Drug Ratings for PROGESTERONEAverage Rating: 2.3 (382 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR PROGESTERONE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | trouble sleeping low sex hormones | First off, I had to copy and paste a previous reviewers info because my experience has been so similar. Insomnia, uncontrollable shaking, panic attacks, extreme fatigue, adrenaline rushes, feelings of unreality, extreme anxiety, dehydration, hallucinating, can't stop thinking or doing, can't relax at all, feel high as a kite, tripping(doctor said it can make some people trip! wtf?!)feeling faint leading to the emergency room and hundreds of dollars to see an intergrative doctor.I WAS barely hypothyroid and have spent the last 2 years changing my diet, suppluments, iron, cytomel. This seemed to put me over the edge and I wish I could understand what happened? I took Cortef for a year, weaned off about two months ago, started having insomnia but was able to sleep, I started bioidentical compounded progesterone/ estriol/ saw palmetto( for hair receding) about a month later. I NEVER got the famed best nights sleep ever. It seemed to stimulate me. My skin broke out badly which upset me grea | How long does this take to get out of my system? Is there anything I can do to make it get out of mysystem quicker? How did progesterone effect my thyroid? Do I need to reduce or quit my cytomel, Im only taking 12.5 mcg. My $$$ doctor said I coild eventually but Im thinking the progesterone spmade me hyperthyroid? How does progesteone effect adrenals? I WAs able to work out a lot more. I lost 25 lbs in about 2 months and Ive gone down 2 dress sizes. Will I gain the weight back now that Ive stopped it? I pray I can get some sleep on my own soon. I wonder if I shoild go back on Cortef? I tried a stress dose and it made my heart pound terribly. | F | 44 | 5 weeks 40 MG 2X D | 5/3/2013 | 2 | Menopuase symptoms | Heart palpitatons even though my blood pressure and pulse stayed normal, hot flashes and night sweats became even worse, sore breasts, horrible nightmares, felt very jittery in the morning yet didn't want to move. At night I rubbed it on my neck which was supposed to help with insomnia. Instead, I could feel my heart beat in my neck right where I applied the cream- very odd. Couldn't make it past using it for just a few days. | I used a progesterone cream from the health food store (Source Naturals) in hope that it would treat some of the "35 symptoms of menopause" that I've been experiencing. Sadly, it made those symptoms worse. It gave me gave me the same side effects as when I tried prescription Prometrium progesterone and Divigel for menopause. Women seem to either do really well with progesterone or extremly poorly. I remember taking a high progesterone birth control pill (Lo Ovral) when I was younger and it made me feel depressed. I think my body does not like progesterone in any form. | F | 50 | 3 days 1/4 tsp 2X D | 4/11/2013 | 4 | DUB | I'm giving this a 4 as I've only been on it for a month. I felt better immediately after starting treatment. No hair loss, no weight gain as if now.. Do have acne, but I had the same thing with progestin. Overall feel better since being on this medication. Pill form. Very light period, and no cramping. | F | 37 | 10 days 200mg | 4/10/2013 | 1 | Heavy Periods | MAJOR panick attacks, Heart rate went from 80s to 140 Landed in the ER with a positive D dimer test. DIZZY, Felt like I was going crazy, Chest pains, Hair loss, Fear of dying, ANXIETY. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE drug!!! They need to test people before prescribing a drug that can make you go nutts! | KEEO THIS POSION OUT OF YOUR BODY!!!! | F | 34 | 30 days 10 1xpd 1X D | 3/29/2013 | 1 | Post men | Hemorrhoids, depression, anxiety, dizziness, nightmares, | Dr Katia Meier in Centennial, CO did not recognize my symptoms as related to progesterone. She said no side effects happen with bioidentical. She did not recognize my side effects were from elevated levels of hormones due to other medications and supplements I take, some even prescribed by her. Do not take with drugs, supplements, and foods like grapefruit, which inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme that clears the drugs metabolized by this enzyme. You will have nasty side effects, and dangerously high levels of hormones. Look up all teas, supplements and medications for CYP3A4 involvement, P450 cytochrome enzyme involvement for potential interactions. | F | 57 | 3 months 1X D | 3/6/2013 | 2 | Estrogen dominance | Extreme hair loss to the point of balding, anxiety, heart palpitations,and insomnia | I started using this cream to combat estrogen dominance I was experiencing after being on HRT for a year. The cream helped at first but after 3 months the estrogen dominance symptoms got even worse.I upped my dose like suggested by Dr. Lee's to over come the estrogen wake up period and things just got worse. I developed severe insomnia and increased hair loss to the point of noticeable balding. My hair is coming out by the handfuls all day long. When I tried to quit the cream I experienced extreme anxiety and crying spells. I am now slowly weaning myself off it and will never try this again. Still trying to overcome the anxiety and hair loss. I'm happy for those women who have had success using this, I'm just not one of them. | F | 44 | 5 months 1/8tsp 2X D | 2/12/2013 | 5 | total hysterectomy/ Fibrofatigue | Had terrible fibro/fatigue after received a flu shot following a hysterectomy in 1995 My ovaries and uterus were ruined by the use of a copper 7 IUD for over 15 years The bioidenticals got me off antidepressants, anti anxiety, morphine. Praise God!!! | F | 57 | 8 months 20 | 2/2/2013 | 1 | Perimenopause | SEVERE heartburn, panic attacks/general anxiety and uneasy, worrisome feelings, feeling faint, headache, knots on my chin after my period, weak and tired all the time, dizziness, oily skin | I would NOT recommend ANYBODY use this. I went into this very optimistic and thinking it was really going to help me and I felt great about the 1st 2 weeks I was taking it and after that, I started to gradually feel like CRAP. It helped alot with my moodiness and crankiness during pms, but the other side effects are NOT worth my continuing this medication. I take it in a cream form at night with estrogen cream, that I rub on my forearems. I have had MASSIVE bouts of heartburn, to the point that I feel like im having a heart attack. I have always been bothered with heartburn, but could always control