Dr. Leonetti Responds to Reader Questions and Comments
by Helene Leonetti MD on 24/08/09 at 3:45 pm
From Lyn
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. –Lyn
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Lyn
Ah, yes, dear Lyn, it is truly magic, and real magic at that! Continue with remembering to stop for a few days at month’s end to down-regulate the hormones; and most importantly, nurture yourself in every way, by tending to your healing foods, your exercise, and your emotional/spiritual practices: prayer, meditation, yoga. Hugs, Helene B. Leonetti MD
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From Katy
Hi. All the talk is about this new anit-aging supplement resveratrol. 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?
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Katy
I find your reaction curious, and wonder if it could be attributed to other factors. Yes, resveratrol is a phytonutrient, perhaps can even be called a phytoestrogen, as are red clover, lentils, licorice, and pomegranate. But I am of the understanding that it has both agonist (pro-estrogen) and antagonist (against-estrogen) properties which essentially are neutral. I marvel at how once pronounced as the miracle anti-aging nutrient, many entrepreneurs rally to promote their various products. Like everything, there are good quality preparations and not-so-good quality preparations.
For several years, I have taken Longevinex resveratrol, because I am very impressed with the science that this company provides. Perhaps the anti-aging qualities of red wine can be explained by the theory that as we age, the calcium, copper, and iron stores in our bodies are no longer needed for growth, and actually become oxidative, or damaging to our cells. Because Longevinex adds gentle chelators to their capsule (quercitin and ferulic acid) these minerals can be bound so as not to cause undue stress to our bodies. This is a theory, but plausible, so I wanted to share it with you.
Dr. Oz recently stated on national TV that he does not endorse any supplements and to avoid any companies that claim he does, or that include his photo with their products.
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From Michelle
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 cream, 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 fixed. Bummer for us women who have been fixed. But there is hope!
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Michelle
A blessing that you have recovered. I am of the belief that we learn lessons, and move on. Though it was a painful two years until you empowered yourself with knowledge, it nonetheless gave you wisdom that now you can pay forward to the many women whose lives you touch. I was reviewing the amazing work that Dr. Lee did in revealing our very own literature to us as physicians, and continually quote from a study he found in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1979, (54:189-192) that women who have their tubes tied produce 50% less progesterone than women not sterilized. The work goes on. And slowly, as we speak the truth of valid studies instead of pharmaceutical dogma, the paradigm will shift and we will begin seeing a more wellness-inspired profession.
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From Jane
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 bioidentical 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.
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Jane
Because I have been so positively influenced by Dr. John Lee’s teaching and philosophy, I am prejudiced for the use of progesterone transdermal cream rather than oral, the latter converting almost 90% to metabolic byproducts not truly desired, because they make us sleepy, dizzy, flaky. And remember, our poor livers are trying valiantly to detoxify all of the chemicals ingested and inhaled from our environment.
My experience is often that one’s thyroid becomes more efficient when we use progesterone, and you can often have your dose lowered. Remember, our thyroid needs many cofactors to work optimally: selenium, zinc, iron, iodine, and vitamin D is a big one. Little known is that if the vitamin D level is lower than 50 (50-90 optimal range), the T4 which is the inactive levothyroxin cannot convert to the bioactive T3. Nor does it work well if ferritin levels are lower than 30 or greater than 100, so I regularly measure those levels. Adding sea vegetables (kelp, kombu) to your diet also assists thyroid health. And remember, metaphysically, the thyroid is in the area of the fifth chakra, or energy center, and it represents speaking your truth.
Renae
Nov 19th, 2009
I am 54 , I seem to be very sensitive to progesterone. I retain fluid and gain weight. several years ago another doctor had me on high doses of progesterone and estrogen and many other supplements. He was so expensive – I dropped over $10,000 working with him. ridiculous. and after working with him I ended up 20 pounds heavier. my progesterone levels were sky high! I have done no hormones for over a year now -finially got progesterone levels back down on saliva test – found another dr. to work with and recent saliva testing showed low estrogen and low progesterone. I tried doing just a little progest. by itself – and gained 5 pounds in 5 days. I guess it was extreme fluid retention. but estrogen deficiency symptoms are really bothering me (level was .9) – so she prescribed .025 vivelle dot patch, and said do as much progesterone as tolerated. my question is- what is minimum amount of progesterone to protect uterus?? with this small amt. of estrogen? (I am postmenopausal ) kind of scared to do estrogen without doing some progesterone.
thanks,
Renae
Susan
Oct 12th, 2009
I am 51 and I have been using progesterone cream now for 10 yrs. It automatically took away my anxiety, night sweats and hot flashes, mood swings. I never had a problem with intercourse until a yr. ago. I have no libido, and painful intercourse. It’s been frustrating for me and my husband. I tried a little estrogen cream and it didn’t help. Any suggestions?
