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How Best Should I Start Using Progesterone Cream?
Question: I am 39 years old and have had long and irregular periods for the past year. In addition, I have had the mood swings, a 10 pd weight gain (very unusual for me), and irritability. My doctor gave me mirena to help regulate things because I did not want to go back on the pill. I had a lot of issues with Mirena....constant spotting and bleeding for 5 months until it finally came out on its own a couple days ago. I have done some research and would like to start using progesterone cream to regulate my cycle and symptoms but I have no idea when to start. With the continual bleeding/spotting on Mirena, I have no idea where my cycle is at. I am bleeding now, but don't know if this is a light period or a result of the mirena coming out. What would be the best approach to starting natural progesterone cream?
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Irregular periods due to hormonal imbalance at your age could be due to few reasons.One,due to pre menopause symptoms.Two,due to uterine pathology. three,due to the IUD( Intrauterine devices).
Lets rule out the first option for the time being.
Normally,after a few months of Mirena use the side effects like irregular bleeding,weight changes,bloating, etc usually settle down and regularize.Very rarely do they side effects continue as long as 1 year.If the mirena is removed,then side effects stop also.
I suggest that you see for a few days more if the bleeding stops.
If there is still bleeding,i would advise a ultrasound to rule out pathology that may be causing the bleeding.
If the ultrasound is normal then you can think about progesterone.
About when to start,you have to wait for regular cycles again.If needed you can take medicines to get your periods and count from there.
Wait and watch if your current bleeding is like a period or not.
If it continues for more than a week,you should seek intervention.
Regards,
Thanks for the query.
Irregular periods due to hormonal imbalance at your age could be due to few reasons.One,due to pre menopause symptoms.Two,due to uterine pathology. three,due to the IUD( Intrauterine devices).
Lets rule out the first option for the time being.
Normally,after a few months of Mirena use the side effects like irregular bleeding,weight changes,bloating, etc usually settle down and regularize.Very rarely do they side effects continue as long as 1 year.If the mirena is removed,then side effects stop also.
I suggest that you see for a few days more if the bleeding stops.
If there is still bleeding,i would advise a ultrasound to rule out pathology that may be causing the bleeding.
If the ultrasound is normal then you can think about progesterone.
About when to start,you have to wait for regular cycles again.If needed you can take medicines to get your periods and count from there.
Wait and watch if your current bleeding is like a period or not.
If it continues for more than a week,you should seek intervention.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply. I recently had a normal pap so is it safe to assume my uterine pathology is fine?
Just wanted to mention again that the other symptoms of long, irregular periods, bloating, headaches, weightgain, etc started long before the mirena. This was a change that came on during a stressful time in my life and I do think it is a hormone shift. I gained weight in my stomach and upper thighs and my husband says I am very moody. I feel more down and blah...just not myself. The symptoms just didn't go away when the stress ended ages ago. My doctor thought Mirena would help, and just resulted in spotting/bleeding everyday for 4-5 months. Therefore, the Mirena was not a cause or solution.
Therefore, I am ruling out the IUD and uterine pathology and focusing on hormone imbalance. I would like to try progesterone....
You mentioned that medications could be taken to start a period...what would that be?
Is it okay to start dosing progesterone like I am at day 12-26 dose of progesterone cream - on any given day and let my cycle adjust?
Thanks so much!
Just wanted to mention again that the other symptoms of long, irregular periods, bloating, headaches, weightgain, etc started long before the mirena. This was a change that came on during a stressful time in my life and I do think it is a hormone shift. I gained weight in my stomach and upper thighs and my husband says I am very moody. I feel more down and blah...just not myself. The symptoms just didn't go away when the stress ended ages ago. My doctor thought Mirena would help, and just resulted in spotting/bleeding everyday for 4-5 months. Therefore, the Mirena was not a cause or solution.
Therefore, I am ruling out the IUD and uterine pathology and focusing on hormone imbalance. I would like to try progesterone....
You mentioned that medications could be taken to start a period...what would that be?
Is it okay to start dosing progesterone like I am at day 12-26 dose of progesterone cream - on any given day and let my cycle adjust?
Thanks so much!
No,the pap smear would indicate only cervical pathology. The ultrasound will help to rule out Uterine pathology like fibroids,polyps,endometrial hyperlasia etc.
I suggest that you get that done before you consider progesterone.The cause of the bleeding needs to be determined.
I agree, maybe the IUD isn't the cause here.
I would also suggest some blood tests to rule out hormone imbalance.
If the blood test / Ultrasound is ok, then you could talk to your doctor about progesterone.
We give tablet progesterone for withdrawal bleeding so that the menses could be regularised.
I still advise that you wait to see if the cycle adjusts on its own since the mirena has been out just a few days.
You will have to take a prescription for the hormones from your doctor.
Please dont take any medications on your own.You doctor has to be informed before any such act.
Regards,
I suggest that you get that done before you consider progesterone.The cause of the bleeding needs to be determined.
I agree, maybe the IUD isn't the cause here.
I would also suggest some blood tests to rule out hormone imbalance.
If the blood test / Ultrasound is ok, then you could talk to your doctor about progesterone.
We give tablet progesterone for withdrawal bleeding so that the menses could be regularised.
I still advise that you wait to see if the cycle adjusts on its own since the mirena has been out just a few days.
You will have to take a prescription for the hormones from your doctor.
Please dont take any medications on your own.You doctor has to be informed before any such act.
Regards,
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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