Breakthrough Bleeding and Natural Progesterone
It is quite common when a woman first starts progesterone to have a breakthrough bleed and the appearance of another period. This is often the result of cell receptor ‘wake up’ and influence on the uterine lining and receptor cells. Such activity can bring on a bleed.
Women need not be concerned about this unless it is heavy (haemorrhaging), constant, and/or causing pain that leaves you feeling concerned.
Many, many women report ‘wake up’ bleeding as being one of the first things that may happen when they start progesterone. It represents positive activity in the body.
The Natural-Progesterone-Advisory-Network.com website refers to this ‘first’ bleed as the ‘pretend’ period, indicating the positive impact and presence of natural progesterone.
However, we do hear from women who report too many irregular breakthrough bleeds. They cannot establish a regular cycle and are still feeling quite estrogen dominant with associated symptoms.
Our experience has led us to believe that often unsuitable creams can do this. We suggest that if there is more than one breakthrough bleed and your period becomes erratic rather than stabilising within a four month period, then you seriously need to reassess your cream base.
Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen on the uterus and it is necessary to produce regular periods, so if these periods are not being regulated, we suspect there is something wrong with your progesterone cream. If in doubt, stop the cream for a month before you try another brand (if all you prior tests are negative, showing no signs of fibroids, etc).
Incorporate phytoestrogens into your diet, and ALWAYS make sure your GP investigates thoroughly to rule out anything sinister.
Change in menstrual cycles
Menstrual cycles have been known to lengthen or shorten while on progesterone treatment. We generalise with women and state that as long as there is a regular cycle occurring with a rhythmic break from cream, then your periods will come and go according to your unique profile, varying slightly by a day or two, here and there.
Stopping progesterone cream is not necessarily going to bring on a period if it’s not ready to come. However, if your body is primed for a period, it will arrive within 24-36 hrs. Breaks are important - it keeps your cycle mimicking nature, and allows the receptors to up-regulate (refresh).
For women who no longer ovulate or perhaps their periods are winding down, or they are battling severe diseases like painful endometriosis, severe migraines and/or PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome, or fibroids, need to use higher doses or stay on cream longer.
These high doses will not down regulate providing you break from cream each month to stimulate cell receptors and you body is, in fact, utilising these levels. If you do not take even short breaks (3 days minimum) it will render progesterone’s work in the body ineffective.
