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[Sb1974]

Hi there,

I am looking for some reassurance from this brilliant group of ladies !!! 2 months ago I increased my Oestrogen gel up to 4 pumps from 2 under the doctor's supervision to try and help with my low mood. I was in a very bad way. I now have a Oestradiol level of 453 pmol/L which I understand from my doctor is a good high level. Brilliantly my mental health is much much better and in  the last week or so the low mood has all but gone.  I am guessing because my level of Estrogen has gone up.

However, I am now experiencing some discomfort similar to PMS - lower back pain, twinges/ache in womb area, trapped wind, nausea.

I should add that I have not had a period for a couple of months now and even when I do they are very light.

Has anybody else experienced this type of discomfort with an increase in their Oestrogen/Estrogen?

Thank you, Sam.

[bombsh3ll]

These symptoms can be estrogen related especially nausea, but that isn't an excessive blood level and if you are improved over all it is probably worth sticking with that dose - it may settle as your body adjusts.

Some of it could also be progesterone related in particular the low back pain - what regime are you on?

[joziel]

How much progesterone are you taking? You might need to increase the progesterone now you have increased the estrogen...

[Sb1974]

Thank you both so much for replying - I am on 100mg of progesterone with a three day break after every 28 days - do you think I need more ?

[bombsh3ll]

The guidelines would say yes, however individual responses vary, and 100mg might be perfectly adequate for you if you are under a specialist who is monitoring you for endometrial thickness e.g. with an ultrasound scan yearly.

How do your symptoms fit in with the progesterone - are they better on it or off it?

Sometimes fluctuating hormone levels can cause more symptoms than stable levels.

There is no need to induce a monthly withdrawal bleed just for the sake of it unless you feel you are getting some kind of value from the 3 day progesterone break.

[joziel]

I would say yes, if you are experiencing " lower back pain, twinges/ache in womb area, trapped wind, nausea."

For me, that would be build up caused by unopposed estrogen - which you may or may not be shedding. (Since sometimes you need to take higher P to shed the lining, it works both ways as a secretory hormone to cause shedding, as well as when stopped, it triggers the shed.)

I'm on 300mg continuously, well, with a 4-5 day break to bleed. I am on a high estrogen dose though, although I don't absorb well...

[Sb1974]

Thank you so much for all your replies I do really appreciate it it has really put my mind at rest. I will ask DR about checking for endometrial thickness and I will look up the guidelines re levels of progesterone and send over to my DR to get her feedback. I think I would feel happier if I was on higher dose of progesterone and I don't think I am negatively affected by it. I am going to ride out the symptoms and review in another month and hope that it settles.  Thank you again, Sam.