Is spotting a normal effect of the progesterone as I am 49 years of age?

Hi Catherine,

I began the progesterone cream on March 28/04. I could hardly wait for results. I was expecting magic and I received magic! Results were rapid. Within 2 to 3 days, I was sleeping like a baby which I had not done for so long. I was burning up at night. I also have not had any sign of my period for over a year. I have begun spotting much to my amazement. Is spotting a normal effect of the progesterone as I am 49 years of age?

I do feel good about myself now. I had felt ready to crawl into a cave for old, unatractive empty women. I thought my sexuality was dead and I was like as old boot. Presently, I am not sexually active but, I now feel like I want to make myself look better as I now ‘Laurie’ is still around. Growing old is difficult as I am still the same raven haired beauty inside. My body was betraying me. I became so envious of young girls although I always treat all women with respect and consideration. I have never been jealous of any woman. When I was young, ! I did not realize how quickly youth would be a memory.

Menopause is cruel to women. I think this phase of life should be referred to as Mentalpause. Progesterone cream brings harmony to my life.

Thank you,

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Progesterone does indeed appear to be central to a woman’s renewed health. We know that as soon as she starts rubbing progesterone cream onto her body there’s an incredible physiological reaction, particularly if she is progesterone deficient.

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 subsequent influence on the uterine lining.

Providing ALL unexplained bleeding has been investigated by a physician and found to be unremarkable, then there would be no reason for concern. Unless, of course, it’s heavy (haemorrhaging), constant, and/or causing pain that leaves you feeling distressed.

Many, many women report ‘wake up’ bleeding as being one of the first things they notice when they start progesterone. It represents positive activity in the body. The introduction of progesterone will often trigger the shedding of the uterine lining, and if this has thickened over time you may be faced with a rather uncomfortable couple of months as your body seeks to right itself.

As a rule, if you’ve not had a bleed for over 12 months then you’ve ‘officially’ entered menopause. At age 49, this may or may not be the case.

The shedding of the bloody endometrial lining is triggered primarily by the fall of progesterone levels twelve days or so after ovulation. When there’s a absence of progesterone, estrogen receptors down-regulate, becoming less responsive to estrogen. Supplement progesterone each month and you may have a bleed every now and then for as long as your estrogen levels remain high enough to stimulate proliferation of the uterus.

Laurie, I personally suggest you get under the care of a competent physician to make sure each and every incidence of bleeding is investigated thoroughly. If bleeding is found to be benign, well, then you just go with the flow (excuse the pun!) and let your body right itself … over time.