low estrogen and progesterone

ttrumps · 06-09-2004, 10:47 AM

Does anyone else been diagnosed with low estrogen and low progesterone together?? I was wondering how common this is.

ttrumps

paigettie · 06-22-2004, 11:55 AM

I have that issue...in fact, I'm estrogen dominant even though both levels are low. Odd, huh? (also have low functioning thyroid that I've just started treating too.) I'm doing herbals right now, and then hopefully I'll o and start NPC, I think. I'm on a whole new routine with a naturopath, so I still have a lot to figure out for me right now.

Paige

ttrumps · 06-22-2004, 04:24 PM

Paigettie,

thanks for replying! I thought I was the only one with this. Do you have PCO's, too? I used to have bad acne until I used Flax Seed Oil. That all disappeared. I don't have facial hair or any of the other symptoms associated with PCO's except for reoccuring cysts on my ovaries. I don't think I O because my temps are always low. But yet I have symptoms of estrogen dominance such as bloating, tenderness, etc. If I use NPC those symptoms go away. I started using Kelp and that has made a difference in my skin and my general attitude. It is weird because I no longer have "shakes" if I don't eat so I am thinking maybe Hypothyroidism. If I can regain my monthly period I will be all happy! What herbals are you on?? I wish you success!!!

ttrumps

paigettie · 06-22-2004, 09:24 PM

Funny, I thought it odd that no one else really brought it up, especially when I did. Everyone was all worried that it was only an estrogen thing and told me I'd better not use anything with estrogen cuz it would make it worse, and yet, my symptoms still said both. I finally got brave enough to treat the estrogen side of it too.

The herbals I'm on are three fold. One is for regulating my "feminine cycle" one is for stress as I'm really stressed out by some stuff going on in my family and it's taking it's toll on my body, and one is for thyroid function. (I've got a mild goiter. I had noticed it, but didn't know that's what it was and now that my naturopath brought it up it's SO much more obvious. That and when I had my thyroid tested a few years ago, it came back in normal range, low side, but normal. With the release of the altered values recently, I'd qualify as being hypothyroid as well. (what can I say, I seem to be a mess and I don't really even know it!

)

My herbal combinations contain: (Female comfort) Red Raspberry leaves, Dong Quai Root, Ginger Root, Licorice Root, Black Cohosh Root, Blessed Thistle Whole Herb, Marshmallow Root, and Queen of the Meadow Herb (Thyroid Balance) Kelp Plant, Irish Moss Plant, Parsley Herb, Hops flowers, and Capsicum Fruit (Stress Blend) White Willow Bark, Black Cohosh Root, Capsicum Fruit, Valerian Root, Ginger Root, Hops flowers, Wood Betony Herb, and Devil's Claw Root. They are from Nature's Sunshine. They are supposed to be among the very best quality on the market. They receive a shipment of herbs and pick it over. From there the rejected herbs get shipped to the other herbal companies. How's that for quality??? I thought they'd be a lot more $$ than they are too, but they are really affordable.

Once I ovulate, I'll add in NPC for the duration of my lp, and if, for some strange reason I actually got pg,

I'd check with my naturopath to see if I needed to change some of them cuz black cohosh is bad during the first two trimesters.

Quote:

If I can regain my monthly period I will be all happy!

Funny, That's pretty much where I'm at. i'm tired of 70+ day cycles. I just want to be at a point where I'm getting them regularly 40 or less days apart. (and some women have a fit at 40 days!!!)

Sorry to be so chatty.

Did I cover it all???

Paige

prunepie · 06-22-2004, 11:11 PM

i have markedly low estrogen and progesterone too and most likely will have to get on hormones for it..

but i am confused..how can one be estrogen dominant if their estrogen levels are low???? xoxo jenn

paigettie · 06-23-2004, 12:43 AM

I explain it like this (how my doc explained it to me YEARS ago). Lets say for the sake of understanding (and this is in NO WAY accurate for real numbers, just simplicity) Let's say at any given time your estrogen levels and progesterone levels are supposed to be 100% normal. You can be estrogen dominant and still have low estrogen and progesterone if your levels are say: Progesterone level 1 (25%) and estrogen level 2(50%); Progesterone level 2(50%) and estrogen level 3(75%), or progesteron level 1(25%) and estrogen level 3(75%). See, both levels are less than they should be, (less than 100%) but estrogen levels are still higher than progesterone making you "estrogen dominant" yet still deficient. Does that make any sense at all???

Paige

prunepie · 06-23-2004, 12:58 AM

Okay i get it..but lets say you are estrogen dominant..but regardless your estrogen is still too low.... what does that mean for your body if your estrogen is higher than your progesterone???

and does it matter??? as far as symptoms if you are estrogen dominant..... but yet need more estrogen in your body (along with progesterone of course)

do my questions make sense??

i heard of symptoms of estrogen dominance..but they never went into if levels are both low...

sorry,,, if this is confusing xo jenn

paigettie · 06-23-2004, 03:34 AM

I think I understand your question. Treating it naturally the way I am, you would want to do something like a natural progesterone cream along with herbal combination for estrogen...like the one I mentioned earlier. I feel like I finally have the estrogen dominance under control, so I can focus my npc in the lp only, rather than all cycle. Does that help at all??? If you were to go to the doctor, they would probably say something like "lets use bcp's for a year or two to even out those levels and see where you are then." Hmmmmm, I guess it just depends on where you want to go with it and what feels good to you.

Paige

prunepie · 06-23-2004, 03:48 AM

hi paige... what i want is to increase both progesterone and estrogen.

i have insane hot flashes, sweating, fatigue blahblahblah...

literaly both are very low..but i dont know how to do the ratio to see if i am estrogen dominant though..since the 2 levels of these hormones are measured so differently.

i do not want bcps..but perhaps hrt.... ughs the whole thing sucks doesnt it?? lol oxox

ttrumps · 06-23-2004, 10:58 AM

Paigettie,

have you noticed a difference yet or have you just started on the herbals? Did you change anything in your diet as well??

ttrumps

paigettie · 06-23-2004, 02:42 PM

Jen, you could use a "balancing" herbal combination like what I'm using, and add progesterone cream to it at the same time and see how that helps. If you feel better, you'll know you're finding balance.

I have noticed a difference already. About 48 hours after I started I noticed I was a lot less *dry* and very , uhm, amorous shall we say. My dh didn't know what to think. it's clamed down some. I haven't done anything with my diet yet. I need to return to the IR DIET and I did better with that yesterday, but more work ahead. When I ovulate, I'll keep taking the herbs and add in some NPC each day.

Paige