for you quickly.

Kamal · Answer 3 · 2012-01-26 20:33:51Z UTC

6

Check out this blog post about negative progesterone cream experiences, by our resident crazy lady Meredith / Bea Arthur DeVany...

http://hiitmama.blogspot.com/

answered Jan 26 2012 at 20:33

Kamal♦
27k●1●47●163

4

EEEEK! I thought that blog was dead! Here's my problem, I rarely ever take my own advice. I did start to use it again after awhile, but heck if I didn't get those same high cortisol symptoms - again. Anywhoo - here in an except from this book "Here's some info from "The Savvy Woman's Guide to PCOS" by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. pgs 247-249: : "Progesterone decreases insulin sensitivity, causing resistance to the glucose regulating effects of insulin. Progesterone's effect on insulin is quite rapid, and be detected within 10 minutes of taking the hormone. This is one of the reasons women ... – none Jan 26 2012 at 20:53

4

often experience increased cravings for sweets when progesterone levels rise sharply in the second half of the menstrual cycle. When premenstrual (luteal) phase hormone ratios are "progesterone dominant," and in women who have lower than optimal estradiol (most PCOS sufferers), the symptoms are classic: worse PMS, more intense sweet cravings, increased appetite, weight gain, bloating, fatigue, depressed mood and more premenstrual water retention. There is a lot of commercial marketing telling you to use over the counter progesterone creams. FOR WOMEN WITH PCOS, THIS CAN BE A DISASTER. If you.. – none Jan 26 2012 at 20:54

4

use progesterone supplements over a long time, and don't have the right balance of estradiol, you end up having more middle body fat gain, and more insulin resistance, and more androgen production," resulting in increased acne, hair loss etc. – none Jan 26 2012 at 20:54

1

>>>> serum test 56 (8-48)HIGH >>>> free test .3 (0-2.2) >>>> lh 13.4 (1.0-11.4) HIGH >>>> fsh 7.1 (1.7-7.7) >>>> DHEA-S 184.3 (98.8-340) >>>> estradiol 154.7 (43.8-211.0) >>>> progesterone .7 (1.7-27) LOW these are my sex labs and why i started taking the cream if anyone finds it useful – pennieloaf Jan 27 2012 at 16:01

1

very nice kamal! thanks for unmasking meredith! – grace Feb 4 2012 at 0:55

show 1 more comment

none · Answer 4 · 2012-01-26 21:05:58Z UTC

In addition to all the stuff I wrote under Kamal's answer, I have read that taking progesterone cream can at first cause a surge in thyroid activity or some kind of thyroid "dump". For example the first few times I slathered that stuff on I got a VERY speedy feeling which was weird to me since Progesterone is supposed to be kind of tranquilizing. That speedy feeling went away after just a few days and I chalked it up to thyroid. After that progesterone just make me sleepy, and hairy and crabby over time. Which is not to say that it's not advisable for people, I just really think you should know what your full hormonal panel looks like before going for it...like I did!

Kat · Answer 5 · 2013-04-17 13:21:54Z UTC

The progesterone cream should be a natural one, not a synthetic cream. You want to alter the imbalance there is in your hormones till it catches up. I have found that the cream works immediately and many symptoms seem to disappear. So you don't need to use it for a long period of time. Once you find you are getting on ok, you can stop and just use it now and again. This is just experiences I have heard.

progesterone cream questions

5 Answers