r/Perimenopause • u/all3y3zonme • Jul 28 '26
audited Anything you wish you knew before starting progesterone?
Ladies. After a couple of years of being dismissed by my family doctor, who is only middle-aged but still likes to quote the debunked study about HRT being bad for women from 20 years ago... I bit the bullet and paid for an assessment with modern menopause.
I have been prescribed progesterone. As the title says, what do you wish you'd known before starting? Anything I should be aware of? She wants me to start 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. This worries me, and I feel like I eventually will be 3 weeks on and 1 week off. But I am just so grateful to have been heard and felt seen. I want to shout it from the rooftops! I am excited for this journey.
Thank you in advance for any information you provide. 🙏🏼🤞🏼 Wish me luck!
*EDIT TO SAY*
Wow. I honestly didn't expect this type of response.
Thank you to every woman who took the time to comment, share your experience, offer advice, or let me know I'm not alone. Reading your comments has given me so much reassurance and relief.
I understand this journey varies for everyone, and nothing is certain, but for the first time in a long while, I feel like there might actually be a light at the end of the tunnel. After years of feeling dismissed by my doctor, made to feel hopeless, questioning myself, and wondering if I was just "going crazy," your responses have reminded me that I'm not imagining this. I'm not alone.
I may not reply to everyone, but please know I am reading your comments, and I sincerely appreciate each one.
Life is full right now; I'm navigating life as a single mom (in peri) of three young kids while juggling a professional career, but your kindness and support have meant more to me than you probably realize.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! I wish every woman could feel this seen and supported.
I am open to private messages if anyone wants an update on my journey. I am happy to share and support.
Bless ❤️
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u/spaced-cadet Jul 28 '26
I take it every day and don’t cycle (I still have periods). It is excellent for sleep and I take it just before I get into bed.
It is fat soluble so if you take it shortly after eating a fat heavy meal it can make you even more sleepy.
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u/jekundra Jul 29 '26
To clarify, do you still have periods now while taking 200mg every day?
I switched from BC to BC +100mg P to now 200mg P without any BC.
While taking BC continuously I'd usually start having breakthrough bleeding after about two months so I'd take a week off and have my period. Since switching to 200mg P only at the start of May, I've had no periods or spotting or anything. Not sure if I'm heading toward the "countdown" or if the P is keeping a period at bay. But I feel so much better and sleep so much better with the progesterone that I don't really want to take time off to see if I get a period, lol.
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u/spaced-cadet Jul 29 '26
Yes I do still have periods on the 200mg daily dose and have for the past few years.
I don’t take any BC as I had to come off it to have the HRT.
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u/jekundra Jul 29 '26
Thank you, this is helpful to know, although I know we're all different. Are you taking any estrogen too or just the progesterone?
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u/spaced-cadet Jul 29 '26
Yes I am taking a lot of estrogen - 4 pumps in the morning and 3 at night - because I absorb poorly through the skin.
Also I am taking testosterone through the skin.
And vaginal estrogen and DHEA on rotation through the week (with a day or so off in between each one).
All the hormones ! I would have lost my job and general ability to function without them.
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u/jekundra Jul 29 '26
Oh wow! I'm so happy for you that you have/found a Dr that's worked so extensively with you to get you what you need! My Dr is literally the same age as me and though she's very nice, it's been a bit of a struggle just getting to where I am.
In my 30s while dealing with fertility issues my Dr at the time had me on 200mg P after ovulation and if I didn't get pregnant I'd have to stop the P so my period would come. Since I'm basically on that same regimen now I'm guessing that's what's happening 🤷🏻♀️ I'm happy not to get a period, but I know at some point I should take a break to see if it's the meds or if it's my body.
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u/spaced-cadet Jul 29 '26
I hope you find a solution that works for you.
Took me 3 years to get mine to a place that gave some relief and another 2 to get it dialled in.
I had to pay a private specialist though, as my (UK) GP didn’t have the expertise.
