FYI Bio-ident. Progesterone Cream

ColleenCa · 07-06-2009, 11:29 AM

I thought I would post this as useful info. I had a blood test done to test my hormone levels (pre menopause) and my progesterone levels were very low while estrogen was high. He started me on bio-identical progesterone cream. That is when I really started having problems with the vaginal yeast infections. Hadn't had one in years and then BAM I can't get rid of it even after stopping the cream. He wanted me to stay on it as my hormone levels were becoming evenly balanced but I had to stop and will also discuss this with him on Thursday.

pure_radiance · 07-06-2009, 11:54 AM

I am taking the pill form of natural progesterone, 2 months now. I have not had that problem. Try yogurt suppositories, or my naturopath has even recommended putting acidophilis capsules right inside.....helps better than any OTC cream!

I love my progesterone!!! I can't wait until I can start it up again next week. I hate having to stop it....I get soooo tired and cranky within days of stopping it again....

ColleenCa · 07-06-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the info. I am going to go and try putting a capsule in right now. The creams are just not cutting it.

lighterbeing · 07-23-2009, 01:49 AM

I am really sensitive to Candida, am using Progesterone cream, and have not had any problems with it. Have you been on antibiotics, had more fruit or sugars? I do not recall the cream causing problems with yeast. It is a good thing to get those hormones balanced, you will feel much better.

Doggygirl · 07-24-2009, 06:10 PM

Hi you guys. I will weigh in by saying that I have not had any yeast issues related to BHRT Progesterone cream. That I am aware of any way, and I tend to be very aware when yeast infections come LOL!

I do have another question. I have not "cycled" up to this point. I understand that "cycling" (that's the term my doc uses anyway) is when you stop taking the cream for part of the month and you do have periods. Based on where I was with peri-menopause when I started just over a year ago, she said it was up to me to cycle (periods) or not (no periods). I chose no periods of course!

I'm not sure that was the right decision - or maybe things are changing to the positive in my body. But it feels like my body is trying to have perids (I had one about a month ago despite staying on the progesterone cream). And now I'm retaining water like nobody's business which makes me wonder if my body is trying to get back to "normal!"

I won't be seeing my doc for a few more weeks but am curious for those of you who DO cycle, what your doctors have you doing. Do you stop taking your progesterone completely, or just cut back the dose? For how long? Are there any adjustments you make to your estrogen when you cut back or cut out the progesterone?

Many thanks for whatever you can tell me about your methods and also your experience.

I've been continuing to try various health improvements to diet, exercise, and most recently the addition of Far Infrared Sauna to my regimen for 45 - 60 minutes nearly every day for detox. Maybe something is working.... (although I'd rather get perky boobs back than get a period back....

)

DG

CherryCola · 07-26-2009, 06:25 AM

FWIW Colleen, I think it's definitely plausible that the progesterone may have caused some yeast issues because in some folks, progesterone can be converted into cortisol - and those with high cortisol are often subjected to fungal infections because too much cortisol seems to cause an inflammatory environment with lowered immunity towards infections.

CherryCola · 07-26-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggygirl

I won't be seeing my doc for a few more weeks but am curious for those of you who DO cycle, what your doctors have you doing. Do you stop taking your progesterone completely, or just cut back the dose? For how long? Are there any adjustments you make to your estrogen when you cut back or cut out the progesterone?

Many thanks for whatever you can tell me about your methods and also your experience.

I'm pre-menopausal taking estradiol and progesterone, so I definitely need to cycle. My doc has me start the progesterone mid-cycle, and completely stop for the few days before my expected period. Supposedly, the drop in progesterone should signal menstruation. I do weird things with my estradiol

. My prescription is for a consistent amount of E cream for the entire month. However, based on the way I feel - I usually do less estradiol the first few days of my cycle and the last few days - just because I think that reflects what my body would be doing anyway.

Doggygirl · 07-27-2009, 06:05 AM

Thanks Cherry. I was having pre-period water retention and all that jazz so cut back on the progesterone significantly up until yesterday where I used none - voila - guess who came a callin'. I've also been cutting back in general on the estrogen. So without officially cycling - which means I'm sort of fighting what my body seems to be wanting to do, I've not had two periods at almost normal intervals (just over 30 days apart).

I think this definitely means I should check my levels and adjust my prescription probably, and start cycling definitely.

I've been doing a detox program involving daily Far Infrared Sauna accompanied by a series of supplements meant to boost my bodies detox capabilities. One of the things I've read is that our hormone levels and thyroid drop when our bodies are carrying a heavy toxic load. Maybe some correction is going on?

Hmmm....

Thanks for sharing your experience as it's a great help as I work "on my own" until my next doc appointment in a couple of weeks.

Thanks!

DG

ColleenCa · 08-06-2009, 02:10 PM

My doc told me that the progesterone creates excess moisture in the vaginal area and this can result in yeast overgrowth. So our plan is to get my thryoid under control and once that is at the right spot then start back on progesterone at a much lower dose. I hope it does not cause the yeast to come back but if it does he'll give me diflucan right away as that helped me a great deal.

