Does Progesterone Cream Build Up Under the Skin?
by Helene Leonetti MD on 25/07/09 at 2:26 pm
Dr. Helene Leonetti Answers a Question about Progesterone Cream and Skin Absorption
Q: My doctor has me taking natural progesterone sublingual pills—twice a day because she says the progesterone cream can build up under the skin. What do you say to that?
A: Your doctor’s concern about natural progesterone building up under the skin is a good one, as in the past I have seen some colleagues use very high concentrations, as much as 5% or 10%, which amounts to 100 to 200 mg per dose! I will only use a 2% cream, which amounts to 20 mg per dose. Natural progesterone cream is very efficiently absorbed through the skin where it hitches a ride onto the red blood cell membrane and from there into the general circulation. This all occurs within a matter of minutes of applying the cream.
I found the higher doses to be disruptive to the body’s balance with estrogen. High doses of natural progesterone can also alter cortisol levels, as progesterone and cortisol compete for the same biochemical pathway.
Three reasons why I do not see high doses of natural progesterone cream build in the circulation:
1) Proper dosing,
2) Rotating sites (thin-skinned areas closest to where we blush such as the inner arms and upper chest),
3) Stopping its use for at least two days a month to down-regulate hormone receptor sites.
With these considerations, I have rarely seen the problem your doctor describes.
Kym
Feb 12th, 2010
What is your opinion on face creams that contain progesterone. The amount in them is not supposed to impact you at all. But my savilva tests were way over the top and my cortisol flatlined. And the only thing that could account for it was a face cream I use.
Barb Wills
Oct 11th, 2009
Dr. John Lee is a hero to so many of us. I was introduced to progesterone cream in 2002. It has totally changed my life. I had hot flashes for 20+ years, I was not a nice person, I had to have a hysterectomy due to such heavy periods, I could not lose the weight I needed to and I had a very difficult time with arthritis. All of this changed in a matter of months after starting the progesterone cream. It is amazing to think that “just some cream” could do so much for us. And now I sleep through the night. I will never be without this life-saving product. I feel sorry for the women who won’t try this product due to invalid claims against it.
Marian
Aug 27th, 2009
Hi,
I thought I would comment on the subject of Progesterone. I was going through a stressful time in my life (16 year old pregnant daughter) I was crying non-stop over everything, even seeing the American Flag flying in a parade. I went to my daughter’s psychiatrist with her and discussed my issues. I started taking Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant. This helped stopped all the crying and I even lost some weight. Then I started taking a progesterone/estrogen cream. Wow, what a difference. I feel wonderful and stresses like that don’t bother me anymore. However, I noticed if I forget to use it for awhile, the tears start coming again. Within one day of resuming the cream I am back on deck, feeling myself again.
My question is… I am post-menopausal, 64 years old. I had my tubes tied 24 years ago. Should I be taking progesterone by itself? I was told my OB/GYN that I should use a estrogen suppository for 2 weeks before any vaginal examinations to prevent trauma to my vaginal. wall.
I am greatful for the information I received on this website.
Thank you.
Marian
Michelle
Aug 12th, 2009
Hola Everyone,
I had my tubes tied 2004 and a year later I was dealing with excessive bleeding, night sweats, low libido, acne, anemia, foggy thinking, loss of memory, moodiness, painful intercourse and many more. Well, today after two years on this progesterone creme plus making healthy choices and adding wonderful supplements I corrected my problem (post tubal ligation syndrome) up to 90%! May God bless Dr. John Lee.
I have always been healthy but after messing with my hormones I do understand to not FIX something that does not need to be fix. Bummer for us women who have been fixed. BUT THERE IS HOPE!
TONI
Aug 7th, 2009
OH THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEFENSE OF THE PROGESTERONE HISTORY
I HAD SO MANY HORRID MONTHS AND YEARS OF A MILLION HOT FLASHES ….DIDNT SLEEP MORE THAN 2 HRS A NIGHT . CRAVED SUGAR AND SALT . DRANK OLIVE JUICE , CRIED ABOUT EVERYTHING SAID I WANT PREM-PRO TO MY OBGYN MADE ME CRAZIER OTHER WOMEN OBGYN SAID I NEEDED MALE HORMONES AND WANTED ME TO TAKE THEM FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER 2 MONTHS I SAID I’M OFF OF THEM OR I AM JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE . I NEVER FELT THAT BAD EVER BEFORE .. THEN MY CHIROPRACTOR POINTED TO A LITTLE TUBE OF PROGESTERONE AND SAID THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD IT WAS A 4OZ TUBE FOR 25 DOLLARS 15 + YRS AGO SEEMED VERY EXPENSIVE BUT I DID THE WHOLE TUBE AND FELT SOOOOOOOOOO GREAT
THEN I WAS BLESSED TO GO SEE DR LEE IN SACRAMENTO WITH A MILLION OTHERS WOMEN A LOT FOR SURE HE WAS SO GREAT AND LET WOMEN GO BACK THROUGH THE LINE TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION AND I MISS HIM SOOOOO MUCH I GOT ALL DR LEES NEWSLETTERS AND NEVER HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MENOPAUSE THANK GOD……… HE WAS SUCH A BLESSING TO SOOOOOO MANY PEOPLE MEN AND WOMEN
MY FRIEND AT THE HEALTH FOOD STORE SAID I AM SO MAD THAT HER DR COULDNT TELL HER THAT A LITTLE DAB OF PROGESTERONE WOULD SAVE HER FROM YELLING AT HER HUSBAND AND SONS FOR SO MANY YEARS SHE’S ON IT NOW AND IS FEELING WONDERFUL . CLIENTS I WORKED WORKED WITH GOT NOTICABLY WONDERFUL AND DIDN’T FIGHT ME OR THROW THE CLOTHES ALL OVER HER ROOM OR EAT A WHOLE PAN OF BROWNIES HEEHEHE I CAN RELATE .