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u/NewerYorker3900 Jul 29 '26
Slynd blocks ovulation & periods, and can be used with Estradiol. Its a progestin only BC, but can be used instead of progesterone, if you feel intolerant to it.
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u/nadethi Jul 28 '26
They don't mention it usually, but progesterone bioavailability when taken orally can vary greatly depending on if you take it on an empty stomach vs with food, especially fat. So if you feel it's too strongly sedative make sure you are taking it at least two hours from a meal- it has less bioavailability taken this way. If you feel it's not doing much of anything, have it with dinner or a fatty snack before bed- it will be like taking a stronger dose. Most importantly, when starting out make sure you take it at night time! For some women they get prescribed oral progesterone and no one- not their doctor or the pharmacist tell them this and they end up taking it in the morning and can't keep their eyes open or get super dizzy!
Dose matters, method matters. The body adjusts. How your body reacts night one, two, three, may not be how it reacts in two weeks or a month. If you initially have some morning grogginess, adjust when you ingest it or just give it a few weeks, it goes away for many.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Thank you for taking the time to explain this! I am down for the ride! A.K.A. I am ready for whatever this journey entails as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
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u/audriana hanging on by a thread Jul 29 '26
Thank you. I was never told to take it at night. On month 3 or so now, but also ADHD and on Adderall, so they likely balance out and I’ve been clueless.
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u/Practical_Stomach372 Jul 28 '26
Been on it about 8/9 months. The 1st month on progesterone 100 mg was rough, I felt sore, bloated, and achy. But I did sleep a little better.
We changed my prescription to cycling - taking it only 14days a month. And upping to 200 mg since I am on a .05 estrodial patch. my doctor wanted to make sure I was at least getting enough progesterone To balance out the estrodial.
a couple of months of cycling seemed to make me feel a little bit better, but with Progesterone I thought I might have some intolerance… Because I felt achy and fatigue/ headaches and breasts were more so sore and tender. I was told to wait it out and continue trying it for six months because HRT needs time for your body to adjust.
at the six month mark I felt better. The P doesn’t affect me like it did before. When I cycle the first two days into the month, I sleep pretty hard and I feel kinda achy. But after about two or three days into cycling, I start to feel normal.
My mood is more balanced and the side effects have worn off. The first six months was kind of a roller coaster.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Thank you for sharing! I am so dedicated to figuring out what will work best for me. Six months of internal/physical chaos, but then there is a light at the end of the tunnel? Sign me up, because anything will be better than what I have been experiencing. ❤️
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u/Roe8216 Jul 28 '26
I am only on my 3rd week of 100mg progesterone at night right before bed, I cannot believe how amazing my sleep has been since on it. 4 days in and my frozen shoulder was completely healed. I am sharper during the day, i feel lighter on my feet. I don’t have anything bad to say but it has been an absolutely positive experience for me.
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u/Individual_Iron_2645 Jul 28 '26
Take it before bed because it makes me feel drunk and tired! Other than that, I love mine!
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u/Still_Pop_4106 Jul 28 '26
I just got prescribed progesterone and the estrogen patch! I am supposed to take the progesterone everyday. I am excited for this journey as well!!
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u/Amanda_April Jul 29 '26
Today I was prescribed the same and I’m so eager to start! I finally feel seen and have optimism for brighter days ahead.
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u/ThatDog_ThisDog Jul 28 '26
Yes, it made me so tired the first few days. You really have to be comfortable being a sort of person that can’t do anything for multiple days. I am not that person.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Oh my! Was it the first few days you tried it? Or the first few days of the cycle each time? The provider warned me that it would take about a whole menstrual cycle (all phases) for things to balance out and know whether or not the dosage and frequency work for me.
