Progesterone within normal range at menopause

Women's health
1

Hi Everyone,

I took one of the home hormonal tests that are readily available now via mail order. I just started bio-identical hrt and wanted to know my levels prior to beginning.

Oddly enough, when I got them back, my estrodial barely registered (less than .05) but my progesterone fell in the normal range (12) albeit low but still in the normal range. I was shocked by that. I was expecting that also to be very low.

I started the hrt on Monday. I am taking a compounded formula of Bi-est - cream - applied in the morning. I am sensitive to medications so I chose to do 3 days of just the estrogen before starting the nightly oral progesterone. I can tell you that I have felt really well these past three days. Happier, more energy, and less anxiety.

I took the oral progesterone last night. It is only 75 mg. because I am so sensitive to meds. My ob/gyn put me on very low doses to begin with.

I was anxious about taking it. I had an awful night's sleep which surprised me because I thought it was supposed to be relaxing. I tossed and turned. This morning I am tired and don't feel that happy calm energy I had been feeling.

Now that I just received my bloodwork I am wondering if I don't need a lot of progesterone seeing my body had low normal levels to begin with. I know you HAVE to take it with estrogen when you have a uterus.

Anyone else have experience with this? Or thoughts?

2

Hi Kim,
You are probably right about not needing such a high dose of progesterone. I am on progesterone cream, one pump 20mg, twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. I took a 200mg progesterone one time when I was first starting my bio identical creams and It was just like having the flu. I felt so sick and felt I couldn’t get out of bed the next morning. Very sluggish feeling. You can get bio identical progesterone cream over the counter so maybe try that. Progesterone typically calms you down and gives you a nice restful sleep but too much can have the opposite effect on some I think. I started my hormone replacement with compounded bi-est cream too. I included testosterone in mine along with estrodial and estriol. I loved it. I am on pellets now so have them inserted once every 4 months and still rub the progesterone cream on daily.

3

I’m on a 0.75 mg patch and also alternate with testosterone I find the progesterone makes me feel worse so I think that you should go with how you feel and don’t worry about it being bad not to take progesterone I’m also aware of all the risks but that’s just my personal choice you do what’s best I’m glad that works for you though..!

That’s a good sign that the estrogen was working for you go by what works for you
Xoxo