it with prilosec and a restricted diet ( I use NO caffiene, very little chocolate, no carbonated beverages, no booze, dont eat after 7 at night and have done everything that my dr has told me to do to control it), but I have not been able to come close to controling it while on progesterone cream. I also have started to have panic attacks and at times I feel like im going to faint. I also have felt like my airway is being restricted and I cant get a good breath. I got FOUR of the hard knots on my chin that you get before your period, but AFTER my period this time. I bled for 1 1/2 days than stopped for 2 days then bled for 2 more days!!! Talk about aggravated!!! I feel like ive taken a sleeping pill about 30 minutes after I use the cream and I have had really odd/vivid dreams when I take it. Sometimes I wake up and for a few hours I feel almost like a hangover effect...dizzy, weak | F | 38 | 3.5 months 50 1X D | 1/5/2013 | 4 | Perimenopause symptoms | Weight gain in the mid-section but nothing else really. | The night sweats, fatique, mood swings and cystic acne were almost disabling. My doctor told me it was just normal but I couldn't accept that. Went to an MD who uses holistic approach to treatment. Ran a lot of tests and found the problem was estrogen dominance. Placed on oral progesterone and the results were felt within 2 weeks. I sleep now and don't wake up dripping wet all night! Mood swings are gone, skin cleared up, I have more energy and I actually feel human again. The only bad thing is the weight gain in the belly. I'm athletic and eat right so I'm struggling with that but just being able to sleep again, it's worth it. | F | 50 | 30 days 100 MG 1X D | 12/19/2012 | 1 | Low to nonexistent hormones yes all | Extreme sleepiness, groggy into the afternoon. Sometimes slept 10 to 12 hours. Started with 100 mg and very vivid, unusual, and hard-to-wake from dreams. Had several very disturbing nightmares. with low dose vivelle dot added, dose of progesterone was upped to 200mg. THE WORST NIGHTMARES AND SEDATION. I MEAN HORRIFIC NIGHTMARES AND SLEEPIN THROUGH 10 or more hours of them. Cannot stop crying and suicidal. This crap is pure poison and I just wish I was dead! | I got this in gel cap form from a holistic MD. It's supposed to be bioidentical and cause no side effects. Bull. My MD's practitioner told me only one other person she prescribed to to in "all her many years in practice" has had nightmares. Bull. Practioner took blood to test hormone levels and ave me a Gama drink powder. I just wish I could kill myself right now. I hope I can. | F | 57 | 3 months 100 to 200 1X D | 12/17/2012 | 5 | leg and arm tingling and pain | I started using OTC progesterone cream at the label dose of 20 mg twice a day. I felt good, but incomplete, relief from my muscle pain. I found that rubbing the cream onto the painful areas really helped a lot! Unfortunately, it seemed like this small dose caused water retention and made me feel really fat. | I found a website that talks all about using progesterone cream. They explained that using too little is what causes the water retention and other estrogen dominance symptoms. They recommended using at least 100 mg per day. Since my doc had prescribed 150 mg of oral progesterone (that I had not yet started taking), I figured that dose should be OK. I tried it and my muscles feel NORMAL for the first time in years! When the pain starts to come back, I just put a little more cream on the painful area. I have not gained any more weight with this higher dose and I feel so much better overall. | F | 44 | 14 days 100-200 2X D | 12/8/2012 | 5 | menopausal | I was perimenopausal at 38. Also, my hormones were never right after the birth of each child . Symptoms were terrible; doubling-over ovarian pain during ovulation and beyond, hot flashes every 15 mins, no libido and eczema all over my arms & legs. First tried the creams which just didn't work for me. Too up and down with symptoms. Also, it was difficult to keep to a regular schedule with the applications. Finally I came across a place that did bio-identical hormones that are inserted into you every 4-6 months. It is essential to have a blood test before insertion to check your female hormone panel: Estradiol, Testosterone and FSH. Doesn't help too much to check your progesterone through blood testing as it varies so much during the month. Found out my levels were alarmingly low. The estrodial & testosterone are the pellets that are inserted in your backside, with a local first (no kidding!) and the progesterone is taken orally. They don't have a pellet for that, yet. | The beauty of the pellets is that they dissolve over 4-6 months and if you are more active a certain time of day (greater blood flow), more of the pellets dissolve into your system. I am very athletic with a high metabolism, hence I have to get the pellets every 5 months. The first few years, it was every 4 months. My life has totally changed for the better. If you do this, make sure to keep copies of your blood test and chart your progress. Take charge of your health and help let the Dr. know what you need. As for periods, you don't have any if you take the progesterone continuously. Btw, I was doing that long before it became popular in Western medicine. I only stop the progesterone if I find my uterine lining starts to build up. Probably about every 6 months. Then restart when my period is completely done. | F | 50 | 6 years 200mg 1X D | 11/7/2012 | 2 | PMS, mood swings, migraines | depression, lethargy, heavy bleeding in combination with testosterone | I used a blend of bioidentical progesterone and testosterone for two months. At first I felt great on these hormones...energy improved, helped relieve depression and migraines, and I felt I had my life back! The problems began when my second period started while on the hormones. My period was normal but I had unusual depression starting on day 2-3 of my cycle. I felt weird all over! The depression finally eased somewhat and my period ended normally...however, started a second period the day after the first one ended...VERY heavy and I don't ever have heavy periods. At this point in perimenopause I have not had any bleeding like this. I continued to bleed heavy for 3 days as I got off the hormone blend (I felt it was causing the heavy bleeding so decided to discontinue). The whole episode was very terrifying! I was weak and had flu like symtoms. I decided to continue with just progesterone by itself to counteract any estrogen dominance. Experiencing unusual depression, lethargy, dizziness, and