I'm in my mid forties and have hashis that isn't being treated properly (have found a private Endo kindly recommeded here, but need a referral which I can't get, so stuck) I also have Fibromyalgia. I am having what I assume are pre-menopausal symptoms x10, plus very heavy periods and I am just so physically unwell and frankly so miserable. Sometimes I just find myself crying.
I am worried that my hormones are completely out of whack and wonder if progesterone cream might help a bit. I can't afford to go to a holistic doctor. I phoned one and was quoted £365 for a consult without any tests being done.
Is there a test I can take to see whether I need to supplement with PC? Also do you have any experience using and has it helped with your symptoms?
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Alanna012
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I’ve not used progesterone cream, but I’ve recently posted on peri menopause symptoms. I bought a book recommended by Ashanat, another forum member, which I’ve found useful; The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep, Sex Drive and Vitality Naturally with the Gottfried Protocol.
There are lots of questionnaires & suggestions / supplements based on your answers in this book. I’m currently using Black Kohosh & flax seeds. I did give Maca powder a whirl, but it tastes too much like Ovaltine for me!
Keep posting if you need further support. We are here to support one another.
Thanks for that book recommendation Buddy195, I went to Amazon and had a look, looks good. Is the black Cohosh working for you?
I must say I'm inccreasingly annoyed that I'm not getting any help about this from my doctor. They would rather write me off as a crazy anxious depressed woman!
i went through the menopause in my early 40s. I too have Hashi's though that wasn't diagnosed until years later. I used progesterone cream, black cohosh and vitus agnus castus supplements and I felt that they helped me a lot, though everyone is different of course. I had very few hot flushes, sleep disturbance wasn't too bad and mood swings were bearable.
I would never ever have taken HRT despite my GP constantly trying to push it on to me.
Can I ask which brand of cream do you use grumpy? And what brand Agnus castus. My vagina is about as hospitable as the Sahara desert, have you found (assuming you get vaginal dryness) it helps with that? You don't have to answer that bit if you don't want of course!
Hi Alanna, I am so sorry I don't remember which brands of cream and agnus castus I used. It was over 24 years ago now (I'm 64). I know I used to buy them from the same health/whole foods shop in Watford, Herts, but I have just googled it and it seems to have gone. Hardly surprising I suppose.
Vaginal dryness.....oh dear me yes!!! I'm single and have been for years so luckily my own personal desert can remain as arid as it likes, lol. So, sorry I can't help re the last question either.
Lol! Well I'm single too these days though mine left when the desertification occurred, which is either good or bad depending on how you look at it. Maybe he was the cause I don't know. No cream will work on that I suppose., lol
Aww, at least we still have our sense of humour. You are probably better off without the deserting rat. Bit of an obscure reference but hopefully you get it, lol
Hey buddy. See my previous posts! I asked the question about how to get a referral and @slowdragon reckons that’s if you ask for a referral to see a Private Dr they should do it - they’ll only likely refuse if it’s a referral to NHS specialist. I got loads of helpful replies also..but that was in private message and nailed it. I’m definitely going to ask my local surgery again
Yes they should do but I asked my GP for a private referral to Dr P and he said NO cos it would ‘waste his time’! I changed GP and next GP was really concerned that I was so ill and arranged lots of things and set me on the road to recovery x
This is what I'm worried about as I have been treated quite appallingly overall, told by one doctor when my TSH was just under 5 that 'I was fine' and I was 'making myself' ill. and point blank refused any further treatment. Refused doctors notes when complaining about being in pain by another. Told to 'rest some more' after explaining I was so tired I was spending weeks in bed by yet another. . And even when I took results from a private dermatologist to my main doctor showing elevated antibodies, and suggesting refferal to NHS endo - was told will not refer to NHS thyroid clinic. Not had vit D tested, hormones tested, or even a full thyroid antibody check. And keep getting anti depressants suggested to me instead.
At this point I am so low I cannot take another boorish doctor refusing a normal request. I am finding NHS doctors quite cruel overall. Maybe I'm just unlucky, but I've seen around 6 now and am coming to the conclusion that a lot of them are misogynistic professional ego worshipers.
Its awful isn’t it. I find it so appalling how females are treated.
They are not all like that though honestly. Im so glad I refused to see my dismissive GP because another two in the practice have really picked up the baton- really caring and listen. Then an NHS Endo last week who was so thorough and kind so dont lose heart, shop around x
Aww I had the same treatment from my drs and if it’s any consolation I got a refferral to an NHS Endo who only once tested my levels free T3 freeT4 but was not Interested in Antibodies then only tested TSH and discharged me!
I have used this forum for advice it’s been a life saver and had private blood tests Medichecks I’ve even done finger prick blood test myself and if you pop results on here someone will advise you lots of people have to do this and just have a check up at your drs as and when necessary !
Hi Alanna, I also had very heavy and long period in my mid 40s. I asked my GP to remove my copper coil and put me on the progesterone only pill, Cerelle. I have not had a period since which is bliss. There may be a benefit in taking progesterone during menopause and the progesterone only pill is one way. I am now nearly 55 and I have so far not had any menopausal symptoms. I plan to stay on Cerelle at a slowly decreasing dose until I am 60.
