Prometrium

camendt · 04-18-2008, 11:58 PM

Hi Everyone -

i am feeling really down about myself lately. I feel like my femininity has diminished significantly these last couple of years. I am considered a thin Cyster at 130lbs and 5'4", but i just don't feel attractive like a woman.

Is anyone on Prometrium? My doctor put me on 100 mg for the last 2 weeks of my period. But it makes me irritable - anyone else?

If you are on it - has it helped with in normalizing your hormones and testosterone levels? I haven't been back in to retest my levels because I get so depressed when I do.

Are there any other suggestions out there. I am afraid of the anti androgen pill since it is meant to be a blood pressure medication. and of Metformin, all of the side effects!

I am trying to exercise, but it doesn't seem to help too much - it takes so long to see any results. I just wish that I were normal.

DalaiMama · 04-23-2008, 01:23 AM

Hello! I'm sorry that you are feeling so down - I've definately been there! PCOS is such a crappy condition to have. It's had me in some very dark mental spaces in my life.

I am also on Prometrium, but I'm 42 and not TTC now. I'm not sure if it's normalizing anything, or what it's doing other than causing me to bleed randomly (when I miss one) and making me feel bloated. I feel as though my PCOS isn't really being "treated" by the doctor; in most ways, I feel as though I have been failed by the medical establishment. I have very enlarged painful ovaries and some minor but irritating and embarassing hirsutism, and also very bad PMS, but because I'm small and fit, no one is "worried" about me. I could insist on being treated for IR (I was tested in my 30s, and came back right on the cut-off), but if I don't want to take Met, I'm not sure what the point would be. I just joined this site and am trying to get more information on helpful supplements - I just don't see any other logical route. Except for exercise. For me, exercise has been key, I think, in helping keep my symptoms manageable. I'm 5'5", and 120 lbs. I used weigh about 10 pounds more, but I cut my portion sizes down and started exercising more, and over time the scale started to budge. It sucks to try to lose weight when you're not heavy, but reducing the belly fat pad (never losing, unfortunately) has done wonders for my self esteem if nothing else!

Tummy · 04-23-2008, 08:36 AM

Prometrium is a form of progesterone, and this is really not a "treatment" for PCOS, it is given so that you have a withdrawal bleed to shed your uterine lining every month so that it doesn't get too thick. It will not do anything to normalize your hormones, including your androgens.

As for what DOES work, you came to the right place to get some suggestions. A lot of people swear by exercise and diet. Many of us have tried or are currently trying Metformin -- some have bad side effects, some don't. Most people say it's worth a shot, and there are tricks for keeping the side effects to a minimum. Some people use alternative meds (check out the alternative med board and post there for suggestions).

My only issue with PCOS is in trying to get pregnant, so my treatment only involves stuff to make me ovulate, so I can't really help with the day-to-day part of it, but surf around soulcysters and you will find more info than you could ever use!

Dalai -- I recommend you see an endocrinologist who will take you seriously. There are several options for treating IR, not just Met, especially if you're not TTC. If your doctors don't take you seriously, find a new one, most importantly find a specialist who knows how to treat PCOS.