Progesterone intolerance | Dr Louise Newson

In her latest Instagram Live, Dr Louise Newson discusses progesterone and progesterone intolerance.
Additional resources:
• Progesterone intolerance - www.balance-me...
• Cyclogest: what you need to know - www.balance-me...
• PMS, PMDD and the menopause - www.balance-me...
• 5th Sept webinar - www.eventbrite...

[@Katepwe]

What are your thoughts on Menopause Taylor who says you ONLY need progesterone if you have a uterus and that the only role or benefit is to prevent uterine cancer and that it will increase the risk of breast cancer and it’s only role is to support pregnancy. She goes on to say that its help with sleep is a misconception and that people who believe it has other benefits have fallen prey to marketing, not science. Also, that micronized has the same concerns as synthetics. The information is all very confusing and contradictory.

[@cm1906]

I hear you. It’s difficult to know who to believe. Menopause Taylor echoes exactly what ob/gyns have been taught. After watching a video on latest findings on progesterone by the International Menopause Society a couple of years ago, I got the impression that Menopause Taylor is not up to date or unwilling to reconsider her position on progesterone for some reason. Having said that, I heard her say that she films her videos up to three years before they get released and she doesn’t do any in between updates based on newer findings, to my knowledge. The other thing I’ve noticed is while MT always insists that “women are not robots” and “no two women are alike”, when it comes to the use and effects of progesterone in individual women, she has a one size fits all opinion based on her belief that progesterone’s sole role is to support a pregnancy and to protect the uterine lining during HRT use. Meanwhile I’ve learned that men produce progesterone as well … Overall, I trust Dr Newson the most and am so grateful for her work and dedication to educating us with the latest knowledge.

[@Katepwe]

@@cm1906 Thanks for your input…..Agreed!

[@George-ky4wf]

I believe menopause Taylor is a MENACE, dangerous MIS- information churned out. Plus she shrieks and postures and shrills and patronises.. talks to women almost with contempt and like she's talking to children. Awful channel. Needs reporting for harmful misinformation. You should hear the absolute bs she spouts about testosterone. appalling

[@Tabitha_K]

Utrogestan made my sleep MUCH worse, whether I used it orally or vaginally. It also made me terribly constipated and bloated. I felt utterly miserable! Mirena is the only form of progestogen that I can tolerate.

[@Happyhomelifecookorganisation]

Progestrone cream is helpful in reducing water rentention and helps me with slee

[@GodsChild-128]

I used to be EXTREMELY progesterone intolerant, talk about dark moods, intrusive thoughts, and feeling drugged. I’m perimenopause 46yo, and was determined to find a way to make it work, and I did. Discovered the dose and best way to take it was vaginally, 50mg (half prometrium capsule, and I always put it on a dash of my vaginal estradiol cream, mostly just as a carrier at bed time the last 10-12 days of my cycle. And it’s PERFECT for me! I found my sweet spot and actually look forward to cycling it in at that time of the month. 100mg was way too much even still vaginally, 50mg combined with vaginal estradiol is like magic. I sleep great, mood is euphoric almost at times, doesn’t trigger migraine with aura when I come off it during menses. The only negative it still brings on is ravenous appetite and sugar/carb cravings. I’m a clean eater so that’s annoying and counter productive to perimenopause weight gain battle. BUT I figured out how to use it in my HRT, and actually like it now. Fun fact, a 100mg prometrium broke open into a tiny 1ml syringe, is exactly 4drops. Makes it easy to measure out 50mg is two “droplet” lines, on top of a dash of vaginal estradiol Cream. I prep the cream first in the vaginal appliactor, put 2 drops of prometrium on top and viola! Easy! Oh! One more thing!!! I ALSO at the same time finding this method, found I was severely iron Deficient & low testosterone. One month into iron supplements to bring my ferritin up and testosterone cream has also seemed to be part of the puzzle solution. Iron deficiency made me feel terrible on progesterone. And testosterone is just kind of awesome in itself. So she is right when she talks about other factors making your intolerance even worse. I feel like iron deficiency & low testosterone in some ways almost causes progesterone intolerance a little bit. I was that person that couldn’t even touch the oil or compounded cream, it would send me spiraling. So I hope my success and how to help someone out there. Try lower dose (at least at first), vaginally, on a dash of estradiol cream, and get your ferritin levels checked and testosterone into the mix if that’s not in your HRT yet

