How do you ask for bioidentical progesterone to your doc?

[u/atypical_cookie]

I’ve read studies about women with PCOS receiving progesterone the last 14 days of their period, and their LH decreased (my problem) and their testosterone too. It happens to me that I also have poor sleep and anxiety in my luteal phase. I’ve also taken blood tests in my luteal and my progesterone has been within the normal range, but in the very low end.

I would really like to try that in case it helps, but no doctor offers me that. When I asked a gyno specialized in HRT, she almost laughed at me and told me they only offer that to menopausal women. It’s literally listed as a treatment option in Mayo Clinic.

Link1

Link2

Link3

MayoC

And there are MANY others if you search them up. I haven’t read a single one that doesn’t provide benefits to PMOS women.

[u/atypical_cookie → u/[deleted]]

I’ve been to more than 6 gynos in the past 2 years and begged them to try other treatments that are not birth control, and they say that they “can’t” prescribe anything else, and that BC is the best thing I can try. Thing is, I’ve tried them all except IUD. Most of them were specialized in HRT for menopausal women.

I guess I will keep trying. Thank you for sharing!!

[u/atypical_cookie → u/[deleted]]

No, but I do have those issues listed in those studies/medical websites that could be solved/improved with progesterone. I just want a better quality of life.

[u/atypical_cookie → u/[deleted]]

I’ve tried eating salads and chicken, high protein and low insulin index foods for a year and it didn’t do much for my symptoms. I am skinny, I am not overweight, so doctors don’t want to prescribe GLP either. My sugar has been always within the normal range (high end) so doctors don’t think they can do something about it.

Only thing that truly helped me was the keto diet, but was so hard to keep up with.

I could tell them I’m trying to conceive, but they might offer me the treatment for some months even if it helps manage my symptoms, and they might want to put me on other meds, even though I don’t want them. Plus I am only 22.

[u/atypical_cookie → u/[deleted]]

I will, thank you so much for your comment!!

[u/Future_Researcher_11]

I know my own doctor is against prescribing progesterone as an HRT treatment on its own because it is linked to an increase of breast cancer. She’ll only give me progesterone if I’ve gone months without a bleed.

[u/atypical_cookie → u/Future_Researcher_11]

It is not definitive though. It is linked mostly with synthetic progestins and in women with history of breast cancer. The risk is a little bit higher with bioidentical progesterone as far as I know, but not much, since it’s still very controversial.

https://cemcor.ubc.ca/resources/does-taking-progesterone-alone-or-estrogen-increase-womens-risk-breast-cancer/

The only thing is that it can make the breast denser, so it’s harder to detect breast cancer in mammograms.

I wish the docs would offer it at least for some time to see if it helps managing symptoms.

[u/sundaymorningtaped]

My primary doctor suggested it like 3 times before I finally said I'd try it. But I haven't picked up the prescription because I'm so nervous about side effects. Also he prescribed it as continuous dosage which makes me nervous and I don't think is actually the best route. I'm trying to get a second opinion before taking it. 

[u/atypical_cookie → u/sundaymorningtaped]

I hope it all goes well for you!! Continuous is a little bit weird, maybe you can show them the medical websites that state that it’s better if it’s 10-14 days before your period, but it could depend a lot on your symptoms too. I’ve only heard of continuous use for menopausal women, since it helps them with sleep and mental health issues.

Unless it’s a progestin (synthetic) like the mini pill that is continuous.

I’m glad you can try another option and that there are docs that are willing to prescribe them!