Progesterone, Progestins & Progesterone Cream

Our goal is for every one of our menopausal patients to be able to say … I’m Back to being me.

Dr. N provides bio-identical treatment regimens that will resolve your  hot flashes, sweats, sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue, depression, give you back your sex life and keep you looking younger.

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Do I need to take progesterone if  I am on HRT?

If you still have your your uterus it is important that your HRT regimen includes a progesterone. The reason for this is that one of the natural functions of estrogen is to stimulate lining of the lining of your uterus. Before you reach menopause during your natural menstrual cycle you produce progesterone to prevent the uterine lining from being over stimulated.

Unfortunately, some menopausal women experience unpleasant symptoms while using progesterone. The challenge becomes how to individualize a regimen, that allows menopausal women to receive the documented health and quality of life sustaining benefits of estrogen replacement, while both adequately protecting the uterus and avoiding any potential progestin-related side effects.

What exactly are progesterone and progestins?

Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the ovary following ovulation in premenopausal women. Progestins, are synthetic products, which mimic the effects of progesterone. The term progestogen, is used to describe hormones that provide progesterone-like activity, and this includes both progesterone and progestins. Although it may seem a little confusing at first, when I am referring to both progesterone and progestins collectively, I will use the term progestogen.

What kind of side effects?

Many women are intolerant to progesterone and progestins experiencing unpleasant symptoms, ranging from mild, to severe and life altering. Other menopausal women object to the withdrawal bleeding that may accompany progesterone and progestin use.

In addition, there is evidence that some progesterone, or progestin regimens may interfere with the beneficial effects of estrogen.

Will I definitely have unpleasant symptoms while using a progestogen?

No, the majority of women may not experience significant symptoms while using a progestogen. However, those women who do are often discouraged from continuing their HRT program.

What unpleasant symptoms can accompany progestogen use?

Unpleasant symptoms may include irritability, fatigue, depression, diminished libido, emotional volatility, breast tenderness, muscle aches, fluid retention, constipation, uterine cramping, changes in appetite, headaches and insomnia. Some women may experience none of these symptoms while others may experience all of them.

What kind of problems can “unopposed” estrogen stimulation cause?

“Unopposed” estrogen administration may result in irregular and excessive vaginal bleeding and abnormal changes of the uterine lining, including estrogen-induced endometrial cancer. Progestogens downgrade the sensitivity of the estrogen receptors in the uterine lining and reduce the frequency of these problems. It is so effective in preventing excessive stimulation of the uterine lining, that appropriate administration of progestogen, lowers the incidence of endometrial cancer to below that of non-users of HRT.

How do I include a progestagen in my HRT regimen?

There are 2 basic regimens, along with some variations.

In the first the estrogen is given continuously and the progestogens are taken for 10-12 days each month. In this method, after finishing the progestogen, women using this regimen will usually have what is referred to as “scheduled withdrawal bleeding,” beginning 1-7 days after the final progestogen dose each month. This is referred to as “sequential therapy.” Some women find the bleeding unacceptable and are less likely to continue HRT.

In the second method, estrogen and a smaller dose of a progestogen are combined and taken daily. This is often referred to as “continuous-combined therapy.” The rationale for this regimen is to prevent any vaginal bleeding, but some women experience persistent spotting, or bleeding. This regimen is available in both oral and transdermal formulations. It is recommended by many experts and has gained wide patient and physician acceptance in the United States.

Which method do you recommend?

I almost always suggest sequential HRT regimens. On the surface it might seem more attractive to use continuous-combined therapy and avoid any withdrawal bleeding, but this method may be less optimal than using a progestogen for 10-12 days each month.

Why?

There are many women who are users of continuous combined-therapy and are happy with this regimen. They have good control of menopausal symptoms, are not bothered by the daily progestogen dose and are able to avoid any withdrawal bleeding. For women who consider scheduled vaginal bleeding unacceptable and would not use HRT if it necessitated bleeding, continuous combined therapy is likely the best option.