I can’t afford the hormone blood tests; way too expensive. So I’m at a loss here. I eat well as Dr. Lee suggested in his book. I work out every day. Help me..
Penny
Oct 11th, 2009
I am 53 years old and went through menopause when I was 45.Had my tubes tiedwhen I was 31,I have had no hot flashes,no night sweats ever,but Ihave had vaginal dryness,low lobido,irritability,
depression,heart palpitations,headaches when stressed,anxiety,I was wondering if I need progesterone cream,I have never taken HRT,my doctor said if I wasn’t haveing hot flashes I don’t need them.I agree with that. Will I start bleeding again if I take the progesterone cream or do I need it? I am so confused. Thank You
Anne
Oct 11th, 2009
When I was 49 I realized it was taking me longer and longer to fall asleep, and when I was reached 58, I couldn’t fall asleep at all, and now, 10 years later I am unable to fall asleep, don’t feel tired at night, and have to take something in order to fall asleep.
I do point out though…..I am not like about 50% of my postmenopausal friends who DO fall asleep but awaken in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep. Or is mine just a worst condition of the same problem ?
In all other respects, I am the healthiest 68 year old you’re ever likely to meet. And since this all occurred during pre and post menopause, I figure it HAS to be hormonal, but the progesterone cream I took several years ago did nothing. Have you an explanation for my every night of non-sleep ?
Edwina Purssell
Oct 11th, 2009
Hi, Just read about progestrone cream,I have had breast cancer and had my tubes tied. should I use the cream or not. I am on arimidex. thank you for any answers
andrae
Sep 9th, 2009
I have used progesterone troches for a long time and have recently gone off them. I have found no difference in the way I feel except I am finding it easier to keep my weight down. I assume that the benefits are ones I am not aware of and am considering going onto a cream. I have difficulty finding a doctor to prescribe natural progesterone but did find a site in Texas advertising bio identical hormones in cream form without a doctors prescription who will ship here to Australia. Does anyone know if these products are the real deal?
Kellie Herman
Sep 2nd, 2009
I am a bit confused. I used Progesterone cream from Dr Lee years ago and it was a huge help with excessive bleeding that sometimes happens to women BEFORE the menopause symptoms arrive. Once they did, the cream no longer helped so I went many years with NOTHING. Now I am 53 and haven’t had a period in well over a year and the symptoms are HORRIBLE, so I have gone on bioidentical hormones. (nervously, but the symptoms out weigh the risk) My question in reading the above letters to the Dr. is this……ARE YOU SAYING THESE SYMPTOMS COULD BE UNDER CONTROL JUST USING THE PROGESTERONE CREAM?
Sheila
Aug 29th, 2009
I have been experiencing menopausal symptoms (very long cycles) and thought I would try the progesterone cream for some mood swings and insomnia problems. Every time I use the cream, I start getting symptoms of having a cycle again. I do not want to do anything to prolong menopause. Is it possible that the progesterone cream prolongs menopause while relieving symptoms?
Melani
Aug 28th, 2009
I have been in menopause for approximately 2 years now. I turned 50 this year. My symptoms are common for menopause but the hot flashes, low libido, weight gain and severe insomnia effect me most. I have been desperately searching for a healthy, safe solution to qwelling my symptoms but am very hesitant to use estrogen replacement because I lost my mother to Breast Cancer. She was diagnosed at age 46…died at 51. She was pre-menopausal when diagnosed. I hear positive remarks about progesterone cream and wonder if it would be a safe solution for me. I’m already at a 50% risk for Breast Cancer, but my health presently isn’t optimal anyway! So I figure maybe the benefits of progesterone could outweigh the risks. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Katy
Aug 27th, 2009
Hi Dr. Leonetti and thanks for the response above. I too am a bit surprised by my reaction to the resversatol. Let me explain, until I started progesterone about 4 years ago I was having monthly yeast infections (yes monthly). After going to doctor after doctor and telling them my problem and being dismissed and told to try a new cream, I did research that led me to natural progesterone. Once started, i never had another “monthy” yeast infection…that is until i recently tried the Resversatol. Boom on the 18 day of my cycle full blown. I stopped it and continued the progesterone which cleared it up until my period. I’ve had normal cycles again since. Like you, I do find it odd that without progesterone i get a yeast infection and wonder if this is normal. I can’t find a doctor who takes my problem serious. they just want me to (stop the progesterone) bring on the yeast infection so they can see it and give me a new prescription cream for it. No thanks. I figured it was a hormone issue years ago sitting in the docs office and reading a brochure about birth control and it’s side effects. I was not on birth control, but i was having yeast infections. I decided i must be estrogen dominant, got the progesterone cream and never had another infection. I am concerned that without progesterone i get this affliction. What should i do, I’m 47 and have been on progesterone for 4 years.