[@Karikk72]

I also found out my Ferritin was low. It was a 31 and doctor wants it 70-100. Iron supplements started 7/2/24. I started 100mg micronized progesterone 5/23/24. First eight weeks were awful. Anxiety was so bad. Started sleeping a little better after 8 weeks on it. But anxiety was still plaguing me. She has had me stop it for two weeks to see if anything improves. Anxiety comes and goes but my sleep has gotten worse. Not sleeping well at all. I have heard yu can use the oral capsule vaginally to help ease some of the side effects that progesterone causes. Ugh this is a vicious cycle and game. I am just so exhausted and confused at this point. My estrogen patch dose is 0.05mg. Tried to increase it to 0.075mg but felt yucky after a couple weeks and went back to the 0.05mg. Still have hot flashes and some night sweats so wanted to increase. Might just have to try the increase again and tough it out for a few weeks of feeling yucky. My testosterone test came back and it’s a 10. I don’t know why this all has to be so difficult. My system is very sensitive.

[@karenlopez5441]

Appreciate your post. I’m very sensitive to meds in general and started estradiol this year after being in menopause for about 6 yrs. Love the estrogen patch (.05) and feel energetic and no hot flashes or dryness. The oral micronized progesterone pills (100mg) are another story. I have a history of vertigo and very low BP and the progesterone has definitely brought on a few attacks but I’m also just generally woozy, drunk and off balance all the time. I can’t function at work. I am trying it vaginally and it seems better- mostly, but I wasn’t sure if the same pill dosage and frequency (daily or few days a wk?) would be ok. I don’t want a period. I don’t understand why some take it 10 days a month and others 30’days. Has anyone else had this vertigo/dizziness and found relief in the way you’re taking the progesterone?

[@Karikk72]

@@karenlopez5441 I have low blood pressure too. I was considering trying the 100mg progesterone vaginally as well. I need sleep and i desperately need to feel better. I get lightheaded easily. Hate that feeling. Still trying to find my right estradiol patch dose. Never had anxiety until menopause. Had my uterus removed in 2014 but menopause symptoms etc didn’t start for me until 2022. Still trying to get help. I have had CT’s and MRI’s to make sure head it ok and they all say ok. But I hate feeling lightheaded..it’s awful. I was prescribed the progesterone to help with sleep and anxiety. 😥

[@nogahorovitch1417]

@GodsChild-128 I also tried putting prometriumin a syringe. But the texture of prometrium is very thick, and I couldn't pump it into the syringe. Maybe you could please put a link from where you buy the syringe that you can enter into it the prometriumin, or a picture of suche syringe?

[@Drd7682]

Great info! Thanks for sharing your story. So glad you are feeling better.

[@ireneomara3809]

If using Utrogestan vaginally, will it still help protect the brain? Given it is being used locally.

[@Tabitha_K]

The blood levels of progesterone after vaginal administration are higher than after oral administration.

[@alexandraferreira561]

Do you feel better with progest vaginally? Doc said oral progest protect brain also.liver convert in alopreglone that's why we feel more alive and dead at same time,oh my 😢😂

[@Leila-ie3ms]

I took Utrogestan (not synthetic) and felt terrible but now take cyclogest with no problems. Trust your body and what works for you.

[@Christine-q2z]

Do you mind me asking what your symptoms were on Utrogestan? I've been using Utrogestan for a few years and more recently increased my dose (advised by my GP), however, my symptoms of headaches, nausea, low energy, dizziness have increased.

