Hi guys,

Thought I would add my experience here too. I have contacted Murmur about this, who by the way, I am so grateful to for sharing her story with us.

I had esstentially the same problems for about the past 2 years - cystic acne, (jawline and cheeks), perceived hypoglycemia, weakness, nausea, extreme fatigue etc. In April 2007

I had my eureka moment - during my third week on Yasmin (only took it for a bit =hated it), and I suddenyl felt terrific (as in, wow! this is how I used to feel!). So pretty much I figured my skin and crappy health were connected.

Long frustrating story short, three months ago I started on hormonin (like tri-est) every day and 100mg progesterone days 12-26. Hormonin worked instantly (like 15 hours later) in terms of gettig rid of the hypoglycaemia. I can now eat three meals a day and not start shaking one hour after breakfast. However, it became very clear the dose was too high as two days afterwards the nausea was crazy!!

Basically, I find the estrogen makes my skin a bit glowier (it used to look really thin and grey), and also seems to stop the huge scarring cystic acne from appearing. The progesterone gives me SMOOTHER skin (I got the dreaded bumpies on my forehead when the estrogen got too high), and energy!!

Like Murmur (who has way more experience with this), I too have had ups and downs, but even my worst day now is better than I was before. My skin is gradually beginning to heal (not at the no make up stage yet), and I only now get a few pimples a month which heal quickly.

I totally agree with murmur there is a fine line between the right balance and the wrong balance and I am stilll learning this. The second month I took less estrogen (on the advice of my doc of course), and the third month I took even less. So I am now beginning my fourth cycle and am no longer taking estrogen. I have the kind of nausea estrogen produces, but not the hypoglycemia. I am hoping this means I am producing enough on my own.

What I would say to anyone considering bioidenticals is that both Murmur and myself had pretty severe symptoms aside from the acne - any of you others? Leah? Deadon5? It was almost like I could tell what was working based on how I felt, and the skin followed. So deadon5, don't panic if things aren't working yet, the estrogen gave me bumpies where I didn;'t have them, but things tend to smooth out once I'm on P.

I would also say my blood values were "within normal limits" but on the lower end. No conventional doc would give me the time of day, it was only due to Murmur's posts and recognizing my symptoms in hers that I became determined to find a doc who didn't think I was bonkers.

I wish you all the best of luck, and let us know your progress!!

Nooshla.

Thanks so much for posting that, Nooshling! It gave me some insight. Aside from the acne, I have really horrible anxiety and hypoglycemia, I'm extremely irritable and the smallest annoyances make me so frustrated that I feel like I'm about to burst, and have had absolutely no menstrual periods since last year due to my LOW low estrogen/progesterone levels (even conventional doctors are disturbed by it, I was told I have the hormone levels of a menopausal woman.) I have such a huge problem with non-inflamed bumpies, too! I have my fair share of inflamed stuff but most if it is just non-inflamed clogged pores. I haven't noticed anything get any better, or any worse.

The only side effect I've noticed with the progesterone (which I've been on for about a week) is that sometimes I feel very lightheaded after I take it, and need to sleep it off. I take oral bio-identical progesterone and Estradiol instead of a trans-dermal method.

I just took a saliva test for a female hormone panel yesterday through Pharmasan Labs, which my holistic doctor is going to interpret for me once it comes back. I'm sure that it will reveal more than conventional blood tests, and I'll let you all know. Again, thanks for sharing!

I just took a saliva test for a female hormone panel yesterday through Pharmasan Labs, which my holistic doctor is going to interpret for me once it comes back. I'm sure that it will reveal more than conventional blood tests, and I'll let you all know. Again, thanks for sharing!

Is that a mail order test?

And hmmn. I often feel kind of hypoglycemic (weak, shaky, nauseous) between breakfast and lunch. And I eat a second breakfast. I wonder if that means anything.

Is that a mail order test?

 

And hmmn. I often feel kind of hypoglycemic (weak, shaky, nauseous) between breakfast and lunch. And I eat a second breakfast. I wonder if that means anything.

Well, I got the actual kit from my holistic doctor. There was some sort of protocol that I couldn't get that specific test from anyone but a licensed ND, but I was able to mail it to the company once I purchased it and completed it.

Thanks you guys/girls for sharing your experiences on this

For a man, do I just ask the doctor to check my testosterone, estrogen and progesterone through a blood test? how do you check for adrenals? is it through thyroid? I think I might have adrenal problems coz always fatigue and having probs sleeping.