sleepiness. I will lower the dose to see what happens. If it continues will discontinue altogether. I would caution those wanting to use bioidentical hormones to proceed carefully. I used them as a last resort and although it was good at first it came back to bite me. Progesterone in excess can cause depression/lethargy because it down regulates available serotonin in the brain. If you use hormone therapy be prepared to constantly tweak the dose and keep a journal! | F | 42 | 2 months 1X D | 11/4/2012 | 1 | tested low | DON"T TAKE THIS! YOU WILL BE SORRY! | IF AFTER STOPPING THIS MONSTER OF A DRUG, YOU EXPERIENCE SIDE EFFECTS FOR LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS, TRY EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE. LOOK IT UP ONLINE. IT SAVED ME. | F | 43 | 10 weeks 75 1X D | 11/2/2012 | 1 | tranfered from other | boyfriend had higher sex drive at first, then became uninterested in sex due to emotional distress, I have many dizziness, and loss, of apatite and increased blood presser | being the fact that myself and my boyfriend had so many negative affects from transfer from a user of this cream ( while have sex repeatedly) leads me to think that is some thing all health men and women who do not need it should avoid contact with. So we are asking our girlfriend to stop using it. | F | 30 | 5 days ? 1X D | 10/17/2012 | 2 | Post Menopausal Osteoporosis | I was experiencing bad back pain from osteoporosis, and trouble sleeping. My doctor put me on bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone creams. Within a week, I began experiencing major bloating, fat deposits began, and have not stopped. Despite a clean diet, exercise, etc. I have gained 25 pounds since starting the creams. I have severe estrogen dominance, despite using products that certify no xeno-estrogens. I have been taking DIM for over a year, but still have the symptoms of estrogen dominance. I would love to get off of this cream, if I could find a solution for my bones. So far, nothing has helped, as my bone density is not getting much better from these creams. | F | 64 | 1 years 1/4 tsp 1x | 10/6/2012 | 1 | Peri-menopause/Fibroids | EXTREME DIZZINESS, DEPRESSION, INSOMNIA, ANGER, MOODINESS!! | I AM POSTING TODAY IN HOPES THAT I CAN HELP SOMEONE WHO IS SUFFERING FROM DIZZINESS DUE TO PROGESTERONE CREAM!!!!!!!!!! I WAS TOLD THAT PROGESTERONE CREAM COULDN'T MAKE ME DIZZY, BUT THEY ARE WRONG AND HERES WHY.... AFTER STOPPING THE CREAM MY DIZZINESS WENT ON FOR 9 WEEKS... FOUND OUT THAT ITS BECAUSE THE CREAM THAT I USED WAS CHEAPLY MADE WITH AN OIL COSMETIC BASE,, RATHER THAN THE MORE EXPENSIVE LIPOSOMAL COMPOUNDS!!! SO BECAUSE OF THIS THE CREAM GOT STUCK IN MY FAT TISSUE CAUSING FLUID RETENTION IN THE BODY, AS WELL AS FLUID RETENTION IN THE INNER EAR, CAUSING VERTIGO AND DIZZINESS...EVEN AFTER THE CREAM WAS STOPPED IT WAS STILL BEING RELEASED INTO THE BLOOD STREAM.. SO HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO DO; YOU NEED TO FLUSH YOUR SYSTEM WITH LOTS OF WATER, ABOUT 2 LITERS A DAY AS WELL AS NOT USING ANY BODY LOTION OR BODY OIL BECAUSE ANY PRODUCTS WILL FURTHER TRAP IN THE PROGESTERONE CREAM. ALSO YOU NEED TO TAKE HOT SHOWERS, SO THAT YOU CAN SWEAT AND DRAW OUT THE CREAM WITH THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY..., THEN VIGOROUSLY MASSAGE YOUR SKIN TO WAKE UP TOXINS WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO BE EXCRETED!! THIS WILL MAKE YOU DIZZIER AT FIRST BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. ITS YOUR ONLY HOPE OF GETTING THE STUFF OUT! ALSO TAKE A GOOD MULTI VITAMIN AND LOTS OF C. OH OH AND YOU MUST HAVE A VERY LOW SALT DIET WHILE THIS IS GOING ON TO AVOID ANYMORE FLIUD RETENTION ISSUES IN THE HEAD AND BODY!! GOOD LUCK AND PLEASE DO NOT BE SCARED ANYMORE, THERE IS A SOLUTION!!! I AM DOING IT WITH SUCCESS AS WE SPEAK!!! | F | 42 | 10 days 200-400mg 3X D | 10/6/2012 | 1 | TOOK PRO-GEST AS PERI-MEOPAUSAL | SEVERE VOMITING, CHEST PAINS, LEG CRAMPS AND LEG PAINS, SEVERE STOUMACH PAINS, NUMBNESS DOWN RIGHT ARM | I rubbed a small pea sized amount twice into me over a two day period and suffered severe vomiting, shaking, chest pains, numbness in my hands and arm, leg cramps and leg aches, it took over two days to get over such a small amount that I rubbed in, I was taking this Pro-gest as I have peri-menopausal and was willing to try anything, I advise not to take this as I nearly ended up in hospital | F | 44 | 2 days 1 1X D | 9/26/2012 | 5 | Menstrual migraines | If i take more than one, i get sleepy. A small price to pay. This medicine has literally given me my life back after over 30 years of debilitating migraines thay made me close to considering suicide. Do be sure that you get the compounded kind from a wellness pharmacy, NOT the Prometrium or generic equivalant as they are not the same. I take 100 mg morning and evening every day, except for when i feel a migraine coming on, then i take one every two hours or so till the headache is gone. I cannot comment on how it works for other sysmptoms, but for mine i can honestly say it changed my life! | F | 50 | 6 years 100mg | 9/5/2012 | 1 | to balance estrogen | Insomnia, uncontrollable shaking, panic attacks, extreme fatigue, adrenaline rushes, feelings of unreality, nausea, dehydration, walking sideways, feeling faint leading to the emergency room and hundreds of dollars worth of tests and still doctors told me to switch to sublingual tablets which made me think I was dieing! .Why is anyone allowed to manufacture a product that doctors clearly don't understand the extreme danger of this drug. The doctors don't have a clue about how long this poison can stay in your system and disrupt all of your adrenals. I don't think I will or ever want to use any progesterone again. I have never experience anything like this. Don't put this on your skin because nobody knows how long it will be in your system! | F | 58 | 1 years 50 - 80 1X D | 8/24/2012 | 1 | total hysterectomy hormone balance | Severe depression/anxiety, constant crying, diarrhea, worse acne with extremely oily skin and hair, dizziness, loss of balance, severe fluid retention ankles/hands, severe lower backache and abdominal bloating with reflux. At first very drowsy, then very anxious with suicidal thoughts and inability to think clearly. | I only went on the natural progesterone gel because though I'd had a total hyst, I thought I shouldn't be on unopposed estradiol, even though I'm only on a 0.0125mg/day patch (a VERY low dose), but I have a history of MDD/anxiety disorder and I was