angieQ

I had my progesterone tested and it was really low, so I bought some lifeflo brand and started when I just finished up my period and started taking the cream. I used small amounts just to see if I could tolerate it ok before ratcheting up to the full dose. I started getting lower back pains like I do before my period. I thought that was odd and could not figure it out. I thought for sure it wasnt my period starting as I just finished it and progesterone is supposed to inhibit it. Well I stayed on the low dose for a few days because the back pain was horrible. Then on day 4 I couldnt believe it, I started my period ??? What on earth is going on here ?

root4bebe

Hi AngieQ,
I will soon start using progesterone cream which brought my attention to your post. I started reading a book by Dr. John R. Lee titled What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life From Thirty to Fifty. I highly suggest all Cysters to read this book.

I'm quoting from page 328 of the book:
"...In premenopausal women, progesterone deficiency causes a "tuning-down" of estrogen receptors; when women begin using progesterone cream, this reactivates those receptors. This can temporarily cause buildup of the endometrium, with spotting and irregular bleeding. Most women find that the estrogenic symptoms disappear within a couple of cycles."

Hopefully that helps!