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[Flossie]

Hello,

I turned 50 last Sept & I've been told by my GP that I am at the start of the Menopause. Symptoms include hot flashes which have gotten progressively worse over the past 2 months. No sweats but a feeling of clamminess & I'm woken up to 5 times a night. I have Fybromyalgia too so sleeping is compromised all around as I have a lot of muscle pain at night.

I'm not sure how much of my muscle & joint pain s Fibro and how much is the 'M' ? It has gotten worse since the hot flashes have increased.

I've put on over a stone in the past year and feel very bloated. I cannot lose weight and feeling mightly fed up as exercising is pretty painful.

I've read a little about NATURAL PROGESTERONE CREAM, and confused as to whether it might be worth trying as I really don't feel I want to go onto traditional HRT.
Has anyone any experiences of using NATURAL PROGESTERONE CREAM ? Is it worth trying ? Do I need to see my GP, is it prescriptive ? Do I need a hormone level test ?

Any help & advice would be very welcome. I am worried about side affects of HRT and what happens if I succumb & want to come off it. Do you end up going through all the horrid 'M' symptoms anyway ?

Confused ...

[Rowan]

Here is some info Flossie   http://www.npis.info/basicprogesterone.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9VRccHLUN0

Some on MM will advise against Natural progesterone cream but you have asked about it. Lots of women swear by it and  others say it does not work for them.

I have used it and it worked for me, it help me to sleep and is calming.

Before menopause the body makes about 25.30 mgs naturally daily after ovulation, the recommended dose for Natural Progesterone Cream is an eighth of a teaspoon once or twice a day. You can get it online, you don't need a blood or hormone test, your doctor might be willing to give you a private prescription, this is how I first tried Natural Progesterone cream years ago.

It is not advised to use natural progesterone cream if you are taking prescribed estrogen to combat build up of the womb lining.

Utrogest used in combination with estrogen in HRT, the dosage is 100mgs daily I think.

[Hurdity]

Hi Flossie

 

I am wondering why you don't want to go onto HRT?

You can use bio-identical oestrogen as well as the progesterone (Utrogestan) that silverlady mentions at the end of her post. For most of the time I have only ever used these "natural" products ( ie products that replace the same hormones that my body makes). You can get these on the NHS so minimal cost.

This is what Dr Currie says about it on this site:

PROGESTERONE CREAM "Natural" progesterone cream is available on private prescription in varying strengths. Studies have shown inconsistent results on effect on menopausal symptoms. Claims for a protective effect on bones have not been confirmed. Women who take systemic estrogen for menopausal symptoms must also take progestogen to protect the womb lining from being stimulated by the estrogen. Progesterone cream is not suitable for giving protection to the womb lining and should not be relied on for this purpose..

For most of us it is the drop in oestrogen that causes the distressing symptoms, and therefore oestrogen replacement is the only way to minimise or eliminate them.

There are several recent threads about coming off HRT - and for most of us it is our state of health and well-being for the years when we are going through menopause that are important - when we may still have children to look after, and demanding jobs as well.

As silverlady says progesterone does have a sedative effect - but that is only part of the picture.

If your periods have become irregular then why not think about HRT - we can advise on the types available.

Lots of us tried various "natural" remedies initially (I used Black Cohosh) and for some it seems to work for a few months, but eventually when our hormone levels drop further, most find that these remedies do not actually work!

Hurdity x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Flossie and welcome to MM
Everyone experiences the meno differently and the severity of the symptoms is usually the reason many of us decide to use HRT. Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen.  Once you are better informed you will be able to make positive decisions about what, if any, treatment you wish to take.  Don't be frightened of HRT and if you do decide you want to give it a try you mustn't feel a failure.  HRT can often help women cope with very busy and stressful lives.
To answer your concern about coming off HRT - yes it can bring a return of meno symptoms but I have recently come off HRT and my flushes and night sweats are not as bad as they were when I had a break from HRT 8 years ago.
Nobly can tell you how long the meno symptoms will last - for a lucky few it is a few months to a year but for others in can be many years!!!! Quality of life is everything - if your meno symptoms are preventing you from leading the life you want, then HRT is the only real answer.
To be honest, I tried all sorts of remedies for the meno symptoms back in my early 50s and it was a waste of time and money.  When I knew I was coming off HRT this time round, I upped my omega 3 intake and concentrated on eating really well and taking lots of brisk walks to protect my heart and bones.
Hurdity always brings sound advice - she has a science background.
Do ask more questions.  Good luck  DG x

[Cassie]

Hi I tried the cream for a year, it helped nothing and my gynae advised me against it as it did not offer enough uterine protection/opposition, as Hurdity pointed out, as I was using oestrogen gel  at the time as well. Utrogestan is a natural progesterone and combined with a gel or a patch is a very effective HRT and considered one of the safest. All the best in your decision.

[Rowan]

"I've read a little about NATURAL PROGESTERONE CREAM, and confused as to whether it might be worth trying as I really don't feel I want to go onto traditional HRT"

I answered Flossie's query.

I might not have a scientific background but I am well read  and never talked about anything I have not tried myself.

Serenity natural progesterone cream has 8,354 followers on facebook so some women do get on with natural progesterone cream.

Its a personal choice,  for Flossie the cream may or may not work. Not every woman has success with HRT either or want to take it.

[Cassie]

Agree silverlady, each to their own, but am just saying that if she decides to use conventional HRT in the form of oestrogen, then the cream is not the way to go for progesterone oppostion...

[Rowan]

I did say that Cassie in my post

 "It is not advised to use natural progesterone cream if you are taking prescribed estrogen, to combat build up of the womb lining"

I think posts about natural progesterone cream really belong in the "Tell us how you cope without HRT" forum.

Less flak there.

[honeybun]

You can have a search and read what has been said before.

To be honest it always causes disagreements on the forum as opinion is very divided.
It's each to her own. What works for one does nothing for another and who knows what it will do for you. No harm in trying if that's what you want.


Honeyb
x

[Cassie]

I know you did... but it is very NB and am just reiterating the point.

[Rowan]

NB? You have got me there Cassie 
But have noted.

[honeybun]

Yep.....disagreements

 



Honeyb
x

[Rowan]

Not sure what was meant HB but took it to mean " please note"    on my kindle in bed so hope this post works 

[Cassie]

NB = important 

[Rowan]

Nota bene - note well- please note -NB, I always thought. I think it can be used as - important but it is not quite the same thing e.g It is important to note well, or NB- important.

I am nit picking really