[@Leila-ie3ms]

@@Christine-q2z yes sure. A very horrible feeling in my body, very bad dizziness, dark mood and horrible thoughts of not wanting to be here, bleeding, a strange burning/gnawing in my chest, very tired and bloated. I do realise that lots of people get on fine with it but I have none of these symptoms with cylogest. Also no bleeding for the last year and half of taking it. I hope that helps

[@doctoralisonjohnson]

I didn't tolerate oral micronized progesterone - heart pounding out of my chest, insomnia, felt I was losing my mind. Learned from you I could take it vaginally, it was better but still could only do every other day 100mg. Started testosterone and thought let me try progesterone daily and see if I'm better. I'm now at 200mg once a day vaginally and experiencing the benefits and no ill effects from micronized progesterone. Testosterone really seemed to change the tide - so interesting. I wonder why?

[@Aurla-R2-D2]

Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating information! Very glad you found what works for you. I'm sure your story will help lots of others. All best wishes ^_^

[@alexandraferreira561]

Do have good sleep?

[@MegaLizzieloo]

Thankyou dr N, we are grateful 🙏 .. Your generosity with information is phenomenal. You have rescued an entire generation of women.

[@takinittotheheatandthestreet]

Please discuss for post menopsausal women that took estradiol patch & micronized progesterone many years after menopause & started heavily bleeding ! Stopped the estrogen still bled then stopped progesterone with estrogen only & vise versa but could not stop the heavy clots of bleeding every day for 2 months. Had to give up . I’m depressed about it

[@rocklobstah1876]

Such valuable information - thank you very much for this ❤

[@Darkwoods360]

My private HRT clinic says I need to take 200mg Uterogestan every day to match my 4 pumps of oestradiole instead of just 100mg. Does anyone else take it this way? I’ve tried but it feels too much and I get low mood and massive bloating so honestly back to 100 for now and adding Testosterone next 😅

[@NatalyaAlbertti]

I take 200 mg

[@suehardingsongs5734]

This is me. Bonkers on the pill..cried every day when I took it back in the late seventies...when I stopped because a relationship ended it was like a cloud lifted. Later heavy bleeding and anaemia, treated with a mirena coil..again instant bonkers. Also unexplained infertility😢 and one attempt at IVF...instant bonkers. Ironically I had an easy menopause ..

[@Karikk72]

I was started on 100mg micronized progesterone for sleep and anxiety….and the first 8 weeks were awful. Menopause induced anxiety was awful and so bad. Lightheaded and dizzy. Skin also broke out. Doctor has had me stop it for two weeks to see if symptoms improve. I don’t have a uterus, so not needed for that, but was hoping for the better sleep and ease of anxiety. It made anxiety so much worse. I will see how I feel after two weeks and make my decision. Anyone else experiencing this ????

[@Aurla-R2-D2]

On the Menopause Matters forum, a woman wrote the following about her experiences of taking Utrogestan progesterone, "For me, I feel suicidal on 100mg per day. The lowest of the low. Life is very black. My dose has been doubled to 200mg per day (I take it orally) and feel calm, happy, motivated. My body craves progesterone, which makes sense because I have always had symptoms of too much oestrogen which I thought was ‘normal’ PMT. Don’t give up, you will find the right dosage and toleration level. I almost gave up." I hope this may help you?

[@Karikk72]

@@Aurla-R2-D2 thank yu for this

[@Katepwe]

@@Karikk72 I wonder if using it vaginally would be a better option for you?

[@pamw3238]

I had the exact same as you. As I used more estrogen it seemed to calm the side effects but still hated progesterone. Uterus out now and I feel a million times better without progesterone

[@Karikk72]

@@pamw3238 thank yu . Yes I have heard so many women say they felt better when they stopped progesterone. My doctor said progesterone can have a lot more side effects

[@rutibso5225]

Will the vaginal micronised progesterone have similar effects on the brain to oral if it also gets absorbed to blood stream... is there any difference.. thanks

[@Tabitha_K]

Blood levels of progesterone are higher after vaginal than oral administration , this is because hepatic (liver) first pass metabolism is avoided.

[@deniset2926]

Really interested in this low dose natural progesterone cream!

