Peri-Menopause? Wellsprings 20-1 Cream.

[TheCatsWhiskers]

Hi,

Not really thyroid this one, so I hope someone might be able to help (I have Hashimotos, but levels are good at the mo on T4 & T3).

I have a history of depression (& another chronic health condition), but I'd been managing both really well for the last 4-5 yrs (chronic condition has been overal better & only very small blips in depression that were manageable). Since last summer I've had a really bad time with my depression/anxiety returning, really out of the blue. I'd taken pregnenolone at a low dose for many years & came off it abruptly which may have prompted it. I'm back on it now however and a new antidepressant, but I'm still having bad times. 

During all this downturn since the summer I've been wondering if I'm becoming/am perimenopausal which has maybe prompted it. My periods are kind of regular, but I've had some shorter cycles and they overall are heavier. I've also had other hormone symptoms - worsening migraines (hormones always been trigger for them with me), dryness & UTI's.  I'm 46. 

I had 2 female hormone blood tests last year (1 month apart - one private, one NHS) and both showed LH & FSH mid range, so good, but progesterone & oestrogen at the very end of the low range (the NHS test showed the oestrogen just outside the low range). My male GP thought my levels fine, but a female GP said 'I was just like you at your age and gave me menopause print outs and said think about whether you want to trial HRT. She said because of the progesterone in HRT though, that can make some depressed! My male GP dismissed the idea of HRT altogether. 

I contacted Wellsprings, gave them my test results, symptoms, age etc and they suggested their 20-1 cream (progesterone with a bit of oestrogen) - bio-identical that I'd take days 14-28 of my cycle only - stop it on days 1-13. 

I've never seemed to fit the normal PMT picture however - often I feel worse after my period & at ovulation, but I'm different each month. Some months I get no flare ups around my cycle, others its awful. 

I started 20-1 this week at the normal 1/8th teaspoon dose night & morning, but 3 days on it I feel quite PMT-ish! 

To be honest I don't know whether to just leave well alone on the hormone side, or whether to continue with the 20-1 incase hormones are the the root of my depression at the mo! Anyone got any advice?! 

[shaws Administrator]

I think that maybe 3 days is too short a time to evaluate the product.

[TheCatsWhiskers in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws,

Yep I know what you mean - I just wondered if anyone else had tried it, or were of a similar age & could give some advice! 

All this though you stab around in the dark a bit, I know. 

Many thanks. 

[shaws Administrator in reply to TheCatsWhiskers]

I actually ordered some myself yesterday - I am well past menopause but I'll give you another link which you might enjoy. I am looking forward to being completely rejuvenated.  

Take your pick:-

youtube.com/results?search_...

[TheCatsWhiskers in reply to shaws]

Gosh, that lady's very enthusiastically American isn't she!  

[Angel_of_the_North]

I found that I need more like 50-1 progesterone to oestrogen, and also that creams didn't really work for me, better than nothing but not great. I needed sublingual lozenges. Progesterone tends to make you more laid back, so if you have "can't be bothered" type of depression, I suppose it might make it worse. Really you need to try it for 3-6 months before deciding whether it works for you.

[TheCatsWhiskers in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Hi Angel of The North - thanks for your reply. 

Do you mind me asking what stage of the menopause or age you are? Feel free to say 'bl**dy cheek!' & not answer lol! 

X

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to TheCatsWhiskers]

I get my pension next month.

[TheCatsWhiskers in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Have you been using progesterone for many years, or more recently?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to TheCatsWhiskers]

Since 2009 or so after trying every natural remedy for nearly 7 years

[Yvette65 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Hi Angel_of_the_North.... how did you find out that you needed 50-1 ? Also which oestrogen are you using Estriol ? I am currently on progest and estriol... but symptoms don't seem to be improving

Many thanks

Y

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Yvette65]

By trying different ratios in prescription until symptoms went away. Part estriol, part estradiol. Creams did nothing at all for me.

[Yvette65 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

thanks, for the symtpoms to go away was it a case of increasing the Progest ? Estriol / Estradiol ? As currently trying to find the holy grail of the balance

Thanks

Yx

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Yvette65]

Increase progesterone several times and substitute DHEA for testosterone once.

[Yvette65]

Many thanks... hope don't mind the Q's , trying to get this all sorted...how long did you leave it after increasing before you increased again ? How much mg Progesterone and Estriol are you on ? Do you know if the depression is due to the progesterone or the Estrogen ? Results the other month showed I was estrogen deficient and my specialist prescribed me Estriol and Progest... currently 0.75 Estriol and 15 mg of Progest but suffering with symptoms depression, flushes , tingling feet, aches in joints etc

Many thanks

Y x