ANY WAY I LOVE THIS SITE AND I PROMOTE THE PROGESTERONE TO EVERYONE TOO MANY WOMEN HAVE THE HORMONAL ATTITUDE AND WONT TRY IT …I HAVE A NEW ONE ON IT AND NOW SHE FEELS GOOD AND IS NOT ORDERING A SECOND ONE SO I TALKED TO HER FAMILY ABOUT IF SHE QUITS OR SLOWS DOWN SHE WILL FEEL CRUMMY AGAIN AND WILL HAVE TO GET IT BUILT UP IN HER BODY AGAIN EVEN THOUGH SHE BLAMING HER SADNESS ON HER SON MOVING AWAY I SAY ITS THE PROGESTERONE MISSING LIKE YOUR LETTER SAID
KEEP IT UP
TONI PERZICHILLI
Lyn
Aug 3rd, 2009
I have missed my period for 3 months now. I am 50 years young. I was having severe hot flashes every 30 minutes or so. I started using the Progesterone cream once a day, and my hot flashes are completely gone after only a few days of using it. I’m amazed.
annie
Jul 29th, 2009
i also use progesterone and have been using it daily since july of 2004. i rub on two of the capsules in the morning and two in the evening. i alternate sides — either my right thigh or the left thigh. sometimes i use my stomach.
all the horrible symptoms i had been having almost immediately went away when i started using the progesterone.
an interesting ’side effect,’ if one can call it that — before i started the progesterone my mammograms showed calcium deposits in one breast. starting with the mammogram the year after i started the progesterone — apparently nothing now shows on the mammogram.
Katy
Jul 28th, 2009
Hi. All the talk is about this new anit-aging supplement Resversatal (spelling wrong) Anyway, I tried it and it totally interfered with my progesterone. I researched it and it is made from a phyto-estrogen. How will taking a phyto-estrogen effect men? They are really pushing this as a wonder supplement. I couldn’t make it two weeks without having serious Estrogen issues. Wow, what would this do to woman on Birth Control. Any insight on this. I know so many people jumping on this as Oprah’s Dr. Oz recommends. hmmm?
Jane Groos
Jul 28th, 2009
I have a question. I am a 57 year old female on 100 mcg Levothyroxin daily and wonder if taking progesterone orally or by cream would be better for me. I have done both but am not taking any biodentical hormones at this time. I thought I read that I may not absorb progesterone well on hypothyroid medication. Is that true? I have migraines and was asked by family physicians to stop them to see if the headaches would get better. They have not so would like to start with the hormones once again. I am experiencing menopausal symptoms which are bothersome and wonder which progesterone (orally or cream) might be best for me? Thank you for any help you can give me.
Claire Stent
Jul 28th, 2009
Hello
I too have been concerned about the build up of the cream under the skin (I use ProGest) and stopped using it for a month as I felt all my symptoms come back, including the stress and anxiety and extraordinary bloating and feeling very low and tearful. I had only been using a flat small scoop (the one that is supplied with the ProGest) and realised I wasn’t using enough. So I use a small scoop morning and evening and have gone back to feeling so much calmer and have a sense of wellbeing it’s almost as if a switch has gone off and I’ve resorted to feeling normal again.
The areas I use the cream on are neck (front and back), palms of the hands, inner arms and/or wrists, face and chest/breasts and make sure I don’t use the same area for at least 24 hours.
Reading Dr Lee/Dr Hanley’s book on What the Doctor May Not Tell You About Pre-Menopause again, I realise that doing too much (or feeling you have to and being a perfectionist) and letting stress get to you is, I’m sure, the main reason our hormones have gone out of balance. Doing yoga, Tai Chi, meditation and allowing yourself some ‘me time’ is the most important way to keep sane and get your energy and life back again otherwise you’re just trying to win a losing battle and find even relationships with people on all levels a constant struggle. Prioritising what’s important in life and being with positive people and pushing away negativity goes a long way to getting back on tract.