[@laureltreepottery7457]

I would really love some information on just taking progesterone with NO estrogen for symptoms. Seems impossible to get anything about this.

[@triciab2354]

I've had two providers tell me it is ok to take progesterone alone. It's just estrogen that need progesterone with it if one has a uterus.

[@jax-sx9pk]

I take only progesterone because my symptoms are from estrogen dominance. As the other commenter said, progesterone on its own is fine, oral or vag.

[@laureltreepottery7457]

@@jax-sx9pk thank you for your reply, this is very interesting. Can I ask if you take it continuously or cyclical?

[@laureltreepottery7457]

@@triciab2354 Thank you. Yes, I am trying to find out how I know it's only progesterone I need. I think I need it for symptoms but my worry is that it may make it worse. There seems to be a lack of information on how to establish this.

[@jacquelinefoote8081]

Ummm 🤔 I was taking 200mg of cyclogest and it was still too high for me so I have been told to take half for 12 days will my womb still be protected?

[@JoannaCoombs]

Hello, Thank you very much for this very helpful video. I just have one question please: If I take the progesterone vaginally will I still have the benefits of the GABA in the brain? Many thanks

[@lovedaybebe5881]

Thank you for this information .

[@ruthsalinas9479]

I’m 43 years old and pretty sure I’m perimenopausal but also still get regular periods every 27-31 days. My periods have gotten so heavy they’re causing severe iron deficiency and affecting my quality of life 😩 My doctor prescribed 200mg progesterone nightly to help my extremely heavy periods. I asked about cyclic progesterone and starting at a lower dose because I’m afraid of the side effects/intolerance. She insists 200mg nightly is the correct path to take in order to suppress the bleeding and improve my iron. I’m nervous and unsure whether this is wise for my body. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏❤️

[@jax-sx9pk]

I have the same situation and take 300mg nightly, not cyclical. I have been taking it for 3 years. Love it! Great sleeps!

[@ruthsalinas9479]

@@jax-sx9pk So you started taking the progesterone to help your heavy bleeding? Were you also perimenopausal? And did you start at 300mg?

[@jax-sx9pk]

@@ruthsalinas9479 Yes to all three of your questions.

[@Aurla-R2-D2]

@@jax-sx9pk ~ Hi, Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do you also take any estrogen? Cheers ^_^

[@TerriYoung-m4c]

I don't know what I need. Trying to treat myself

[@rebeccapinto9926]

Can you talk to a doctor?

[@nadinechakar4193]

I’m 48 in perimenopause and have been taking 100mg progesterone continuously for the last 2 years. I still have regular periods. 😳

[@AS333uno]

Apparently Not all women taking utrogestan continuously, have their periods stop , especially if still in peri menopause. I am 54 , and have been using utrogestan cyclically for the last 4 years , I’ve recently only this month just switched over to continuous dose , due to having two periods a month for over 6 months which has a depleted my iron stores , and have been taking a higher dose of ferrous sulphate to bring iron stores back up to optimum levels . It seems this can happen as you near to menopause. I’m hoping that the continuous dose stops my periods 🤞🏼, but it says it takes 3-6 months on average for our body to adjust to the dose 🤍

[@jax-sx9pk]

I have been taking 300mg daily for the past 3 years. Period went away for about 2 years but has returned. I am having high estrogen symptoms.

[@maxineg1439]

Tried utrogestan 100mg vaginally and had terrible side effects. Felt like my veins were super activated, huge anxiety. Had to stop after 2nd day.

[@KalbinderHerr]

I have always been prescribed Utrogestan. Last three month pharmacist has dispensed Zentiva Progesterone and I feel awful. Joint pain horrendous and and other side effects should I insist on the the original progesterone (Utrogesttan). Please advise. Thank you.

[@riotess12]

When to take utrogestan if I have spotting for 2 weeks starting on day 22 of cycle and then bleed more heavily on day 36. Does it mean my new cycle starts on day 36 and I should wait 15 extra days for progesterone? Thank you

[@artsyFSH]

Thanks for the information. I was wondering what brand of natural progesterone cream can be used for someone who has an hysterectomy and is taking estradiol gel.