07-06-2009, 11:29 AM	#1
ColleenCa Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12 Gallery: ColleenCa	FYI Bio-ident. Progesterone Cream I thought I would post this as useful info. I had a blood test done to test my hormone levels (pre menopause) and my progesterone levels were very low while estrogen was high. He started me on bio-identical progesterone cream. That is when I really started having problems with the vaginal yeast infections. Hadn't had one in years and then BAM I can't get rid of it even after stopping the cream. He wanted me to stay on it as my hormone levels were becoming evenly balanced but I had to stop and will also discuss this with him on Thursday.

07-24-2009, 06:10 PM	#5
Doggygirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: IL Posts: 621 Gallery: Doggygirl Stats: 204/147 (yeah!)/145-150 size 18/8/10 WOE: Moderate Carbs & Organic /Big Girl Gym Start Date: 5/22/08	Hi you guys. I will weigh in by saying that I have not had any yeast issues related to BHRT Progesterone cream. That I am aware of any way, and I tend to be very aware when yeast infections come LOL! I do have another question. I have not "cycled" up to this point. I understand that "cycling" (that's the term my doc uses anyway) is when you stop taking the cream for part of the month and you do have periods. Based on where I was with peri-menopause when I started just over a year ago, she said it was up to me to cycle (periods) or not (no periods). I chose no periods of course! I'm not sure that was the right decision - or maybe things are changing to the positive in my body. But it feels like my body is trying to have perids (I had one about a month ago despite staying on the progesterone cream). And now I'm retaining water like nobody's business which makes me wonder if my body is trying to get back to "normal!" I won't be seeing my doc for a few more weeks but am curious for those of you who DO cycle, what your doctors have you doing. Do you stop taking your progesterone completely, or just cut back the dose? For how long? Are there any adjustments you make to your estrogen when you cut back or cut out the progesterone? Many thanks for whatever you can tell me about your methods and also your experience. I've been continuing to try various health improvements to diet, exercise, and most recently the addition of Far Infrared Sauna to my regimen for 45 - 60 minutes nearly every day for detox. Maybe something is working.... (although I'd rather get perky boobs back than get a period back....) DG __________________ *Maintenance since 11/08*

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07-06-2009, 11:54 AM	#2
pure_radiance Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: WA State Posts: 19 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: pure_radiance Stats: 241/233.5/160 WOE: Swartzbein Start Date: June 30, 2009	I am taking the pill form of natural progesterone, 2 months now. I have not had that problem. Try yogurt suppositories, or my naturopath has even recommended putting acidophilis capsules right inside.....helps better than any OTC cream! I love my progesterone!!! I can't wait until I can start it up again next week. I hate having to stop it....I get soooo tired and cranky within days of stopping it again....

07-06-2009, 12:12 PM	#3
ColleenCa Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12 Gallery: ColleenCa	Thanks for the info. I am going to go and try putting a capsule in right now. The creams are just not cutting it.

07-23-2009, 01:49 AM	#4
lighterbeing Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kennesaw, Ga. Posts: 318 Gallery: lighterbeing Stats: 260/244/160 WOE: Atkins with extra Veggies Start Date: June 2009	I am really sensitive to Candida, am using Progesterone cream, and have not had any problems with it. Have you been on antibiotics, had more fruit or sugars? I do not recall the cream causing problems with yeast. It is a good thing to get those hormones balanced, you will feel much better.

07-26-2009, 06:25 AM	#6
CherryCola Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,039 Gallery: CherryCola Stats: Sz 10/6/4	FWIW Colleen, I think it's definitely plausible that the progesterone may have caused some yeast issues because in some folks, progesterone can be converted into cortisol - and those with high cortisol are often subjected to fungal infections because too much cortisol seems to cause an inflammatory environment with lowered immunity towards infections.

07-27-2009, 06:05 AM	#8
Doggygirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: IL Posts: 621 Gallery: Doggygirl Stats: 204/147 (yeah!)/145-150 size 18/8/10 WOE: Moderate Carbs & Organic /Big Girl Gym Start Date: 5/22/08	Thanks Cherry. I was having pre-period water retention and all that jazz so cut back on the progesterone significantly up until yesterday where I used none - voila - guess who came a callin'. I've also been cutting back in general on the estrogen. So without officially cycling - which means I'm sort of fighting what my body seems to be wanting to do, I've not had two periods at almost normal intervals (just over 30 days apart). I think this definitely means I should check my levels and adjust my prescription probably, and start cycling definitely. I've been doing a detox program involving daily Far Infrared Sauna accompanied by a series of supplements meant to boost my bodies detox capabilities. One of the things I've read is that our hormone levels and thyroid drop when our bodies are carrying a heavy toxic load. Maybe some correction is going on? Hmmm.... Thanks for sharing your experience as it's a great help as I work "on my own" until my next doc appointment in a couple of weeks. Thanks! DG

08-06-2009, 02:10 PM	#9
ColleenCa Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12 Gallery: ColleenCa	My doc told me that the progesterone creates excess moisture in the vaginal area and this can result in yeast overgrowth. So our plan is to get my thryoid under control and once that is at the right spot then start back on progesterone at a much lower dose. I hope it does not cause the yeast to come back but if it does he'll give me diflucan right away as that helped me a great deal.