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Period wouldn't stop, now it hasn't started
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carpetcrawler5 posted:
I am 50 years old and recently have been having menopausal symptoms. The first was I had a two-day period and then it stopped, and I had a one-hour hot flash that was weird because I had never had one before, and then it went away after I lay down for awhile. Then I didn't have a period for 6 weeks. Then I finally got my period and it wouldn't end. Not heavy flow, but it lasted almost a month. So I went to my Ob/gyn and she said the best thing to do is to take some natural progesterone. So I went to the pharmacy and got them, and after a couple of days my period ended. I was trying to figure out what the schedule was for taking them and my doctor said something about "wait until your next period starts, and then start taking them again (for ten days). But my period hasn't started yet and is around 3 weeks late. I still have the progesterone pills, but I haven't taken them because my period never came. So my question is, has anyone else had this happen and what did you do or what did your period do. Will it start again and not stop? The dr said that may have been because the blood was collecting up for too long.

Also I have progesterone cream, but I can't figure out what to take it for. I get migraines, which have worsened since this started, but progesterone doesn't do anything for them. I have soy estrogen aside if I get another hot flash, but my mom thinks I shouldn't take ANY hormones except if I get another period that won't end. I should add that my mom had a severe bleeding problem that wouldn't stop when she was going thru menopause, but hers was way worse and they had to give her a Depo Provera shot as an emergency hormone to stop the bleeding. First of all I don't ever want to take that shot again because it made my headaches worse.

Also is progesterone cream that you buy at the store able to stop your period also? Kinda doubt it but maybe someone has an answer for that too. Thanx I'm usually on the migraine board answering questions but this is new for me.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Period wouldn't stop, now it hasn't startedI am 50 years old and recently have been having menopausal symptoms. The first was I had a two-day period and then it stopped, and I had a one-hour hot flash that was weird because I had never had one before, and then it went away after I lay down for awhile. Then I didn't have a period for 6 weeks. Then I finally got my period and it wouldn't end. Not heavy flow, but it lasted almost a month. So I went to my Ob/gyn and she said the best thing to do is to take some natural progesterone. So I went to the pharmacy and got them, and after a couple of days my period ended. I was trying to figure out what the schedule was for taking them and my doctor said something about "wait until your next period starts, and then start taking them again (for ten days). But my period hasn't started yet and is around 3 weeks late. I still have the progesterone pills, but I haven't taken them because my period never came. So my question is, has anyone else had this happen and what did you do or what did your period do. Will it start again and not stop? The dr said that may have been because the blood was collecting up for too long.<br /> <br />Also I have progesterone cream, but I can't figure out what to take it for. I get migraines, which have worsened since this started, but progesterone doesn't do anything for them. I have soy estrogen aside if I get another hot flash, but my mom thinks I shouldn't take ANY hormones except if I get another period that won't end. I should add that my mom had a severe bleeding problem that wouldn't stop when she was going thru menopause, but hers was way worse and they had to give her a Depo Provera shot as an emergency hormone to stop the bleeding. First of all I don't ever want to take that shot again because it made my headaches worse.<br /> <br />Also is progesterone cream that you buy at the store able to stop your period also? Kinda doubt it but maybe someone has an answer for that too. Thanx I'm usually on the migraine board answering questions but this is new for me.
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:
Dear Carpetcrawler5,
Certainly sounds like you are perimenopausal. What is going on is that you are not ovulating well, or regularly. When you ovulate properly, you make a good amount of progesterone, which controls the flow of the lining of the uterus. (One of my menopause professor friends calls progesterone the "lawnmower" of the uterus.) Anyhow, with a decrease in progesterone production, you can have periods not start, or keep on going way too long. If someone wants to use natural progesterone, the only one that is FDA regulated (of the pills) is Prometrium (you can also get a vaginal cream called Crinone). If someone is late for a period, I usually have her take Prometrium, 200 mg tablets (at night, as it can make you tired) for 10 or 12 days. That usually tricks the lining of your uterus into thinking you ovulated well; and will lead to a period.
Anyhow, Prometrium and Crinone are regulated, and work well for many women.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:Period wouldn't stop, now it hasn't startedDear Carpetcrawler5,<br />Certainly sounds like you are perimenopausal. What is going on is that you are not ovulating well, or regularly. When you ovulate properly, you make a good amount of progesterone, which controls the flow of the lining of the uterus. (One of my menopause professor friends calls progesterone the "lawnmower" of the uterus.) Anyhow, with a decrease in progesterone production, you can have periods not start, or keep on going way too long. If someone wants to use natural progesterone, the only one that is FDA regulated (of the pills) is Prometrium (you can also get a vaginal cream called Crinone). If someone is late for a period, I usually have her take Prometrium, 200 mg tablets (at night, as it can make you tired) for 10 or 12 days. That usually tricks the lining of your uterus into thinking you ovulated well; and will lead to a period.<br />Anyhow, Prometrium and Crinone are regulated, and work well for many women.<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
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carpetcrawler5 replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
thanks i took progesterone prescribed by my dr and it regulated my periods.
Report This| Share this:Period wouldn't stop, now it hasn't startedthanks i took progesterone prescribed by my dr and it regulated my periods.
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