Katie_did

Hi it is my first post on here but I am looking for some info and in the UK where I live they don't seem to use this therapy.

In short I was diagnosed with PCOS 6 weeks ago and in another 3 weeks I am going back to see the specialist. He mentioned last time either the Pill or Metaformin (but wanted me to try loose weight before resourting to met).

My problem is that I have irregular periods (min 42days max well over 100 days, in fact up to a year) and that for months I 'try' to ovulate (I produce fertile mucus get stomach pains e.t.c every 2 - 3 weeks). Having read Samuel Thatchers book I am concerned about going a long time without a period and the hormonal fluctuations and abdominal pains (severe abdominal pains) which accompany a long cycle are driving me mad. I don't want to go on the pill as it provided no contraceptive protection at all due to the fact that I throw it up within the 2 hour window every other day and it gives me migraines. I have considered metaformin but I am worried about the side effects (I seem to be very sensitive to medication and would rather avoid it full time). I also don't want to use contraception at the moment (although I am unlikley to concieve naturally).

Therefore I considered progestin/progesterone therepy as it would only be 10-14 days and I would use it if I had not had a period by 8 weeks into my cycle (as that is when things start to get really bad on the hormone side).

Has anyone else had this treatment is so what is it like? Does it balance out the hormone swings like a natural period would? Also did you manage to get it on a long or repeat prescription (and they trust you to do a HPT) or did you have to go to your doctor each time you wanted it an prove that you were not pregnant?

Sorry this is so long

thanks

Katie

jmp

I was on Prometrium (micronized progesterone capsules) for about a year and a half to get regular periods--we weren't ready to actively TTC and we didn't want to be on the BCP anymore. I took 400mg nightly for CD 21-30 and got AF between day 8 of the meds and 2 days after finishing them. We were learning and using Creighton Method Natural Family Planning (CrM NFP) at the time and the MD who was reviewing my charts periodically was the MD who prescribed the Prometrium. In any case, I didn't have to take HPTs every cycle and I didn't have to prove I wasn't PG to get each script. The NFP doctor positively assured me that if I happened to get PG, the Prometrium would NOT bring on AF. The incidence of birth defects on progestins (synthetic progesterones) is small to none, and Prometrium is a natural progesterone with even smaller chances of birth defects.

As for side effects, the Prometrium can make you very tired and dizzy in the few hours after you take it (if you are taking it orally), so it's best to take it right before bed. I had no other side effects on it. Many women who have taken Provera and Prometrium (at different times ) say that they prefer the Prometrium...fewer PMS-like side effects.

Godspeed!

Katie_did

I to chart (I use the sympto-thermal method) hence my reluctance to use BCP full time (as well as the migraines). I just hope that I can persuade the doctor to trust my charting and take the view that yours did (that it isn't likely to cause harm). Having used depo povera in the past I want to try natural progesterone but I am not sure I can get it here in Britain. I will see what he says.

Thank you again, I bet you can't wait for bump to arrive.

Katie

mix

i would seriously recommend a dose of vitex (agnus cactus) every day, along with other herbal remedies. it's best to get along to a good herbalist if you can as the dosage and purity of the herbs is very important.

do you ever come to london? the poly clinic in london (a teaching hospital which is linked to the nhs) has a few great herbalists there and they're at reduced rates.

i'd also recommend getting your diet under control - something i wish i'd done a long time ago. what i didn't realise was prevention is better than cure... and you can prevent a lot of this.

vitex worked for me to a great extent - it brought my periods back and my skin problems under control.

unfortunately the thing i'm trying to deal with right now is my hair loss, i'm hoping to find a way of tackling that... i'm hoping saw palmetto is the answer.

i don't have the poly clinic's url on me at the moment, but here's an article about it: poly clinic, london

Katie_did

for your post.

I have the diet under control and I am loosing weight - in fact I have never been one for junk food, sweets etc.

I don't want to take angus cactus as I want to try to do this naturally without medication (I view alternative remedies like any other medication) and also I need to have more blood tests done and angus cactus messes with the LH/FSH levels. I have also read that it is not always suitable for PCOS sufferers as it can make things worse due to its LH/FSH interaction (I know I have high LH levels anyway and I don't want to raise these further).

I am looking for an interim measure which is short acting so that I can get a period now and then and reduce my chances of cancer while I loose the weight and condiser with my gayne what to do next. From what I have read progesterone does what I need and won't mess up my blood tests. However I am medication sensitive and wanted others views on this route.

Thanks again

Katie