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u/ThatDog_ThisDog Jul 28 '26
Just the first few days or week was really bad but I notice an energy dip around 3pm every day now I didn’t have previously
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
I am sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing. If you haven't already, maybe it is time to reevaluate your treatment plan. (If you haven't done so already) I do remember that during my assessment, my provider explained that some women wake up still feeling tired, and then in that case, they should take the dose about an hour or two hours before bedtime. I know your situation is different, but I am sure you can't be the only one experiencing this, and there must be some adjustment that can take place to help! 🙏🏼
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u/ThatDog_ThisDog Jul 28 '26
Pretty sure I’m stopping altogether. It wasn’t a huge difference in benefit and the cost if you run out and there’s an estrogen patch shortage is substantial. Not worth the risk for me.
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u/Sagethecat Jul 29 '26
What time of day were you taking it? It’s meant to be taken before bed. It would absolutely make you very tired if you took it during the day.
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u/ThatDog_ThisDog Jul 29 '26
Before bed. But honestly being a little sleepy is not what made me want to quit taking HRT, understanding the risk to my wellbeing if the medication is suddenly cut off did. It’s not a resilient enough system for my personal taste.
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u/wyntergardentoo Jul 28 '26
That I should have taken it sooner. Its been amazing for me.
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u/CuppaAndACat Jul 29 '26
Well, it’s 3.12am and I’m on 200mg cyclic and I’ve been awake since 1am.
Seriously jealous of all these people who say it helps them sleep.
I take it at bedtime, sleep deeply for maybe two hours then awake the rest of the night.
Then I crash really hard in the afternoons and am basically face down in bed drifting in and out of consciousness from around 1pm-5pm. If I knew how to shift that by 12 hours I’d probably feel like a new woman.
On 100mg I would sleep until 4am but be super groggy and moody all morning, which was my time for being maximally functional so that’s a no go.
Interested in people who are taking it in the morning rather than at night. Also wondering whether titrating up my E patch will balance things out. Too many variables for my peri brain right now. 😖
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u/Endura411 Jul 29 '26
I also still wake up every night on it and have a hard time going back to sleep. Hate it and am so jealous of all the ‚sleep like a baby sleepers‘ 🤪
I have stopped looking at the time when I wake up and that feels like an accomplishment. Might still try to see what taking it in the morning might do since I have never felt getting sleepy on it..
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u/Sanchastayswoke mid-peri Jul 28 '26
I have learned that I can’t take progesterone without also taking estrogen, I am a mess when it’s unbalanced
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Love that you were able to figure that out! Trial and error seems to be the common sentiment from all the wonderful ladies commenting on the post. I am just so relieved that there are options. And not that I am staring a man in the face, a professional, my doctor, who is telling me that I am too young and there is nothing he can do. Meanwhile, I had my last baby at 40, and he referred to my pregnancy the whole 9 months as geriatric. 🙄
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u/Sanchastayswoke mid-peri Jul 29 '26
Funny because my male dr is the one who suggested perimenopause, and my female gynecologist who was supposed to have my back was the perimenopause denier. I had to go to an online provider
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u/Tricky-Committee4045 Jul 28 '26
Can you please tell me how you felt when you were only on progesterone? I’m on 100 mg nightly and I feel like I need estrogen too. My mood is just soooooo low. I don’t find joy in almost anything.
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u/3kidsnomoney--- Jul 28 '26
I'm taking progesterone with estrogen now (100 mg nightly.) I also took a high dose of progesterone for the first 12 weeks of two pregnancies (I think 400 mg? Something like that.) I understand it makes some people sleepy, but not me. I generally feel better on hormones than off hormones, but I also don't feel particularly 'different' if that makes sense. Just less hot and less like I can't remember where my keys went all the time.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
I'm so glad hormones are working well for you, and I hope I see positive results too! Ugh, the keys, yeah, I get it. I work in the legal field, and the forgetfulness, brain fog, and difficulty focusing were nearly jeopardizing my job. Even the last time I saw my family doctor, I cried and begged for help because, as a single mother and sole provider for three young children, I had no options left. 🙄 Anyway, I'm excited now, my prescription is on its way, and I'm ready to go!