This is really interesting, and something I will bring up with my GP,...if they listen (god help me). I was on the POP briefly after my first son was born and felt fine on it. Never thought about it since but being as I bloom in pregnancy when Progesterone is really high and am never sick, maybe it's worth considering taking the POP. I might ask at the walk in sex clinic for their advice.
I have had some experience using progesterone creams - can’t say that they’ve done a lot for me. What has been more successful for me is red raspberry leaf tea, Vit. E, and fish oil (especially for vaginal dryness), and Evening Primrose. Chasteberry is supposed to be very good for natural progesterone production. (I have not had the chance to try it). Since I have been using fish oil in the maximum dosage recommended on a daily basis I’ve had zero and I mean zero vaginal dryness and I am well into menopause. Evening primrose, in my experience is the very best for my body and natural progesterone production, in fact I have to take the minimum dose of the evening primrose or I will get PMS all over again! (headaches etc. within 24 hours!).
Isabella Wentz tells us that progesterone is for those of us who are estrogen dominant as we get into perimenopause and menopause. And the estrogen dominance can cause all kinds of problems including making us act like a “crazy woman”! It can cause adrenal problems which is not recognized at all by mainstream medical. She also says that those of us with Hashi’s, at least 50% of women with Hashi’s, have adrenal problems that can exacerbate Hashimoto’s and interfere with the thyroid hormone supplement. Estrogen dominance can contribute to adrenal problems.
Another thing that has been very very helpful with “crazy woman” syndrome for me (and please hear facetious humor - it’s awful the way doctors treat women w/Hashi’s and additional problems), is equal amounts of B6 and magnesium. This was recommended to me over 30 years ago before I knew I had Hashimoto’s - I was under the care of a very kind gynecologist - she told me that it acts as a natural calming and diuretic agent. Oh was she right! I have passed this recommendation on to so many other women. Even on a low dosage of equal parts of B-6 and magnesium it works. Here in the US, the NOW brand makes their own formula that includes this combination and some other herbs and they call it “True Calm”. I have even taken just B-6 with a lot of greens that have magnesium in them and experienced almost immediate relief. (Calming). All of these things help with estrogen dominance, with adrenal stress, with thyroid hormone leveling.
Thanks for this detailed information. I take fish oil, but only one capsule and not everyday as I forget as I'm taking so much of everything else. I think I shall try and be a more dedicated taking it, and take a higher dose. Don't do evening primrose either. I do take magnesium and B vit complex though but not sure about the balance of B6 to magnesium. That was very interesting what the gynae told you. I need to try this. There's a supplement called calm here but I think it's camomile or something.
I am almost 62 and just hit menopause last year. I have used progesterone cream on and off since my 40's. I had very heavy bleeding until about 5 years ago. I refused a hysterectomy because they were going to take my ovaries. I've never had a hot flush and at my age no vaginal dryness. I've used low dose progesterone cream every day for the past 2 years as I was estrogen dominant and my progesterone was so low it was near undetectable. The cheapest place to get your hormones tested is ultrasound direct. They only charge £40 per test and I had the results within 24hrs. I wouldn't advise the use of the cream without hormone testing. Pre menopause your. P: E2 ratio should be at least 100-500 :1
The progesterone will help your adrenals and your thyroid function. You may find it will also lessen your fibromyalgia also you will find fibro pain would disappear with optimal thyroid medication.
thanks this is really good info. i suspect i have an imbalance of hormones- i just looked up this company but I couldn't see any tests for hormones, can you please tell me exactly what test you had with them?
I had my progesterone and my estrogen tested. If you are post menopause you can have them tested any day. If you are still having periods progesterone on day 21 and estrogen on day 3. If you look for women's health scans you will find the hormone blood tests there. It comes under fertility testing. The ratio you have to work out for yourself. If you have a problem working it out pm me x
Thanks for the info, wow you hit menopause quite late. I suspect I won't be that lucky and mine is around the corner. Thanks for the ultrasound direct tip x
Hi there, I use natural progesterone cream prescribed to me by a holistic private GP who specialises in female hormones. She also has an interest in thyroid conditions. She’s excellent. I think I paid about £300 which included all the tests from memory, so she’s cheaper than what you’ve already been quoted? Theres obviously an ongoing cost of prescriptions and follow up apt’s but it’s not as much as that. If you’re interested I can PM you her details? I do know that if you’re in the south, you can get referred to the John radcliffe hospital in oxford and there’s one gynae specialist who prescribes natural progesterone but the waiting list is long. If you don’t want to go the private route perhaps it’s worth investigating that or finding out if there’s someone local to you?
I was diagnosed with almost non existent progesterone and comparatively high oestrogen, as well as very low free testosterone. Personally I think it’s marvellous stuff, I don’t get menopausal symptoms and no nasty side effects (can’t take synthetic HRT because of the horrible side effects).
My GP refused to give me a referral to a private doctor. I went home and typed up a very strongly worded letter explaining how desperate I was feeling and stated that I wouldn't hold the Practice liable for any treatments I was given by my private doctor. I was then given the referral. Worth a shot. Good luck.
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lots of people have to do this and just have a check up at your drs as and when necessary ! 
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