unaware of that being a contraindication to using progsterone. | F | 57 | 2 weeks 5mg 1X D | 8/20/2012 | 1 | Estrogen dominance/Facial hair | Severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, tremors,shaking, muscle twitching, lost 20 pounds in six weeks, mental confusion, paranoia,joint pain , insomnia. Bio-identical progesterone. After first application on progesterone cream i should have stopped.My muscles started to ache the next day i even had to wear a brace on one ankle to be able to work all day it was that bad. I broke out with acne, had bloated stomach and i was feeling drunk during the last few days of application. I had severe anxiety, cried all the time, i seriously though i was going to go into a mental institution i felt like i was going crazy. I almost lost my job, my boyfriend and all my friends believed i was making it all up. | I found a great dr who listens to me and looked at me like why in the world would you ever take that. I had gone to a hormone dr who prescribed me progesterone cream, thyroid pill, adrenal rebuilder, b-12 shots its all BS! do not take this i regret ever putting this into my body. I am so thankful for this website i had to read it every morning to help myself not go crazy. My dr prescribed me xanex to help the anxiety i take melitonin at night to sleep. please god let the symptoms end soon. do not poison yourself. | F | 24 | 3 months 10mg 1X D | 8/14/2012 | 1 | Estrogen Dominance | Irritable, depressed, confused, very tired, sleeping 14 hours straight, hunger out of control, fatigued, flare up of fibromyalgia, angry, impatient, bad cramps and ovary sensitivity, pelvic and back pain constant, muscle fatigue | I was given Progesterone through a woman doctor from BodyLogics. Wow, I really feel stupid as Biologics is an idea of physicians angry at insurance companies and wanting to make a lot of money without earning it! I have to date spent $600 on supplements and bioidentical hormones. I spent $575 on a consult that was to be an hour long and was 40 minutes. Never did I speak or discuss my symptoms or concerns during my "consult." The whole focus was selling me prescriptions and supplements. One prescription was an weekly injection of B12. She only asked if I had an issue with needles. I said no. When I pick up the prescription and try to take it, I had to use YouTube to figure out how to inject myself. I eventually had to call the pharmacist twice because the B12 was not coming out of the vile. The woman looked at my lab results, started throwing one supplement bottle after another at me, gave me prescription hormones (testosterone daily, progesterone daily, estriol daily, DHEA, and thyroid) and then took out her calculator to give me prices on everything she was selling me from her office and the consult. This was $1110.57 just to get out of my first appointment. Her office is located in a financial building in which no one knew of her in the building and no directory was in the building to guide me. I spent 45 minutes in the building running around looking for her. By the time I found her office, I was exhausted and just wanted to give up. I waited in t | F | 51 | 14 days 100 mg 1X D | 8/2/2012 | 2 | Peri-Menopause/Low estrogen | Doctor prescribed Vivelle estrogen patch (.5 mg) with compounded progesterone to offset. Started estrogen first for a few days. Hot flashes stopped, clarity of thoughts returned, felt depression subside. After starting progesterone, I started getting severely depressed, I'm so sleepy and fatigued I can't function. My thoughts are very foggy - I feel like a zombie. | My progesterone is a cream which is compounded, as I can't take prometrium or the compounded progesterone pills - they cause digestive issues and confusion. This cream is a little easier as I've decided to adjust the amount of cream I'm using for a few days. I was using it full strength, but I felt so bad that I can't do much. I used half strength last night. I feel only slightly better - still feeling very foggy headed and fatigued. I'm going to talk to my doctor about cycling this so that I don't have to feel this bad all the time. | F | 47 | 10 days 75 mg 1X D | 7/7/2012 | 1 | Estrogen Dominence/PMDD | ANGER, Irritability, depression, sore breasts, acne, spotting. | I can't believe it took me 3 months to figure out that the progesterone cream was ruining my life. I kept reading forums saying that all of those side effects were because my hormones were finally evening out. EFF THAT! I waited, like a dummy, for 3 months and everything got wayyyy worse. The only thing that made it better was getting off of it!! And it's been a few months and my body is still working on getting back to normal. After that experience, I'll take PMS or PMDD over severe depression, anger etc., any day!! | M | 26 | 3 months 30 MG 1X D | 7/5/2012 | 3 | balance out estrogen therapy | Severe bloating, stomach pain, gas | Two weeks ago started with the pill form then switched to cream due to severe bloating and stomach pain. Cream still causes the side effects just not as severe. Waiting to see if side effects will disappear after time. | F | 54 | 2 weeks 80Mg crea 1X D | 6/16/2012 | 1 | estrogen dominance | Instant weight gain and bloating. My stomach began to swell and bloat I could not button my pants. It was supposed to ease my estrogen dominance but seemed to do the opposite. I has prescribed the cream by my doctor which I had filled at a compounding pharmacy. | F | 43 | 4 days | 6/14/2012 | 1 | menopausal symptoms | Rapid weight gain in mid section and thighs. Loss of memory. Dizziness. Total anhedonia: lack of feeling for anything. Bloating. Fear and dread all the time. Fatigue that made it difficult for me to function. Sore and aching feet. The naturopath said it was good for me and i was desperate because of the severe hot flashes. I was skeptical but went on the cream anyway. This was not a good choice for me. I feel fortunate that after 5 weeks i noticed these symptoms as being related to the use of the creme and nothing else. I stopped taking it and i feel inuitively, that the creme was bad for me. I can not recommend it and hope to find relief through diet and exercise. Spread the word to other women so that they might be spared this violation and poisening of their bodies! | F | 50 | 6 weeks 20 | 6/13/2012 | 1 | Perimenopause | Weight gain in midsection; Cystic acne on chin; Breast Enlargement | I think women really need to do the research before taking this...best to be your own advocate! I was placed on bioidentical progesterone cream for two weeks