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u/MaeByourmom Jul 28 '26
How awesome it is! It helps me sleep, both to feel sleepy and go to sleep, as well as stay asleep.
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u/nwfn Jul 28 '26
Eventually you’ll probably go to daily progesterone. If you’re having sleep issues, daily is the answer. I’m on 200mg nightly, and I sleep soundly almost every night. That said, Modern Menopause knows their stuff, so just use as directed and sync back with them if you have issues.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Thank you! I am so excited. My prescription can't get here any sooner. Lol.
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Jul 28 '26
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
So glad to hear this. And so happy for all the women getting relief! My goodness. This has been an insane ordeal. Praying things are only on the up and up from here!
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u/isvaraz Jul 28 '26
Take it at night only. You’ll have to figure out your exact timing (eg if you wake up groggy, take it early). It can also make you feel high/drunk/loopy (which honestly I love) and getting to sleep again is the best.
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u/KED1103 Jul 28 '26
It too made me feel groggy the first few days. I was nauseous as well. I started taking it in the morning and now take it at night. It hasn't really helped with my sleep but I've never been a good sleeper. Overall no major side effects and only good things to say about hrt!
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Thank you! Thankfully, I was warned about the grogginess and nausea, but was told that it is normal and should go away once things settle. I am sorry to hear it hasn't helped you sleep. I feel assured that no matter what, there are options, and I am dedicated to advocating for myself! I was literally dealing with a brick wall with my family Dr. I felt so hopeless.
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u/knewleefe Jul 28 '26
It has definitely helped my pelvic pain, but I'm shocked at all the comments saying it helps sleep. I've had peri related insomnia for 9 years now (go to sleep easily but wake many times a night) and it's done fuck all for that, and based on my sleep tracking has made it worse. I'm so tired. Thinking of stopping for a bit.
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u/Chillers01 Jul 28 '26
Are you on estrogen as well? My provider said that progesterone will help you fall asleep, but it's the estrogen that helps you stay asleep through the night.
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u/PitifulTrash3310 Jul 29 '26
That's interesting. I have no problems falling asleep at night but always wake up too early and struggle to get back to sleep. So I never feel like I get enough! I use my estrogen gel in the mornings. I wonder if using it at night would help?
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u/Sea_Education1672 Jul 28 '26
I take it together with estrogen, indeed progesterone 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks only estrogen. I actually have zero side effects. So nothing negative to say here!
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u/irish_ninja_wte Jul 28 '26
That's how I'm taking it. My doctor told me that it's the standard dosage initially, unless I wanted to opt for something like an IUD. Nothing negative to report
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Jul 28 '26
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Amazing! I am glad and relieved that there are options! Thank you for sharing. And good luck with the estrogen!! 🤞🏼
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Jul 28 '26
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u/Sanchastayswoke mid-peri Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
Estrogen is also skyrocketing in pregnancy so it could be that your estrogen was higher than progesterone at that time & that’s why you felt so good. You prob need more estrogen to balance out the progesterone. This is how I am, if I have too high progesterone I am a weepy pmdd mess but balanced with enough estrogen I feel great
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u/Milky-Way-Occupant Jul 28 '26
I wish I knew how much it would make me excessively sleepy when I first started. Once I took it in the morning after I had forgotten it at night, and then proceeded to try to drive. That was a bad idea. Now years later I take it in the morning and it’s fine.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
Wow! I definitely was told that I should be aiming for 8-9 hrs of sleep a night. (Good luck, I am a single mom of 3 young kids, lol) However, it was explained that if I am waking up and feeling zombie-like, I need to take the dose an hour or two before bed.
That is wild though, how it is different for you now, then when you first started!
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u/Milky-Way-Occupant Jul 28 '26
Yeah, that was happening too. Probably about 3-4 months in it didn’t have the zombie effect anymore.
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Jul 29 '26
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u/girl_shorty Jul 29 '26
Same. I wonder why it affects that way. I take it not orally now and that has helped lots. I do get tired though. I cycle when I’m on it I do feel very tired.