Thanks in advance:)

Hey, dancedd. You can ask your doctor to run those tests for you, but if your doctors are anything like mine, they'll be really reluctant to do it unless you're having serious problems (IMO, acne IS a serious problem that indicates something's going on, but conventional docs are just too stupid most of the time.)

So definitely bring up your symptoms about fatigue, sleeping, and adrenals instead; that's more likely to get your docs to run a hormone panel if they're hardasses. ANYONE who has acne should have their thyroid AND adrenals tested, because that's what regulates alot of your body's sex hormones, besides the ovaries and testes. Adrenals are measured by the stress hormone called Cortisol. Thyroid is better measured by levels of FREE T3 and FREE T4, NOT TSH. TSH is only a pituitary hormone and is a lousy tool for figuring out if you have thyroid problems, don't let any doctors fool you. Visit this website, there's tons more on the proper treatment of adrenal fatigue/hypothyroidism: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

"Rarely is an acne patient suspected of thyroid deficiency. Yet, hypothyroidism is the root of many acne cases...two factors are responsible in clearing up serious skin ailments: improved blood circulation and return to normal metabolism due to thyroid supplementation. With reduced blood supply, the skin cells are oxygen and fuel deprived. Further, waste products of skin cells are not entirely removed - a sort of skin constipation." - Solved, the Riddle of Illness by Stephen E. Langer

It's funny that you brought this up, because I'm going to my doctor today to talk to her about adrenal fatigue/hypothyroidism in my case. I'll let you all know how it goes, Please PM me if you have any questions.

EDIT: I just got back from my doc appointment, once again, it just proves how closed-minded doctors are. She looked at me like I was a disease when I was trying to talk to her about how saliva tests are more effective and that I suspected thyroid and adrenal dysfunction. Time to move on to a private doctor, methinks.

Adrenal function is best tested with 4 saliva tests for cortisol over the course of a day, not just a single blood test (which is what you will get from most doctors, if they are willing to test cortisol at all). You can order the test kits from www.canaryclub.org or www.johnleemd.com.

I wanted to mention that I got a test result back today for testosterone - my FREE testosterone clocks in at 5.2 pg/ml. My understanding is that the optimal range for women is 1.4 to 2.2 pg/ml. So, I have really high testosterone! Does anyone have any tips or experience w/ this?

Hey alternativista! Yes, I saw you post about adrenals and hormones somewhere else...they did test it (a DHEA-S lab) and everything came back "normal," although that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

Hahah yes I've gained back all of my body fat and I've been at a consistent weight for the past two years (plus I had a period then...all up until this January!) So all of this is just mightily confusing

 

Thank-you Leah, good luck to you as well! I liked the toxicity post.

 

I just thought it was funny that I was reading Murmur's posts over the past few months and not knowing that I have exactly what she had - low progesterone and estrogen, yet the estrogen is higher than the progesterone level. I hope she comes back soon!

Hi Guys,

 

I'm a little late on the postings, but I just joined this site.

 

I was just prescribed a compounded progesterone cream from my doctor. I don't want to take it because I'm nervous. I have horrible acne (blackheads around my nose are terrible and horrible cystic acne around chin line)

 

I'm reading your posts about a natural progesterone cream...even though my doctor prescribed what he calls a "natural" cream, it truly isn't 100% natural and I'm nervous about it messing up my cycles, causing more acne, etc....basically what the side effects say.

 

Has anyone has success on prescribed creams? I took the saliva test and it said I was low on progesterone...EXTREMELY low.

 

Thanks for all your help!!!

Heyyy!! Just wanted to let you know I have the same skin you do!! Its really bad right now painful red pimples on my chin and rarely anywhere else but have blackheads all over my nose and oily skin. Ive been on every treatment out there birth control, antibiotics, anti-androgen (spironolactone), all topicals otc and perscription, natural supplements, vitamin b5(only thing that cleared me but came back with a vengance)...anyways nothing helped my skin and the hormonal treatments made skin MUCH worse. Just wanna know how youre doing on the progesterone?? cuz it seems like we have the same skin. I have the natural cream at home but im on my period right now so i cant start taking it yet. Please get back to me im desperate . I believe I have progesterone deficiency because I have PMS, Heavy bleeding, depression, insomnia, hypoglycemia(diagnosed by a GCT), anxiety, iritability, and probably more that I cant think of right now.

