05-02-2016, 03:16
Extremely low Progesterone levels
March 6 2009 at 6:46 PM
Dreamer (Login LuCLu)
SENIOR MEMBER
I recently went to the doctor to get my blood checked and had her check my hormones too since i was there. I am waaaaayyyy low on my progesterone. I am at "0.9" on my luteal phase when i'm supposed to be inbetween 3.3-26.0 that's likse severely low!! Now wonder i feel totally gross before my periods! All that to say- this is my first month off of bc pills for like a year...and i'm 4 days late on my period(at day 32 of cycle). I took 2 pregnancy tests, but both came out negative. My Gyno told me that if i dont get my preiod by middle of next week that shes going to give me progesterone so that i get my period....
Wondering:
Has anyone had a severe case of progesterone deficiency like myself, missed periods or were irregular (this is the first time ive been irregular ever) and what did you do about it? I've heard Maca gentley regulates your endoctrine system to balance hormones....has anyone had success with this?
Rosa
(Login BlackDiamond27)
Re: Extremely low Progesterone levels
March 7 2009, 4:00 AM
Most definitely I had severe case of progesterone deficiency low levels out of this world.The most periods I had a year were 5.I had those awful pains that let me know I am about to come on my period.My cycle were very heavy on the 1 couple of days.Breast tenderness,I was damn near infertile you name it it was happening to me.I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was like 14 which basically is a syndrome based on progesterone deficiency so I finally got a answer why this was.In the beginning I was put on BCP like you.I would take them but I knew they were only masking my problems.They would temporarily fix the symptoms of my proges. deficiency but they did not get to the root of whatever it was CAUSING my hormones to be imbalances and if I was to get off the pill I would be faced with the same old thing.
Then..well I always been into the natural over fake so I started getting interested on herbs buying herbal books and what not learning about things.I was on the net looking about herbs for progesterone deficiency and many came up but one that stood out to me was Chaste Berry(Vitex) b/c it is does NOT contain hormones it acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands(which is the master glands of controlling the sex hormones).It increases LH (lutenizing hormone) and mildly inhibiting the relaease of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH.The result is shift in the Estrogen to progesterone,in favor of progesterone.
I don't regret buying one bit I am balanced now and I have periods month to month without the pains.Not even tit tenderness :-).I don't belive you will regret either.
Now Vitex is not a fast acting herb.The minimum is 3 months 3 to six to see results.But after all the goal is to be cured of your imbalance and if 3 to 6 months is what it takes then I would go for it.Now there are other herbs for pro deficiency also if you want a faster approach.Of course there is also Progesterone creams that will help you also but basically I wanted to give my personal experience and what has helped me.Good luck to you.
Rosa
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: Extremely low Progesterone levels
March 7 2009, 12:45 PM
Hi Noodles,
If this is your first month off of birth control pills then the low progesterone is likely a result of that. You probably have not ovulated for over a year. When you ovulate your body creates the corpus luteum out of the lining the egg came from. It is the corpus luteum that creates the majority of your progesterone.
It is not uncommon for it to take several months for you body to recover from BCP. You may not ovulate for several months which means you will not have access to your natural progesterone.
Rosa's idea about vitex is a good one. It will likely help you achieve hormonal balance as it has for many women.
I worry that your doctor may use an artificial progesterone to treat you. These progestins (artificial progesterone) are not as good for your body as natural progesterone. Your doctor may try and tell you otherwise, but there are many MD's who now understand that you would do better with natural progesterone. It would also be better if the natural progesterone was given to you as a cream to apply to your skin versus a pill or an injection. If you are given a pill, about 70 percent of the progesterone gets filtered out by your liver - if that sounds toxic you are right, it is.
By offering you a progesterone injection your doctor is trying to 'quick fix' a symptom of imbalance rather than help your body be natural. Getting your period would not mean you came back to a normal menstrual cycle.