out of the month. All of a sudden, started to get cystic acne breakouts on chin..painful to say the least! Once I backed off the cream, the acne subsided. Weight went up in my midsection, despite strict diet and exercise. Breast cup size increased. In fact, I have read that too much progesterone can cause these things to happen...especially if there is too much of it in relation to estrogen. I think it is so easy to throw around terms like "estrogen dominance" these days and then think that progesterone cream is the answer for weight loss. After my personal experience with it, progesterone turned out to equal weight gain for me. | F | 43 | 2 months 50mg 1X D | 6/7/2012 | 4 | estrogen dominance (EDom) | EDOM - Clean out xenoestrogen first (research DIMpro, MACA, etc for the liver, then get it off your skin/out of your home/food, have your water tested - your liver can't clean toxins that come in thru the skin/transdermally)- adding Prog to an estrogen saturated body will only exasperate EDOM symptoms, as prog creates good estrogen (and testosterone) (EDOM + MORE estrogen=horrible side effects). Prog is fantastic when xenoestrogens are eliminated (to the best of our ability). Prog is fantastic if you mimic nature. Too much of anything will produce side effects, right? VIT D is crucial as well (have your personal levels tested - you can OD on VIT D, but suffer without optimal levels = tricky) | F | 43 | cyclical 1X D | 5/2/2012 History | 5 | Estrogen dominance, irregular periods | No bad "side-effects" - this stuff is wonderful! BEFORE taking bio-identical progesterone, I had bad PMS, irregular periods, facial hair, hair-loss, and weight gain, and adult acne. AFTER taking progesterone, I sleep easily, skin clearing up already, losing bloat, and energy levels are amazing. I will definitely keep taking this cream! | F | 39 | 7 days 30mg/day | 5/1/2012 | 1 | yes | Pain in the head in different areas; dizziness and confused; unable to focus thoughts. | I will never let a Dr. give me this again! Never | F | 53 | 5 days 200 1X D | 4/30/2012 | 1 | Perimenopause, irregular periods | EXTREME anxiety and nervousness to the point of shaking. Heart racing, sweating, bad, vivid dreams and extreme insomnia. Hot flashes and feet sweating. | I started "natural" progesterone cream after complaining to my gyno about longer periods that were getting closer together, along with fatigue, breast tenderness, facial hair, weight gain, etc. I started this cream at about 10-20 mg twice per day and then lowered it to a small pea size amount twice per day, because it was making me feel so bad. I want to note that, for some odd reason, I did have a few hours here and there where I felt extremely calm, but that never lasted on this med. Instead of the lower dose making the symptoms back off, they continued to get worse, almost like every dose was just adding to the last one. I felt like I overdosed on poison. I stopped the medication the following Wednesday after a night of no sleep and waking up in a TOTAL PANIC STATE. That was yesterday morning and today I feel about 50%-75% better, although still a little shaky and nervous. Going to start acupuncture for perimenopause, which is what I should have done from the start. Total crap this stuff. Please spare yourself the horrible experience and find another way to treat your symptoms. Sorry to the other women reading this who are experiencing this as well :( You will get better, I already did just by stopping it. As much as I thought this was going to be an easy miracle cure, my body did not like it at all and sure told me so! | F | 42 | 6 days 10-20mg 2X D | 4/27/2012 | 1 | PeriMenopause/PMS/PMDD | No side effects at first, worked well. Over time, I believe I have gained weight(25#) that I now cannot seem to lose. My uterus is enlarged too. I feel about 3-4 months pregnant. Don't know if it's from the progesterone cream, I'm starting to suspect it is. | I had terrible estrogen dominance issues. I had blood sugar problems, horrible anxiety, breast tingling (felt like milk letdown) constantly. I truly feel that this stuff helped at first. I think something changed along the way. I began to gain weight - seems like anywhere I put the cream (arms, inner thighs and mostly around my abdomen. I always used the smallest amounts. I judged by the size of the dot on my hand. I'm bummed because I want to keep using it but can't stand how fat I'm getting from it. I use compounded bio identical progesterone. My doctor prescribed an amount that was way too high so I found the amount that worked for me. I have read that using the Crinone gel vaginally avoids your skin becoming saturated and unable to absorb the progesterone. I'm trying to find out more information about that as an alternative. I thought about using the cream I have vaginally, but I'm nervous to try that. If any of this sounds familiar to anybody and you have come up with a good alternative, please email me. I'm afraid all my old symptoms are knocking on my door. | F | 43 | 3 years varied 1X D | 3/19/2012 | 1 | hormonal imbalance/menopause | Headache, hot flashes day and night, insomnia, lack of focus, anger | Was on Prometrium a few days with horrible side effects. Tried cream for close to 5 years under holistic MD. Saliva progesteron to 12,000; should be 200. Everything worse. Nearly crazy with Hot flashes. Dr can't figure it out. Never AGAIN.Beware! I too wonder how long to get these out of system. | F | 62 | 20 1X D | 3/19/2012 | 1 | For PMS Symptom Relief | Depression, crying, insomnia, anxiety. | I started taking progesterone cream to help moderate PMS symptoms (irritability/depression). Three days ago I started using Source Naturals Progesterone Cream, 500 mg per ounce. I only used 1/4 teaspoon once per day, which is about 20 mg. I used it in the morning only. By the afternoon of the first day I was feeling horrible, depressed, completely off. I thought I was just having a "bad day". I slept badly that night. I used it again the next day, and I felt very tired and depressed all day. I could barely sleep last night, which I don't normally have a problem with, and woke up with anxiety this morning. I don't have anxiety problems. I'm stopping this today. I didn't realize that there were so many possible side effects until I found this and other web pages detailing the possible side effects. | F | 37 | 2 days 20 1X D | 2/29/2012 | 5 | Estrogen Dominance/PMS/Migraine | Premenstrual breast pain disappeared during month one and has been gone for the last two months. PMS swelling is reduced. Skin where the