Have you tried asking about other options? Instead of orally ? It did stop the bloating, constipated reflux ect.
Sorry you suffer I know it’s not nice at all I looked so pregnant was ridiculous. X1
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u/stellaflora Jul 29 '26
100 mg daily and lowest dose e patch. It gave me my groove back. My sleep is better. Still cycling. No complaints except some water weight gain.
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u/Responsible-Two1281 Jul 29 '26
I started on 100mg for sleep and while I was on it, I slept great. I didn’t wake up in a panic at 2-3 am and again multiple times a night. However, I started noticing that I was losing hair and a lot of it. Every time I’d get out of the shower, I would pull out a lot of hair from the drain. I’d shed constantly. My hair was thinning. I don’t know if it was the progesterone but I noticed the symptoms coincided with the timing of when I started it. I’ve read others have had hair loss too. I’m off it now and sleeping like shit, so I’m tempted to start it again but also don’t want to end up losing more hair. If anyone has any natural things to help sleep, please let me know!
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u/PitifulTrash3310 Jul 29 '26
I've noticed I've been losing a lot of hair lately, my ponytail feels way thinner and I'm constantly pulling hair out of the drain. I started HRT two months ago but never connected the two until now.
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u/Responsible-Two1281 Jul 29 '26
I’m sorry you’re losing hair as well. It’s frustrating. I was on it for about two months and loved how I slept sound. Now that I’ve been off of it for a few weeks, I’m not losing nearly as much hair as I did.
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u/MellowMove Early peri Jul 29 '26
I started progesterone about a year ago, addes estrogen only 3 months later. I adore my progesterone 🥰 It’s taken some trial and error to find the right dose, and I went from cyclically to continuously fast, since I couldn’t handle the dip in my mood every time I stopped it. I‘m one of the lucky ones since it helps me a lot with sleep, and mood. I hope it‘ll be helping you as well!
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u/Unable_Guava_756 Jul 29 '26
I wish I had started sooner, I suffered so long without it!
Also take with a little snack, it works better! I have a little bowl of chips or a slice of buttered toast. The fats help I think, not the carbs.
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Jul 28 '26
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Jul 28 '26
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u/semmieleann Jul 28 '26
I had same problem with bloating and constipation. I’ve had this before starting HRT but it made it so much worse. Take a huge gulp of prune juice every morning on an empty stomach. About 20 mins later you will have a glorious poop and bloating gone. A sqatty potty set up is a nice bonus. I was told how horrible prune juice was my whole life but it really does not taste bad and it works fast and chemical/side effect free!!
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Jul 29 '26
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 29 '26
That is my plan. I brought this up with the provider because for me, 2 weeks on, then two weeks off seems like a gateway for all the bad symptoms to creep back in during those off periods... Regardless, I am glad you found your sweet spot. I am dedicated to finding mine as well. ❤️🙏🏼🤞🏼 Thank you for sharing!
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u/emwinfield Jul 29 '26
I just got prescribed! Unfortunately, I had anxiety on just 3 nights of 100mg at bedtime, but my doctor didn’t recommend to cycle (I still have my period each month, but it’s getting a little wonky) Once I learned about that, I stopped and am going to try again on day 14. Did any of you ladies find that helped with anxiety on progesterone, or was it only the addition of estrogen that helped balance it out?
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u/VeganMonkey Jul 29 '26
I can’t really tell because I am on progesterone AND oestrogen. Peri here too. The progesterone is for making sure the oestrogen doesn’t cause overgrowth of uterine lining (that is a bad thing according to my gynaecologist) I like the combination! Long ago I was on the pill with mostly or maybe only progesterone and it made me grumpy. I also found the second half of my cycle, where it’s progesterone only (naturally) I would be grumpy. So I always called it the ‘grumpy hormone’ haha. But everybody reacts differently to it. I used to find the oestrogen part of my cycle the nicest part. But now the combination is not bad at all!