I have used Maca and let me tell you, as far as being the 'cure all' for hormone issues I think it pales in comparison to vitex for what you are describing. I know Maca is touted as being an 'adaptogen' and will make you any hormone your body needs - but it did not help me with my estrogen dominance. I don't think Maca is good at promoting progesterone.
What you need most is patience right now. I know you want things to be normal as soon as possible, but it will likely take several months before your body comes back to normal. The more artificial things you do the longer it might take to get you back to your normal rhythm.
It would be a good idea to read up on your issue. If you google "irregular period after birth control" you will find a lot of women who share your problem.
Just be patient Noodle. It may take a few months. If you want to try something that can't hurt the situation then take the vitex. Rosa is right that it will take a few months to start working but it will help your body get back to normal.
Best wishes,
waxingmoon
Dreamer
(Login LuCLu)
SENIOR MEMBER
I've heard of Vitex
March 9 2009, 7:55 PM
Hey there, thanks for your answers ladies.
I have heard of both maca and vitex. Maca was more talked up (on the net) than Vitex, but i've seen more reliable answers from personal experience on this forum about vitex, just wasnt totally looking into it at that point because i didnt know i had this hormonal imbalance. Ok, so i ended up getting my period naturally on the 33rd day of my cycel, which seemed like forever!...regardless, im glad that my body menstruated naturally meaning i probably ovulated right? ....i've also heard from a reliable source that phytoestrogens help to lower your actual estrogen by blocking the receptor sites with lower doses, so it's been told that my continuing to take saw palmetto, wild yam, fenugreek, and evening primrose oil is helpful while still continuing taking progesterone cream. My breasts have filled out a little during this last month (i thought it was just do to an excess of estrogen and from PMS swelling) however im on my second day of my new cycle and my breasts have retained that size....which is great, but im just wondering from this source if taking my phytoestrgens while using pc is cool?....or should i quit the phytos and just go with vitex and pc? Im wondering beacuse it seems (with the major breast fullness/increase)that i have seen nice results with my herbs....
March 6 2009 at 6:46 PM
Dreamer (Login LuCLu)
SENIOR MEMBER
I recently went to the doctor to get my blood checked and had her check my hormones too since i was there. I am waaaaayyyy low on my progesterone. I am at "0.9" on my luteal phase when i'm supposed to be inbetween 3.3-26.0 that's likse severely low!! Now wonder i feel totally gross before my periods! All that to say- this is my first month off of bc pills for like a year...and i'm 4 days late on my period(at day 32 of cycle). I took 2 pregnancy tests, but both came out negative. My Gyno told me that if i dont get my preiod by middle of next week that shes going to give me progesterone so that i get my period....
Wondering:
Has anyone had a severe case of progesterone deficiency like myself, missed periods or were irregular (this is the first time ive been irregular ever) and what did you do about it? I've heard Maca gentley regulates your endoctrine system to balance hormones....has anyone had success with this?
Rosa
(Login BlackDiamond27)
Re: Extremely low Progesterone levels
March 7 2009, 4:00 AM
Most definitely I had severe case of progesterone deficiency low levels out of this world.The most periods I had a year were 5.I had those awful pains that let me know I am about to come on my period.My cycle were very heavy on the 1 couple of days.Breast tenderness,I was damn near infertile you name it it was happening to me.I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was like 14 which basically is a syndrome based on progesterone deficiency so I finally got a answer why this was.In the beginning I was put on BCP like you.I would take them but I knew they were only masking my problems.They would temporarily fix the symptoms of my proges. deficiency but they did not get to the root of whatever it was CAUSING my hormones to be imbalances and if I was to get off the pill I would be faced with the same old thing.
Then..well I always been into the natural over fake so I started getting interested on herbs buying herbal books and what not learning about things.I was on the net looking about herbs for progesterone deficiency and many came up but one that stood out to me was Chaste Berry(Vitex) b/c it is does NOT contain hormones it acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands(which is the master glands of controlling the sex hormones).It increases LH (lutenizing hormone) and mildly inhibiting the relaease of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH.The result is shift in the Estrogen to progesterone,in favor of progesterone.