cream is applied has experienced a very noticeable reduction in lines. The only negative side effect has been a slight increase in heart rate that feels similiar to too much caffeine on the two or three days leading into my period. My premenstural migraine was shorter and less severe last month. | I feel much better already. I have noticed a very positive improvement in a short time. | F | 43 | 2 months 20mg 2X D | 2/22/2012 | 1 | hives, cysts, IBS | I took Dr. Lees bioidentical progesterone cream. I felt great the first 2 days then on the 3rd day my breasts were swollen, i felt anxious and got weird thoughts, my hives broke out worse than ever. Its been 3 days since I have taken this medication and I still have nervosness, my hives are horrible and I itch severely at night and feel tightness in my shoulder blades. This is horrible. I would not recommend taking this without a doctors guidance. | F | 45 | 3 days 30mg 1X D | 2/22/2012 | 1 | pre menopause symtoms | weight gain, depression, mood swings, night sweats, anxiety | I stopped about five days ago and am already feeling better. I work out daily 1.5 hours minimum cardio and weights, pilates. I believe this is helping to get the toxins out more quickly as others have said it takes a longer time. was also taking a mix of black kolash and wild yam. I will never self medicate on herbal remedies again! very glad I found this blog... | F | 55 | 1 days 2X D | 2/10/2012 | 1 | Balance Progesterone/Estrogen | Irritable, gained weight mainly around midsection, no matter how good I ate and how much exercise I got the weight would not budge, water retention and puffiness, and always seemed to be ravenously hungry. I quit taking the meds and my mid-section lost 2 inches within 2 days. After stopping the drugs I started becoming regular. Hunger disappeared after stopping the medication. How long before I am back to my premeds status? | I am a non-menopausal woman that was prescribed the bio-identical drug. My friends wondered what had happened to me. It wasn't until recently I changed smart phones and started looking at pictures as I moved them from one phone to the new one. I noticed shortly after I started taking the hormone I started seeing changes. Due to restrictions from the insurance company payment criteria The doctor could not follow up with a blood test to determine if levels were accurate without charging me full price for the tests. | F | 46 | 1.5 years 225 1X D | 2/9/2012 | 5 | hormonal migraines & pms symptoms | I've had no side effects. I am taking bioidentical hormones (cream). 1-14 days 1 click, 14-28 days 2 clicks. PROG/DHEA/TEST 60/5/3mg/0.5ml cream. Seeing doctor in a couple days to see if it needs to be increased as I feel I am having breakthrough PMS. If thats even possible to have. | Not having migraines for the past 2 years has been a God send. I had been getting the graines every month and sometimes in between since I was in my early 30's. Before taking the hormones I was perimenopausal. I've not had my period since the 2nd month of starting these hormones. Did that mean I am in menopause? | F | 49 | 1.7 years 60mg 1X D | 1/30/2012 | 4 | Pregnancy | Lightheaded, sad, heaviness in chest, sleepy within hour of injection but later suffer from insomnia, mild leg & calf pain, increased appetite, tenderness at injection site, mood swings | F | 33 | 2 weeks | 1/26/2012 | 1 | Even out hormone levels | Can't sleep gained weight terrible anger no patience just hated myself and spent 40 dollars a month on the crap! | F | 52 | 1 years 150mg | 1/25/2012 | 1 | hrt | Heart racing,insomnia,tremors,extreme anxiety,depression,suicidal,night sweats,vivid dreams,extreme nervousness,frequent urination | I have used progesterone cream a few years ago but this time has been a nightmare. I am so thankful I found this site. I felt I was going crazy.It has been two weeks since I stopped and I am still having anxiety and heart racing plus some shakiness in arms and legs. I totally agree with everyone who said they feel like they were poisoned.I hope it clears my system soon! | F | 58 | 7 days 20 mg 1X D | 1/4/2012 | 5 | Severe PMS and menopausal anxiety | none thus far, possibly increased hot flashes during PMS | The cream I put on at night seems to have completely removed a state of anxiousness during the 2 weeks after period and greatly reduced anxiousness during PMS. I am sleeping better - not using prescription sleeping pills anymore. | F | 49 | 1.5 months .5 to 1 gm 1X D | 11/19/2011 | 1 | Irregular periods | at first I did not notice any side effects but when I got my period I got hot flashes at night, anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations. I thoughti was going crazy, but did not attribute it to the cream. I used it for anther 14 days after ovulation and the following month the hot flashes got worse, I had SEVERE anxiety, depression, I was crying for no reason I developed GERD symptoms, I could not concentrate. I though i entered menopause. It was awful!!!!! It has been 2 months I am off, and symptoms of hot flashes are slowly decreasing and I have still residuals of anxiety and heart palpitations. Please be VERY CAREFUL when using this product, it is extremely dangerous! | F | 28 | 28 days 1X D | 10/30/2011 | 1 | Irregular Cycles | I took the Natural Progesterone recommended by Dr. Lee. I started at the lowest recommended dose. After the first application, I was very drowsy and sedated. I couldn't focus and found myself zoning out. Within 3 days I had developed extreme anger bordering on rage (I am usually very calm). I also developed a severe depression, which I have never had in my life. I would cry for 30-40 minutes at a time and started to feel like it wasn't worth going on. I've always had a perfect memory and I was forgetting a lot of things. My skin also broke out. My husband was very concerned about my personality shift and asked me to stop the cream. About 36 hours after stopping my mood returned to normal. It took another 2-3 days for the drowsiness to lift. I understand this can be beneficial to some people, but what happened to me was incredibly scary! PLEASE use this hormone with caution and if you note yourself becoming depressed/angry, please stop taking it. | F | 28 | 6 days 2X D | 10/10/2011 | 2 | Low Progesterone/Estrogen Dominance | Weight Gain, Swollen and Enlarged Breasts, Acne Breakouts, Bloating | Had symptoms of estrogen dominance. Started taking bioidentical progesterone for two weeks out of every month and slept much better/had regular periods; however, breasts got larger/swollen and