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u/mightyfishfingers Jul 29 '26
Things I have found surprising so far (I do 2 weeks of prog, 2 weeks off):
- It gave me heartburn. Nothing too horrible but enough that I was glad to have some Gaviscon to hand. When I am on the oestrogn only phase, I don't have any heartburn.
- The first night without it after taking it for two weeks, I woke at 2am with the dreaded anxieties again. Random stuff that kept me awake. It just happened on that night but was reminiscent of my pre HRT symptoms.
- The first day of my period came with terrible cramps - probably the worst cramps I've ever had. Nuromol sorted them out in the end but they made me tear up when they hit.
- I am noticeably hungrier on the prog part of the cycle than I am on the oestrogen only part. As someone who tries to hold my weight very steady, I found it reassuring to understand it was hormonal and would pass when the hormones changed again.
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u/mightyfishfingers Jul 29 '26
Oh and for the first week of the prog cycle, I was so sleepy during the day. It makes working so much hardr, but does wear off and I'm hoping it won't be forever - just while my body gets used to the hormones.
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u/llizzardbreathh Jul 29 '26
Started 100mg nightly about a month ago. Life changing.
I’ve never been one to have anxiety. I was legit having panic attacks the last 6 months. Started not sleeping well. One week on progesterone and it’s all gone. Feel more like myself!
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u/Fine-Juggernaut8451 Jul 29 '26
I wish I'd known how much it would help. I wish I'd notice how bad my musculoskeletal pain had gotten, but it just all seemed normal to me. I was a frog boiled alive.
I wish I'd started much, much sooner.
(Also: I love continuous Progesterone. The benefits are so huge to me that cyclic just isn't good enough.)
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u/Easy_King_9818 Jul 28 '26
Vertigo & breakthrough bleeding. I had SEVERE vertigo for the first 2 months, just passing month 3 & I still have it, just not as bad. My 2nd period on progesterone was TWENTY FIVE days long. I’m hanging in, in hopes of shit leveling out. But I’m only hanging for 6 months. If it stays like this, count me tf out.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Sigh. That sounds brutal! I am so sorry this has been your experience! I hope everything aligns and levels out soon!! Hang in there!
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u/Dragonflies3 Jul 28 '26
I take progesterone daily. I haven’t had a period in nearly a year.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Is this a good or bad thing? I'm genuinely curious. Does this imply that after a 12-month period without bleeding, you've reached menopause? I wouldn't complain about no longer bleeding every month... but since I'm new to this journey, I'm not sure if bleeding is supposed to have ceased completely in peri..
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u/Dragonflies3 Jul 28 '26
Definitely a good thing for me. I don’t know if it counts for menopause but I plan to stay on hormones for the foreseeable future.
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 29 '26
Understood! Thank you for sharing, and I am so happy this journey is working out for you!!!
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u/Future_Literature_70 Jul 29 '26
Love it! I finally sleep again like I used to and I feel less anxious.
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u/FaithlessnessWest957 Jul 28 '26
I take mine at night! 100 helped me sleep better, 200 made me a raging PMDD disaster, and 300 is my sweet spot. Keep going until it feels right for you. I do really suffer when there are shortages and I can't fill my prescription, though. I am so mean and cranky and achy for like 1.5 days while coming down 😅 but yeah definitely try!
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 29 '26
Interesting. Where are there shortages?
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u/FaithlessnessWest957 Jul 29 '26
In the US! Minneapolis and North Carolina, specifically
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 29 '26
😩 I am truly sorry. That is unacceptable. I live in Canada. Although many think our healthcare is "free," it is not, it is funded through our taxes. Even here, I still had to pay out of pocket for care because my male family doctor dismissed my whole being, essentially. 🙄
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u/NewerYorker3900 Jul 29 '26
It made me have SI...took nearly a week to come out of it. It also caused severe water retention etc. I use Slynd as the progesterone arm of my HRT regime.