I don't regret buying one bit I am balanced now and I have periods month to month without the pains.Not even tit tenderness :-).I don't belive you will regret either.
Now Vitex is not a fast acting herb.The minimum is 3 months 3 to six to see results.But after all the goal is to be cured of your imbalance and if 3 to 6 months is what it takes then I would go for it.Now there are other herbs for pro deficiency also if you want a faster approach.Of course there is also Progesterone creams that will help you also but basically I wanted to give my personal experience and what has helped me.Good luck to you.
Rosa
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: Extremely low Progesterone levels
March 7 2009, 12:45 PM
Hi Noodles,
If this is your first month off of birth control pills then the low progesterone is likely a result of that. You probably have not ovulated for over a year. When you ovulate your body creates the corpus luteum out of the lining the egg came from. It is the corpus luteum that creates the majority of your progesterone.
It is not uncommon for it to take several months for you body to recover from BCP. You may not ovulate for several months which means you will not have access to your natural progesterone.
Rosa's idea about vitex is a good one. It will likely help you achieve hormonal balance as it has for many women.
I worry that your doctor may use an artificial progesterone to treat you. These progestins (artificial progesterone) are not as good for your body as natural progesterone. Your doctor may try and tell you otherwise, but there are many MD's who now understand that you would do better with natural progesterone. It would also be better if the natural progesterone was given to you as a cream to apply to your skin versus a pill or an injection. If you are given a pill, about 70 percent of the progesterone gets filtered out by your liver - if that sounds toxic you are right, it is.
By offering you a progesterone injection your doctor is trying to 'quick fix' a symptom of imbalance rather than help your body be natural. Getting your period would not mean you came back to a normal menstrual cycle.
I have used Maca and let me tell you, as far as being the 'cure all' for hormone issues I think it pales in comparison to vitex for what you are describing. I know Maca is touted as being an 'adaptogen' and will make you any hormone your body needs - but it did not help me with my estrogen dominance. I don't think Maca is good at promoting progesterone.
What you need most is patience right now. I know you want things to be normal as soon as possible, but it will likely take several months before your body comes back to normal. The more artificial things you do the longer it might take to get you back to your normal rhythm.
It would be a good idea to read up on your issue. If you google "irregular period after birth control" you will find a lot of women who share your problem.
Just be patient Noodle. It may take a few months. If you want to try something that can't hurt the situation then take the vitex. Rosa is right that it will take a few months to start working but it will help your body get back to normal.
Best wishes,
waxingmoon
Dreamer
(Login LuCLu)
SENIOR MEMBER
I've heard of Vitex
March 9 2009, 7:55 PM
Hey there, thanks for your answers ladies.
I have heard of both maca and vitex. Maca was more talked up (on the net) than Vitex, but i've seen more reliable answers from personal experience on this forum about vitex, just wasnt totally looking into it at that point because i didnt know i had this hormonal imbalance. Ok, so i ended up getting my period naturally on the 33rd day of my cycel, which seemed like forever!...regardless, im glad that my body menstruated naturally meaning i probably ovulated right? ....i've also heard from a reliable source that phytoestrogens help to lower your actual estrogen by blocking the receptor sites with lower doses, so it's been told that my continuing to take saw palmetto, wild yam, fenugreek, and evening primrose oil is helpful while still continuing taking progesterone cream. My breasts have filled out a little during this last month (i thought it was just do to an excess of estrogen and from PMS swelling) however im on my second day of my new cycle and my breasts have retained that size....which is great, but im just wondering from this source if taking my phytoestrgens while using pc is cool?....or should i quit the phytos and just go with vitex and pc? Im wondering beacuse it seems (with the major breast fullness/increase)that i have seen nice results with my herbs....