Nevertheless, there is preliminary research evidence that suggests that a commonly used oral continuous-combined HRT formulation containing conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone may interfere with the cardioprotective benefits of estrogen.

In addition, studies funded by the National Cancer Institute demonstrated an increase in the incidence of lobular carcinoma, a relatively uncommon form of breast cancer in patients using this formulation. The over all increase in cancer risk appears to be small and further studies are needed to define the issue, however for the moment, it might be more prudent to use either sequential therapy, or a non oral formulation of continuous-combined therapy.

There are alternate oral continuous-combined formulations and the status of these preparations relative to the aforementioned studies will be addressed in ongoing and future research.

If a woman has had a hysterectomy does she need to take a progestogen?

If the uterus is not present, there is no need for a progestogen, natural, or synthetic. Some make the argument that progesterone should be used “for balance,” in women without a uterus, as it more closely resembles a woman’s natural cycle. I do not recommend this as a premenopausal woman’s progesterone level is for practical purposes nearly undetectable for most of the ovulatory cycle and there is no reason to unnecessarily expose her to any potential negative consequences of progestogen use.

There is one subset of women who have had a hysterectomy where progestogen replacement would be a consideration. Those women who have had a surgical menopause because of endometriosis and residual endometrial tissue is known, or suspected to remain in the body. There have been a few cases reported in the medical literature where residual endometrial tissue has undergone malignant transformation. This is rare, but if residual endometriosis is a consideration, 10-12 days of a progestogen at 1-3 month intervals would be reasonable.

I suffer from a number of the symptoms you mention while using a progestin, is there any way to lessen the problem?

In some, but not all cases, it is possible to diminish the impact of these problems by changing the type, dose, schedule, or route of administration of the progestogen, but ultimately the symptoms are a direct effect of the progestogen, whether synthetic or natural. Many women have fewer symptoms when using a product such as micronized progesterone, either from a compounding pharmacy, or from the local pharmacy, where it is sold under the name of Prometrium. Women who are allergic to peanuts should not use this compound, as it contains peanut oil. Some women find they experience fewer symptoms when using a progestogen by the vaginal route, either in suppositories, or in cream form.

One strategy that is useful is to increase the progesterone free interval to 2, 3, or 4 months taking care to monitor for signs of endometrial overstimulation. Some doctors have had good results with the use of a progestin-releasing intrauterine device, which some research indicates is capable providing endometrial protection. However, in some women it is virtually impossible to include a progestogen in their HRT regimen due to the severity of the negative effects. In this extreme situation, it may be necessary to leave the progestogen out of the program entirely. However, users of unopposed estrogen who have a uterus should be monitored carefully, without exception, for the development of abnormal changes of the uterine lining.

I have heard a lot about natural progesterone skin creams, including one that contains Yam progesterone. Is this a good thing for me to use?

I do not believe there is any benefit to using progesterone skin creams, as they do not provide any protection from the long-term negative health consequences of hormone deprivation. Yam and other plant progesterones, cannot be metabolized in the human body, unless they are modified pharmaceutically and any suggestion that they provide benefit, other than skin lubrication, is without basis. Progesterone skin creams that purport to be “natural,” often contain micronized progesterone as the active ingredient. There is one study that suggested that a progesterone skin cream was mildly beneficial in reducing the severity of hot flashes.

There are those that recommend the use of progesterone skin cream as it is “natural” and counteracts any “estrogen dominance.” However, the defining feature of menopause is ovarian failure and its accompanying estrogen deficiency. As such, by definition, all menopausal women are estrogen deficient and the concept that they are suffering from “estrogen dominance,” is not plausible. These products are very effectively marketed and I believe that careful scrutiny will reveal that a significant number of those who advocate their use profit by their sale.

