Progesterone

[Jaz650]

Hi everyone,
I have mood issues, stress because my upcoming SRS, and my hormones were increased recently. I was wondering if progesterone would have any effect as an anti depressant? Sorry, I just woke up, so I might not be making much sense.

[Myarkstir]

There is already a HUGE thread somewhere in the forum. Your answer might already be in there. 

[Shawn Sunshine]

Lots of people are saying Micronized Bioidentical (natural) progesterone, is helping with moods. I am asking my doctor to prescribe it, still have to wait a while.

[Rachelicious]

Most of the ideas about Progesterone having negative mood effect were, effectively, from dispensations that are much less pure than the bioidentical, micronized versions available now. It's actually 'lack' of adequate progesterone or fall of its levels that is associated with mood issues. Some doctors swear it's not necessary, but chemically my body really did not feel right without a complete hormonal profile.

I just started mine a few weeks ago and there is a BIG difference in terms of my general sense of well being. Extremely pleased that I went for it. I'm using a topical cream applying morning and before bed. Quite a bit more than estrogen even, I can't imagine going back to not using it.

[KayXo]

Is the cream prepared by a compounding pharmacy, does it contain USP progesterone? And have you tested your levels? I would be very curious to find out its rate of absorption and how effective it is topically since all studies to date have shown extremely poor absorption and very low blood levels.

[KayXo]

Hi everyone,
I have mood issues, stress because my upcoming SRS, and my hormones were increased recently. I was wondering if progesterone would have any effect as an anti depressant? Sorry, I just woke up, so I might not be making much sense.

I thought for awhile it might be making more depressed but I think it's actually doing the opposite now. Still a little on the fence about it. Some swear by it!

[Jessica Merriman]

I just started mine a few weeks ago and there is a BIG difference in terms of my general sense of well being. Extremely pleased that I went for it. I'm using a topical cream applying morning and before bed. Quite a bit more than estrogen even, I can't imagine going back to not using it.

Same here for me except I use injectable Progesterone. My Endo swears by it and thinks it is a vital component to HRT. 

[Rachelicious]

Is the cream prepared by a compounding pharmacy, does it contain USP progesterone? And have you tested your levels? I would be very curious to find out its rate of absorption and how effective it is topically since all studies to date have shown extremely poor absorption and very low blood levels.

Re: studies, citations/links, please. That's a sweeping generalization to make. Oh wait, I found one for you... http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/drugdata/percutaneous.pdf

...in which the skin appears to be an effective enough route to achieve luteal (i.e. high) levels of progesterone. This + my experience over the past few weeks offer evidence ~ you've simply proposed an idea and claimed it's useful.

Obviously taking any "progesterone cream" other than bioidentical micronized cream from a compounding pharmacy would be foolish, but it is still much too early to test levels! A minimum of a month if not two at least is needed for them to level out first.

[KayXo]

Re: studies, citations/links, please. That's a sweeping generalization to make. Oh wait, I found one for you... http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/drugdata/percutaneous.pdf

...in which the skin appears to be an effective enough route to achieve luteal (i.e. high) levels of progesterone.

I've actually read that study before and consistent with other studies which I cannot quote here due to an agreement made between me and the administrators, the levels achieved were actually quite low, never more than 3-3.5 ng/ml which are in the VERY low end of the luteal phase range (from 2-5 to up to 20 ng/ml and up to 200+ during pregnancy). Far from impressive. I doubt any significant effects, for our purposes, will be felt at those levels.

They do however cite later that in one study where progesterone GEL was applied, levels increased more substantially (but still not THAT singnificant) at higher doses only. Compare these results to the rectal, vaginal, oral and ESPECIALLY intramuscular route (although inconvenient) and one will inevitably conclude that percutaneous is not the ideal route of administration. 

So really, the study you provide confirms my earlier statements.

[LShipley]

I take prometrium each night before sleep and I haven't noticed any side effect at all beyond being sleepy (although my day starts at 5:30 and it could be pure exhaustion) and a lot of breast sensations. If anything my moods seem more stable but the only side effects I've felt is sleepiness.

Provera is a different animal that I only read negatives attributed to it but that does not come from a doctor OR personal experience.

[Rachelicious]

Why would such studies not be linkable here? Assuming they're relevant and don't contain sensitive (ex. self-dosage) information, it would help the discussion.

What I find interesting is the (1999) study cites a minimum recommended dosage less than 1/3 of what I was prescribed to start with, so it could be that pharmacies are since covering ground in prescribing a correct dosage with topical cream. There's no fixed standard for blood progesterone levels, but the levels achieved with gel in the study I linked are barely under what many ladies on conception forums regard an "ideal" range for the upper end of the luteal phase - there is clearly no need for a pregnancy p-level to be feminized. And that of course that raises to question what is the blood level or blood level range that would be (most) useful to us, or to the needs of any specific person for that matter.

It's a nebulous topic. But while you muster all the doubt you care to theorize about why this method does not offer viable benefits, my dairies over the last few weeks speak volumes about the effects progesterone cream has had on me.