Hey heylovee, you're not the only one with this type of acnes, I got them too, always on the chin and nothing works...

vitamin b5(only thing that cleared me but came back with a vengance

just a question for the females who have used the progesterone cream.......ive been a member here for a bit, with a constant acne battle.....i was also looking at some options for natural breast enhancment when i came across pro-gest from emerita.

i heard good reviews about the breast enlargement by using it, but am also concerned about the acne aspect, has anyone used it and noticed any type of enlargement?

i know its kinda a weird question on the acne forum, but i see a few people who have been using for a while, any help would be great

thanks

I have a few questions, in case anyone knows or has read:

1. Does using progesterone cream affect getting pregnant (positively or negatively)?

2. Will this permanently change my hormone balance? (I just turned 24 years old

and don't want to completely mess my body up before my husband and I have children,

I may be wrong in suspecting a progesterone deficiency, etc.)

3. Once you start using the cream, how long do you have to keep using it in order

to get your acne controlled? Is this a lifetime plan.... or do you stop once your acne

clears and if it flares up again go another round of using the cream?

I am looking into buying a tube of Emerita Pro-Gest cream at my local health shop

to try it out.

Thanks for any responses.

Im wondering if you can take this cream with birth control? I am on yaz. the only thing that has helped my acne so far, besides the antibiotic that gave me a horrible rash all over my body. i dont like the antibiotic idea anyway. dont like being on BC either, but its the only thing that has helped me. i am getting a at home saliva hormone test. so then i will know what my problem is. i started breaking out when i was 24. im now 26. im also feeling drained from all the stress the acne has put me thru along with the emotional symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. so frustrating. i have to get this fixed. its making me so miserable. so is anyone on here who has used it on birth control or do they know if it can be used with birth control? also, does it decrease oily production????

I wanted to mention that I got a test result back today for testosterone - my FREE testosterone clocks in at 5.2 pg/ml. My understanding is that the optimal range for women is 1.4 to 2.2 pg/ml. So, I have really high testosterone! Does anyone have any tips or experience w/ this?

Well, I have been researching progesterone cream and many sites say that progesterone helps regulate androgens (testosterone) so I'm thinking it may help. I really would love to try this out.

Anyone have a similar experience/use it for androgen dominance?

hey!

I've struggled with acne since I was a teenager. Nothing worked for my skin (a variety of topicals, strong antibiotics, etc) until I went on the pill. I was on the pill for most of highschool and my skin was beautiful. After my first year of college, I decided to stop going on the pill after researching the awful long term effects of synthetic hormones (and seeing what they were doing to my sister). Unfortunately, my acne came back with a vengeance; a nasty, angry, belligerent vengeance. I went to a hollistic doctor who took a blood test. I'm waiting for the results (though I'm pretty confident my problem is estrogen dominance), but in the mean time I've started to take a progesterone cream (emerita Pro Gest) How long does it take for the progesterone cream to start working? I've also started to take a heavy dose of vitamin b5 - 6 grams a day.

side notes:

old acne topicals: brevoxyl wash, evoclin foam int he morning, plexion mask, then benzaclin at night with solodyne 45 mg at night.

new acne regiment (after being on bcp and literally just going to the derm again, this is my new regiment): finacea 15% in the morning, triaz 6% wash, plexion mask and acanya gel in the evening with 100 mg minocycline. (and the progesterone cream)

diet: paleo diet, with a few exceptions (I occasionally sneak in dairy)

I'll keep updating, so hopefully other people out there still perusing this website can see if this might help them!!

Useful article from Dr. Mercola on the benefits and use of bio-identical progesterone cream. Specifically about where best to apply it.

http://articles.merc...10918_SNL_Art_1

It gets stored in body fat and so you should apply it somewhere without much body fat, or so I'd read before. The article I read suggested the wrist. I figured my lower back would be better. Closer to it's destination.

The problem relates to the fact that progesterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to your skin will store itself in your fat tissue. When one initially uses the cream, there aren't any problems as the fat stores are very low. But as time goes on, the cream accumulates and contributes to disruptions in your adrenal hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone. I have learned that although progesterone cream is an enormously useful tool, it needs to be used very cautiously....

If you apply the cream to your mucous epithelial membranes that line your uterus and vagina you obtain a virtually ideal administration system. Not only is absorption through these membranes more complete than through your skin, but hormones absorbed through your vaginal membranes enter the very same pelvic plexus of veins that your ovaries normally empty into.

I think I may have a progesterone deficiency or perhaps PCOS and keep reading varying things on the internet about what's good and what isn't to up your levels...looks like I need to get more turmeric as I'm fresh out and perhaps invest in some vitex (chasteberry)? My mom has progesterone cream from Kaiser for her thyroid but I know she stopped using it recently. I also don't think I'd trust anything from Kaiser and would go with a more natural source like Alternativista mentioned in the above post.