[@ruthx2614]

Why can’t we just take Duavee like they do in other countries? It contains an oestrogen antagonist which is not progesterone, so protects from hyperplasia without the awful side effects of progesterone. The NHS won’t prescribe it - anyone know if it’s available privately?

[@seemabains7692]

Is there increased risk of breast cancer with the marina coil as its synthetic?

[@nogahorovitch1417]

At time 26:48- what is the name of the Utrogestan like drug- jet protex? I don't hear the name properly, If someone can write the right name.

[@Swirleyful]

Gepretix

[@nogahorovitch1417]

@@Swirleyful Thank you!

[@lindapringle1285]

My nhs GP told me there are no progesterone pessaries available to prescribe! Are they only available private?

[@Tabitha_K]

They can’t be prescribed through the NHS for peri/post-menopause use.

[@essanjay8604]

Utrogestan is prescribed for oral use but can be used vaginally.

[@silviaconjar1184]

❤Thank you

[@janemasini356]

I'm worried as I'm having my mireena coil removed next week, I'm indecisive 🙃 as it's been misplaced and I'm unsure of having it replaced😮 I waa on thd combined pill microgynon 30 I was fine with that until I went on hrt! After my op I had in 22 they inserted mireena and I had estradot patch ! Unfortunately I wasn't absorbing thd patch that well , so the Dr put me on ostragel as my coil been misplaced I was recommended to take utragestran orally , it made me so ill I had to stop and suggested to taje it vaginally! Now I take peasary utragestran peasary 200mg vaginally ! I do normally suffer from heavy periods! I've always had pms 😫 suffer from sleep anxiety and anxiety in perimenopause and menopause! I'm in catch22 situation 😢 as I don't know to continue with utragestran vaginally? Or just having it removed? The only thing I'm worried if my heavy bleeding will come back😮 I haven't got a clue where the coil is!❤

[@imarianalee3805]

Has anyone experience problems with your joints? I started having joint inflammation. I removed my mirena and felt better but then I started taking utrogestan and then having similar issues. Pain on tendons and specially around joints 🤯 I have to take it as part of my hrt. Help!

[@AS333uno]

So I experienced joint pains , quite a lot , especially in my hips for the first time during peri menopause in the last year of being on Eostrogel and utrogestan for 4 years. I’m aged 54 , I increased my Eostrogel by one pump , and within a few weeks all joint aches and pains stopped . It is more often the reason that oestrogen is low when joint pains are present , hope that helps .

[@imarianalee3805]

@@AS333uno Thank you! I think this is more related to progesterone in my case. The reason why is because the pain comes and goes when there is interaction with progesterone. For instance, when I removed mirena, many of the pains went away and when I started taking utrogestane they came back. I do want to increase eotrogene but I need to get the hand off progesterone first.

[@teresadale3549]

Had lining of my womb removed(ablation) due to heavy periods 9 years ago. Is utogestan still important to take with my estrogen gel?

[@cynthiaphillips9373]

Good question! I'd like the answer to this too. I've read where 100mg of progesterone is needed to see benefits in preventing uterine cancer (while taking estradiol) but what if you've had an ablation? Is 100mg necessary?

[@agnesjuhasz7715]

Is medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone acetate still considered unsafe? If this is so, why are they the first still to be prescribed in many countries? Like in mine… First doctor prescribed Provera with an estradiol gel and when I went to see a second doctor for a second opinion about the safety of Provera, he prescribed a combination oral pill that contains NETA.. when I asked for micronised profesterone, both looked at me like I was nuts. I have no idea which one to start as a perimenopausal 50 year old, I don’t know which is safer

[@rutibso5225]

Keep trying to find someone who prescribes micronised progesterone

[@rutibso5225]

Health care systems are shockingly bad and slow at implementing new safety evidence. I know. I work in one

[@agnesjuhasz7715]

@@rutibso5225yes, that is my thought as well , but many thanks for your confirmation about it❤