gained weight around the middle. Acne flared up. Recent labwork showed levels were high. I have stopped taking it. In my personal opinion, the side effects for me outweighed any benefits. | F | 40 | 6 months 100mg 1X O | 9/27/2011 | 1 | Progesterone Low | For years I saw a herbalist who gave me Wild Yam and other herbs because since I was 16 years old I had had a hard time having a period. I believe that these made me very fertile and kept me regular for 12 YEARS. I NEVER had any of the side effects that I suffer now on PROGESTERONE & TESTOSTERONE CREAMS! Unfortunately my herbalist passed away and I went to an MD who, I thought, believed in natural remedies. I was afraid I could not be regular without herbs and she had my hormones tested and my progesterone & testosterone were low. Therefore, she prescribed me the creams made especially for me by my pharmacist (at a cost of $100 to me!). (My dosage for Testosterone cream: 1 mg/1xday). After 5 weeks of applying them I feel MOODY, ANXIOUS, EASILY ANGERED, and suffer a NERVOUS STOMACH or feeling like I have KNOTS IN MY STOMACH ALL DAY LONG. | The doctor directed me to stop applying the creams. Now, I have endured 10 days of the anxiety, knots in my stomach, and nausea. I live on gingerale. Ladies, I know there are herbs which have naturally occurring hormones and I should have asked for them. I am so upset with myself. Don't use these creams! By the way, my period seems normal and on time, but I have only a small increase in libido. | F | 44 | 5 weeks 50 mg 2X D | 9/20/2011 | 1 | High Estradiol vs Progesterone | Severe depression, hopelessness, panic attacks, lethargy, thoughts of suicide, confusion, inability to mentally focus, tearful, sleepy all the time, acne, excess perspiration | I am a RN who is also treated for hypothyroid. I remain on Celexa for depression since my breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, though I was not depressed on 20 mg before starting the oral progesterone lozenge at bedtime 30 days ago. I am now back on 40 mg of Clexa a day and still so depressed I just want to sleep all the time. No appetite, tearful. I am an emotional mess. I had saliva testing done a month or so ago that showed estrogen dominance. So, I at first tried the Progesterone capsules 100 mg a day at bedtime. This did not help with my insomnia, so we changed it to a compounded progesterone/melatonin lozenge. I was fine for the first 2 weeks and slept like I hadn't slept in years. I was also found to have almost NO AM cortisol, so when I wasn't better in a couple of weeks, I was started on cortef. I saw my doctor this afternoon. She knew immediately what was wrong. She told me that no amount of Celexa or cortef could over ride the affect of progesterone overdose. I am stopping all of the adrenal support supplements and progesterone effective today. I will remain on the cortef, celexa and westhroid (for thyroid). We are hoping that since I was taking this orally, that it will get out of my system quickly. I may or may not go back on progesterone. IF I do go back on it, it will be a much smaller dose. Be careful with this one. It is a VERY POWERFUL medication and should not be taken lightly. This is NOT a drug that should be available without an RX. The | F | 58 | 30 days 150-300 mg 1X D | 9/13/2011 | 1 | Low progesterone test results | ALL 'BIO IDENTICAL' PROGESTERONE IS POISON. When someone tells you, "...it is natural because it is made from a yam!" Don't listen. Heroin and cocaine are also natural. If a chemist must chemically change the yam to create progesterone that is NOT NATURAL. Taking progesterone (as opposed to what your body makes- THAT is natural) is a lethal course of action. IF YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED by this scam, CALL THE FDA and report what has happened to you. I assure you; just because you got this from a "well-meaning naturpath" do NOT think the naturpathic community is not littered with egotistical quacks just like conventional medicine. | So NOW WHAT DO YOU DO??? 1. You must allow time to take its course and allow this poison to get out of your body. It may take up to 2 years. 2. Do NOT take other pharmaceuticals to rid yourself of the symptoms-- YOU WILL EVENTUALLY GET WORSE. Prozac and Xanax are your ENEMIES. 3. Your symptoms are most likely from systemic candida as a result of having been poisoned from the progesterone; eat meat, veggies, and low glygemic fruits. Avoid foods high in oxalic acid. 4. You WILL HEAL. It takes TIME. 5. The reason you needed to take the progesterone in the first place was NOT due to menopause; you have done something in your diet or lifestyle to drain your adrenals. Fix THIS. Don't handle the problem by treating the symptoms. 6. Learn your lesson, and don't repeat the mistake. | F | 42 | 10 weeks 75mg 1X D | 9/9/2011 | 4 | Estrogen Dominance | Using over the counter natural progesterone. So far I have noticed that I am more IRRITABLE and tense. On the bright side, my joint pain has subsided, migraines have disappeared, I'm less fatigued and foggy, and I'm getting better sleep. | I have read that during the first initial phase your body responds to the cream by increasing oestrogen levels. It takes time for your body to adjust. (For severe side efects, some doctors suggest either lowering the dose OR increasing it to an even higher amount to see if it helps). So in other words, "sometimes it gets worse before it gets better". Considering it seems to be helping in all my other areas of concern, I am definitely not going to quit now. I intend on persevering for at least another few months to see if the crankiness improves. | F | 38 | 14 days 20mg 2X D | 8/22/2011 | 4 | When I hit mid 40s PMS got very bad | First few days a headache, but that went away. Much calmer, more even moods. Breast tenderness slightly lessened. More clear-headed and focused. Does cause irregular cycle with screwy periods and much spotting in between. But I'll deal with it, the trade-off is worth it. | I went off b/c pills 5 yrs ago due to severe breast tenderness from cysts (caused by taking hormones for 20+ yrs). But then I developed very debilitating periods, literally crawling on ground in pain, and missing work days. I've been using Dr. Lee's Progesterall for 2 months- only a tiny dab at bedtime. I recommend it if you are estrogen-dominant and want to feel more like yourself again. Note - once by mistake I rubbed the Progesterall cream all over me after a bath, mistaking it for moisturizing lotion in the dim light - I immediately felt hot all over and jumped