Can you use the cream if on birth control?

*tear! Bio-identical progesterone cream didn't work well for me. I think it made my acne a bit worse, and my periods were HORRIBLE! Now I'm on Maca for hormone balance. I like my naturopath though, if anyone in L.A. wants a recommendation. Hormones need to be constantly tested, I wouldn't recommend a "hormone balance" regimen flying solo.

*tear! Bio-identical progesterone cream didn't work well for me. I think it made my acne a bit worse, and my periods were HORRIBLE! Now I'm on Maca for hormone balance. I like my naturopath though, if anyone in L.A. wants a recommendation. Hormones need to be constantly tested, I wouldn't recommend a "hormone balance" regimen flying solo.

 

ive heard so much about maca root and i mentioned it to my nutritionist but he kinda shrugged it off, what hormones does it affect?

im considering progesterone cream but of course im on the pill and unsure if i can ever use it on the pill. i think my nutritionist said the pattern of my acne was estrogen dominance but i dont remember, he mentioned progesterone being another factor. not sure which path to go down :/

*tear! Bio-identical progesterone cream didn't work well for me. I think it made my acne a bit worse, and my periods were HORRIBLE! Now I'm on Maca for hormone balance. I like my naturopath though, if anyone in L.A. wants a recommendation. Hormones need to be constantly tested, I wouldn't recommend a "hormone balance" regimen flying solo.

 

ive heard so much about maca root and i mentioned it to my nutritionist but he kinda shrugged it off, what hormones does it affect?

im considering progesterone cream but of course im on the pill and unsure if i can ever use it on the pill. i think my nutritionist said the pattern of my acne was estrogen dominance but i dont remember, he mentioned progesterone being another factor. not sure which path to go down :/

 

From my understanding, estrogen dominance is just progesterone deficiency. My naturopath described maca as "balancing everything out", and she decided to use this route because I've gone down several roads to balance my hormones, for acne and depression. I did a hormone test and my progesterone was low, as well as my DHEA, and my estrogen was normal. She tried putting me on DHEA plus a hormone balancing tincture (which she makes), but the DHEA broke me out with deep cysts, so I went off of that quick. The tincture didn't do much, so she put me on bio-identical progesterone (I think yam root derived). That didn't help either problem, so she's trying the maca... I've been on it for about 9 months. I get retested in January. I don't feel much different, so I'm not sure if it's helping. It sure hasn't helped my acne (diet changes have though), she did tell me my acne would get worse while we were trying to balance my hormones, so I'm surprised it's the answer to so many people.

If you aren't experiencing the positive effects of progesterone cream and are estrogen dominant, you aren't using enough of the cream. I would highly recommend going to Wray's website and doing some major research. Thanks to her, I upped my dose of the cream significantly and now have little no acne...and I've been fighting with it my entire life. Not only that, but I feel amazing.

I'm also taking her advice and supplementing Vitamin D, as deficiency in this vitamin is usually linked with progesterone deficiency. And also magnesium, which helps regulate hormones. I've never felt better and am sleeping like a log (I was getting up several times a night for the past three years or so).

/> http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/#axzz24nBxS9KA

Hey Polska -

I'm not sure if people who don't have a progesterone deficiency should take progesterone cream - it might make your acne worse if you already have a good supply of it! From the info I've gathered, progesterone cream should be used for either progesterone deficiency or to help with estrogen dominance. I hope that helps!

Murmur, I found this really great article on PCOS while doing research that I hope you find interesting: Dr. Erika - PCOS

 

Agree. Here are some classic symptoms of estrogen dominance. If you are not experiencing these, taking progesterone may worsen your acne.

Here are some typical complaints from patients having estrogen dominance:

- My breasts are swollen and getting bigger.

- I can't put on my rings on my fingers.

- I am more impatient now than ever.

- People tell me I am too bossy.

- I am getting cramps again like when I was younger.

- I just cannot have my period.

- I miss my periods regularly.

- My periods come irregularly.

- I get scared when I see large clots during my period.

- I have Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

- When I get a hug, my breast hurts.

- I have fibroids.

- I have endometriosis.

- I cannot fit into my shoes.

- I have a cyst in my breast.

- I feel tired all the time.

pheisty, how quickly did you see results? I just bought pro-gest by emerita and I think that is the best brand because it has USP progesterone and is paraben free. Each come in packets that say 1.3 grams of lotion and 20mg of progesterone. I checked out Wray's site and she suggests 100-200mg a day for acne patients. So essentially i would have to take 5-10 packets a day? These seems excessive but if you say that method works i will try it as most people i think only use low doses.