Dr. Jerry Nosanchuk is a practicing physician who has specialized in the care of menopausal women for over 30 years.  His office is located in Bingham Farms, Michigan.  Appointments with Dr. Nosanchuk can be made by calling: (248) 644-7200 and speaking to Caroline Monday through Friday from 10AM to 6PM

IMPORTANT: This website is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to suggest a specific therapy for any individual and must not be construed to establish a physician patient relationship.

Unpleasant Side Effects of HRT

For an in office or virtual visit call (248) 644-7200 and speak to Caroline

Dr. N provides natural hormone regimens that will make your skin more youthful, restore your sex life, resolve your hot flashes, sweats, sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue and depression.

Click the link below to see videos of Dr. N’s patients discussing their therapy

Menopause – Symptoms, Sex and Hormones – YouTube

Side effects … Why they occur and strategies to avoid them.

Most unpleasant side effects of HRT, are related to (1) the oral route of administration, (2) progesterone and progestins and (3) the physiologic action of the hormone on its target tissue.

Side Effects Related To The Oral Route Of Administration:

The most frequent unpleasant hrt side effects associated with the oral route of administration are nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. These hrt symptoms can be due to either a direct effect of the hormone replacement on the lining of the stomach, or secondary to the affect of the rapidly rising hormone levels on the brain. In the latter case this is not unlike “morning sickness.” If the symptoms do not resolve after a few weeks a reduction in dose, or switching to another oral product may be in order. If this does not alleviate the symptoms a change to a non-oral route of administration will be likely be required.

When a hormone is taken orally it is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and transported “en masse,” or as a “bolus” to the liver. This is referred to as the “first-pass” affect. During this passage the absorbed hormone alters the normal production of liver proteins. While most women seem to be unaffected in some women the alteration in the blood levels of these substances have the potential to cause an elevation of blood pressure and/or an increase in the frequency of migraine headaches.

Side Effects Unrelated To The Oral Route Of Administration:

One problem that is not specific to the oral route and can occur with any route of administration is breast tenderness. It can be perfectly normal for a woman who has been hormonally deficient to have breast soreness beginning a few weeks after starting estrogen replacement. Low estrogen levels can result in an involution of breast tissue and when the breast tissue is stimulated by estrogen replacement the breast tissue can be sore and tender for 2-3 months as the breast tissue regenerates. Women who have been estrogen deficient may notice a reduction in breast size and then notice a return to their pre-deficient state after taking replacement estrogen. If a woman does not recognize the reason for the breast soreness, she may suspect the discomfort has a more serious origin, become frightened and stop her HRT. If the tenderness persists for more than 2-3 months, a reduction in dose may be required. Of course it would be prudent for her to discuss this with her physician and have an examination if it persists, or if the physician believes it is warranted.

It is also possible to experience allergic reactions to HRT preparations. Women who are allergic to peanuts need to be aware that some hormone replacement preparations including Prometrium contain peanut oil and are capable of producing serious allergic reactions in those who are susceptible. Many women are allergic to the adhesive in transdermal estradiol patches, or find that they are intolerant to the vehicle in the patch resevoir that contains the medication. In some instances this can be resolved by using another brand of transdermal estrogen patch.

One frequent reason given by women for not starting HRT, or discontinuing its use is the prospect of continued uterine bleeding. A woman who has an intact uterus and is an estrogen user requires the use of a natural, or synthetic progestin to prevent potential overstimulation and the development of abnormal changes of the uterine lining. Women who are on a program of sequential therapy in which the progestin is give for 10-12 days a month will experience an expected withdrawal bleeding. HRT preparations are available that contain a combination of estrogen and a smaller dose of progestin which have been designed to be taken daily and prevent any uterine bleeding. These preparations are widely used and are preferred by many physicians, but others have a concern about the affects of daily use of progestins. Most women tolerate this combination well, but others are intolerant to daily use of even a small dose of progestin and/or find that they continue to experience spotting, bleeding, or cramping while using it. The subject of progestin and progesterone intolerance will be addressed further in the next section.