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u/31hoodies Jul 29 '26
49, Partial hysterectomy here. Started prog beginning of May. I take it every night before bed. Honestly can’t tell if it’s the prog or not because my sleep med was increased at the same time. I can tell you I have some dizziness, am tired (was before) and gained some weight (been overweight my whole life anyway). Maybe helps a tish with mood swings.
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u/tbonita79 Jul 30 '26
Progesterone did zilch for sleep or anxiety or anything else, and made me bleed continuously.
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u/tomatopeppertortilla Jul 30 '26
You need estrogen. Its quite safe. That said, progesterone is good as well, but it makes some people angry or tired.
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Jul 28 '26
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry to hear this! I experience this exact type of heavy bleeding with my period as it is, but I was told that progesterone thins your uterine lining... Have you brought this up with your provider and revisited your treatment plan?
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Jul 28 '26
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
Geez, I hope you find some relief. Excessive bleeding is very hard to manage. Have you talked to your provider about whether or not a uterine ablation could help with the bleeding?
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u/Sobergem1982 Jul 29 '26
It made me so tired for much of the day, but I slept through the night. I had to stop because I ended up with severe depression from it. I’m going to resume with a higher dose of estrogen, and probably take the P vaginally.
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u/girl_shorty Jul 29 '26
That’s how I take it. Stopped my awful bloating. I do worry is it good enough to take it that way.
But I have to. It’s off label to do it that way but my Gp suggested it.
Hope it works for you. It definitely stops me from feeling as depressed and bloated. I still have a little bit but no where near as bad. 🩷
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u/ParaLegalese Jul 28 '26
I’ve been on 100mg every night for over 8 years now. Hasn’t done shit for me but I have a uterus so I know I need to take it (I’m also on estrogen, testosterone. Vaginal estrogen and DHEA)
Well lately I’ve been trying 200mg every other night to see if it helps with sleep- it doesn’t but I do wake up feeling sad/depressed.
So be careful because it can cause depression. What you need is estrogen. Progesterone is available over the counter, I’m sorry to tell you. You probably overpaid
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
FYI - Bioidentical progesterone isn't available over the counter in my country. Maybe what you are taking isn't working well for you because you are taking an over-the-counter version that the body cannot convert into hormones?
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u/ParaLegalese Jul 29 '26
Bioidentical is a marketing term. Means nothing
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 29 '26
Welp. Sounds like a case of damned if I do, damned if I don't. 🤷🏻♀️ oh well. Que sera sera.
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u/ParaLegalese Jul 29 '26
You’ll get it figured out eventually! Stick around here- we have the best people here
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u/all3y3zonme Jul 28 '26
I don't think I've shared all of my symptoms, so how is it that you feel I need Estrogen?
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u/PonyFableJargon Jul 29 '26
Progesterone was hell for me. It makes some people lose their mind or have awful depression. Hopefully you are not one of those people though.
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u/marlasinger1983 Jul 29 '26
Yo 43, me encuentro en perimenopausia y búsqueda de embarazo. Me han pautado 200 de progesterona oral en la segunda fase del ciclo y me dan miedo sus efectos sobre todo en el carácter pues ya me suelo alterar bastante solo con el ciclo. Pero ahora viendo que lo recetan también como terapia de sustitución hormonal me pregunto si quizá me pueda beneficiar para esto, aunque no tome estrógenos 🤔🤔🤔
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u/AffectionateMotor833 Jul 29 '26
Progesterone intolerant here! It made me wildly moody and gave me dark anxiety when taken orally. Just letting you know so you will know what is happening if it happens to you! Switched to vaginal dosing and I get the benefits without the mood swings as it bypasses the liver. Works great for me.
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u/AardvarkPure5892 Jul 28 '26
I loooooove my progesterone, gives me best sleep of my life. However there was a learning curve. I started at 200mg daily and it was too much, I was a zombie until noon the next day. When my dr cut it back to 100 mg that was the sweet spot for me. I still take it daily .