Comments on: Dr. Leonetti Responds to Reader Questions and Comments

By: Monica Beaubouef

Monica Beaubouef — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:41:45 +0000

I have a question. I am 44 yrs old and have fibrocystic breasts. I have noticed “lumps and bumps” in my breasts since my late twenties. Recenlty, I had my hormones tested and was prescribed bioidentical progesterone cream and testosterone cream as both of those hormone levels were extremely low. I have been taking the creams as prescribed for almost 2 months now, and in the last few weeks my breasts are literally full of marbles! (lumps). I have never experienced so many lumps at one time. I cannot even count the number of lumps as there are so many and some of them feel like “clusters of lumps” together. I have been reading on progesterone cream and everything I have found suggests that the progesterone will help fibrocystic breasts, not make it worse? My question is, will this resolve itself over time or maybe my dose is not strong enough? If you have any information or suggestion please share! The lumps are not painful at all (right now) and they began getting worse about a week before my menstrual cycle, which I am on now. I am obviously quite alarmed and hope to hear back soon.

Thanks,
Monica

By: Elinor

Elinor — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:05:47 +0000

Dear Dr. Leonetti,
I learned of Dr. Lee a long time ago and used natural progesterone cream for many years with good results, then eventually with seemingly no results. I stopped using it in 1995. In 1997 I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and the doctor performed thyroid ablation, meaning I have to take thyroid hormone for the rest of my life. After a full hysterectomy in 2000, the doctors tried to put me on hormone replacements but it made me feel just awful so the doctor agreed that I should stop. I also started having the dryness and lower libido and am also concerned about osteoporosis from the synthetic thyroid hormone use. I tried using progesterone cream again a few years ago but it made me get hot flashes and irritability. But I am wondering if I am ruining my bones, and should I look into just lower dosing of the progesterone cream? I am skeptical about taking calcium supplements too, although my doctor says I should, and I would like your opinion on that if possible. Thank you so much!

By: Renae

Renae — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:57:18 +0000

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

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:29:09 +0000

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..

By: Penny

Penny — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:51:44 +0000

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

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:05:00 +0000

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 ?

By: Edwina Purssell

Edwina Purssell — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:45:41 +0000

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

By: andrae

andrae — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:02:18 +0000

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?

By: Kellie Herman

Kellie Herman — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:47:11 +0000

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?

By: Sheila

Sheila — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:20:49 +0000

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?