Many women are concerned that weight gain may occur if they use HRT. The research evidence does not support this and suggests that women who are users of HRT are actually less likely than non-users to put on extra pounds. This is discussed in the section of the web page, Menopause & Weight Gain.

Dr. Jerry Nosanchuk is a practicing physician who has specialized in the care of menopausal women for over 30 years.  His office is located in Bingham Farms, Michigan.  Appointments with Dr. Nosanchuk can be made by calling: (248) 644-7200 and speaking to Caroline Monday through Friday from 10AM to 6PM

IMPORTANT: This website is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to suggest a specific therapy for any individual and must not be construed to establish a physician patient relationship.

Finding An Ideal HRT Regimen

Look younger, avoid wrinkling, prevent hair loss and have a great sex life

Dr. N provides natural hormone regimens for both women and men including hormone pellet implants that keep you looking years younger, restore your sex life, resolve hot flashes, sweats, sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue and depression. To schedule an office or virtual visit call (248) 644-7200

Peppy a 75 year old menopausal woman who had a hysterectomy 30 years ago and attributes her youthful appearance, health and sexuality to her bio-identical pellet implant therapy.

Click the link below see videos of Dr. N’s patients discussing their therapy.

Menopause – Symptoms, Sex and Hormones – YouTube

Information on Bio-Identical and Natural Hormone Therapy, Hormone Pellet Implants, Compounded Hormone Gels, Patches and Creams. A review of the most effective and safest options for you. Dr. N has specialized in care of menopausal women and hormone deficient men for over 30 years. His office is located in Southeastern Michigan. For an appointment or phone consultation call (248) 644-7200 and speak to Caroline.

Dr. N with 2 wonderful patients, mother and daughter

The rationale for women to use HRT following menopause is to sustain quality of life and to be afforded protection from the negative health consequences of hormone deficiency. Accordingly, an ideal HRT regimen would prevent menopausal symptoms, maintain libido, preserve sexual response, maintain the integrity of hormone-dependent tissues and prevent cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and dementia. Finally, it would accomplish these goals without causing unpleasant symptoms.

These goals can almost always be accomplished if, (1) the hormones used are bio-identical to those secreted by the ovary and are (2) delivered into the bloodstream with their chemical structure intact in (3) amounts sufficient to exert their intended affect that (4) remain at relatively stable blood levels.

Menopausal women who have a negative experience with their initial hormone replacement program may become disillusioned and assume that all hormone replacement programs will effect them in the same way. Their physician may not be aware that other treatment options are available capable of relieving the menopausal woman’s symptoms without causing unpleasant side effects. If a patient fails to respond to therapy, a physician may regard them as uncooperative or just being a “problem.”  It is not enough to write a prescription for hormone replacement and schedule a follow-up appointment in 3 months or longer. Every menopausal woman is unique and will have her own unique response to therapy. Ideally a follow up appointment should be scheduled in a timely fashion and the patient should be able to call sooner and to speak to her physician directly if she has problems or questions.

How does a woman find an hormone replacement program that relieves her symptoms and doesn’t cause side effects?

She can accomplish this by learning about hormone replacement options and routes of administration. Thus, she will be able  to recognize a physician who has the skills and share in the decision-making process. Often women are under the impression that all gynecologists and endocrinologists are knowledgeable about menopause and treatment options but unfortunately this is not the case.

Where does she learn this?

She can start by reading the rest of this section and the other sections of the web site, especially those under the HRT & Hormones heading. When she finishes, she may be more knowledgeable about HRT than many physicians.

Information on Bio-Identical and Natural Hormone Therapy, Hormone Pellet Implants, Compounded Hormone Gels, Patches and Creams. A review of the most effective and safest options for you. Dr. N has specialized in care of menopausal women for over 30 years. His office is located in Southeastern Michigan. For appointments and phone consultations with Dr.call (248) 644-7200.

IMPORTANT: This website is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to suggest a specific therapy for any individual and must not be construed to establish a physician patient relationship.