back in the tub to rinse it off! Felt fine after that. The important thing here is - you must use only a TINY drop. I also started Lysteda last month and it helps reduce the painful periods. | F | 48 | 2 months smidge 1X D | 8/19/2011 | 1 | prevent miscarriage | severe anxiety, chest heaviness, heart thumping (palpitations), short of breath, panicky, dizzy | I would NEVER take these suppositories again. | F | 33 | 8 days 400 mg 1X D | 8/14/2011 | 1 | for unbalanced hormone level | Two days following just a dab of Natural Progesterone creme each day( which I had made up for me at a compounding chemist that is very highy regarded by my Natural Medicine Doctor) on the inside of my arm, I had the most awful cramp/period like pain which developed into full blown natural birth labor pains, including the need to bare down. I am 67 and have not had periods for over 30 years. I sat on the loo for over an hour thinking OMG I am about to give birth or miscarry at 67 and sexually asleep for 15 years. I couldn't stop bearing down thinking I was going to pass something via my virgina. Then I bleed like the first day of a heavy period and the pain went, just like that, I called my doctor who perscribed the Progesterone next day and he was surprised that I had such a reaction to it, and using such a small dose too. I have since have had a D&C or scrape and they found a fibroid on the back wall of my womb which the Progesterone may have initated esterone to be released, | My friend has being using the Natural creme for many years and has had no problems in fact she feels great using it. | F | 67 | 2 days a dab 1X D | 8/1/2011 | 2 | high estrogen low progesterone | severe depression , lose stool , want to sleep and cry all the time .increase of fat on " the flap" stomach. extremly lethargic | I had saliva test done because I was low on energy. the result : high estrogen low progesterone . I am very happy to find this site because my God I feel like another person entered inside of my being. I have experienced depression in my early twenties and have mastered the skill to go in and out of it . Never stay there long . With this cream i do not come out of it . I cry all the time and question why I am here . It is a bizarre reaction I did not expect from something so small . Yes immediate weight gain on the" flap" increase in cellulite overnight ( I am very sensitive to hormones . the pill covered me head to toe in cellulite within one month. Thus " Bio indentical" is great but it is still a hormone . after reading all teh sharing of this information i have decided to stop right now. Crazy crazy stuff . Nothing as strong as hormones and I guess we are were we are because of a reason . It must have started some where . Yet the easy fix of solving the symptom and not the origin is temporary . Thsi kind of depression and god forbit increase of the flap on teh tummy is not worth it . I thank the lady in the forum for sharing her information on dr Mercola , heal the adrenals and the rest will follow . Adrenals ...i think this day and age most of us are running after our tail . Society presses us to preform . To be quiet is " a waste of time " . sadly enough this is not so . Burning the candle at both sides and eventually we pay the price . I | F | 42 | 7 days 20 mg 1X D | 7/31/2011 | 5 | Menstrual migraine | Inreased heart rate but cut out the caffeine and was ok. I would advise women to expirement with their dose. | I use this cream from days 14-28. It has cured my menstrual migraines. I actually had to keep using it when my period started (on days 1-3) and reapplied my dose when my migraine symptoms returned every 6hrs. Don't need to take codeine for pain relief anymore. | F | 33 | 28 days 1ml 1X D | 7/13/2011 | 3 | Cramping; heavy periods; low libido | Severe bloating before period; extreme fatigue, headaches and dizziness | I have done tons of research over the past 5-6 years for my problems. My system is typically out of balance with constant BV and yeast infections (especially right before my period), low lobido, recent vaginal dryness, and severe PMS and mood swings. I started taking natural progesterone cream and it has helped with my mood swings ... no crying this month ... and with my libido and vaginal dryness. BUT I had the worst headaches, fatigue and sense of passing out on the day I stopped taking it when my period arrived. I was also severely bloated. I will try it again next cycle and test out lower amounts so that it doesn't shock my system when my period starts. Othere than that, no BV infections and a higher libido, makes it worth testing it out to find the right dosage for me. | F | 39 | 3 weeks 2X D | 7/9/2011 | 2 | perimenopause,low thyroid & estroge | pounding heartbeat, strange sensation in chest, GERD like symptoms, light-headed and shortness of breath, extreme moodiness; crying over everything. | One person has mentioned that we should not report negative results from this after only taking/using it for a short time; that we should give it a chance. She obviously did not have severe mood swings w/non-stop crying, a pounding heartbeat w/simultaneous chest sensations. It was really scary! I thought I was having a heart attack! After an entire week stopping the creme, I'm STILL having periodic occurrences of a pounding heart beat. I've seen a cardiologist and have a healthy heart other than an 'innocent' heart murmur! So, perhaps women w/heart murmurs should not take progesterone? I've had this happen once B-4 when my OB/GYN wanted to jump-start my periods-I took it in pill form and knew by day TWO what it was doing to my body. I'm going to just stick with the natural thyroid supplement my ND has prescribed. | F | 47 | 7 days 1/4 tsp cr 1X D | 6/8/2011 | 5 | Was foggy and tired, had headaches | I can't say I've had bad side effects. I did have a couple of big headaches the first few weeks, but I get headaches all the time. I did feel like I had heart palpitations, but it wasn't bad and they are gone. | I've seen great results. I apply the natural prescribed progesterone to a different spot with every application, only overlapping the last 6 or so days. I can concentrate again, my headaches are less, my cramps are much better, I sleep like a baby (straight through!) and therefore much less tired! I just took another test and my numbers are showing over 4000 (should be around 400). I think the test was contaminated by my cream, but will be looking into that. I don't feel bad. I intend to lower the dose and take another test next month. | F | 42 | 4.5 months 25 1X D | 5/16/2011 |