Natural progesterone symptoms and conditions

Thanks for the update Davenport 4! Today is day 3 following removal for me, and I have a few things to report. First, the morning after removal, I swear it felt like my back "unlocked." Felt good to be able to stretch again. I still have back pain, but have begun to stretch my back to help strengthen the muscles, and today, the pain is almost gone. I'm also still experiencing swelling, but it seems to be improving little by little. I continued spotting, but I would likely have had more spotting anyway since I was at day five of my period when it was removed. And I also have flu-like (well, more like hay fever) symptoms and constant headaches, still a bit fuzzy and lethargic, but definitely more energy. I've begun running up the hill with my dog every day. Still need the occasional nap, but have slept soundly throughout the nights. I've continued to do more research, and was frustrated when I kept reading about the benefits of progestin treatment...I hate being one of those who it doesn't seem to help. The synthetic progestin used in the Mirena is Levonorgestrel. All synthetic progestins produce side effects, including weight gain, headaches, and there's some concern about it's effect on bone density loss. Even Mirena acknowledges that they're not sure how or why it works. I feel like a lab rat. There are natural progesterone treatments available, and micronization (crystalizing progesterone) appears to help absorption; however, even natural progesterone has side effects. These are hormones...not nutritional supplements. From what I understand, some of us are more sensitive to hormonal imbalances by introduction of external hormones, and it's just a matter of finding a doctor who's willing to work through natural options. Think I'm going to try a diet high in natural progesterone (broccholi, for example) and exercise to combat this crazy time of life. Will keep checking back.

Thank God for the internet or I would have thought I was as crazy everyone else. I too have experienced the horrid hair loss and no one can tell me it is due to pregnancies as I have had thick hair following both my children's births and now 4 years after my last child was born I have had major hair loss (have had iud for 2 years), and all this time I have been having nightmares of waking up completely bald, and it's the Mirena. Have had terrible headaches and depression, mood swings too. I would rather be pregnant til I croak than keep this thing in one more day.

I agree with goodyearchic I too have had my Mirena out for 3 weeks now and I would like to say to anyone doubting whether they should get theirs removed- go for it. I feel much much better, my spots have gone, my mood swings and craziness have disappeared and I feel fantastic. Whether it is psychological or not I don't know all I do know is that having the Mirena was one of the worst decisions of my life.

Sarah,
I live in the US. I totally understand your fear about taking hormones. For me though, the natural progesterone has made a huge difference. I don't know how long you have been recovering from Yasmin, but rest assured that as time goes on, you will get better. Two years ago was when I was at my worst. I checked this forum several times a day. It made me feel so much better to hear from other women going through the same thing as me. I don't think I've checked this forum for over a year until today, if that's any indication of how much better I feel. You will too. I also take a multi vit., fish oil & magnesium too. I think they help as well. Do what works for you. Wishing you wellness!

-Tiffany

hi tclark,
your story sounds very similar to mine,are you in the states or the UK? it is so hard to find a doctor that specialises in hormonal disorders and especially one that will believe that yasmin has caused these problems in the first place! The natural progesterone sounds good but i am just sooo worried about messing with my hormones now i feel too scared to try anything in case i make my anxiety and panic attacks worse again,it was such hell the 1st time round.

sarah

IF YOU'VE EXPERIENCED ANXIETY WHILE ON YASMIN, PLEASE READ THIS:
I started Yasmin back in Feb. 2004, and started experiencing extreme anxiety & panic attacks a few months later. I didn't put two and two together until October 2004, when I finally discovered this website. I was so relieved to discover that Yasmin had caused my anxiety (also some depression, and some OCD tendencies), and that I was not just losing my mind. I stopped Yasmin immediately, thinking the problem would just go away, but unfortunately, it got worse before it got better. The first three months off Yasmin were hell on earth. The anxiety was unbearable. Then after three months, the anxiety got significantly better. (FYI - it takes 3 months for a BC pill to clear your system. Coincidence? I think not.) After that, I still had some anxiety, usually really severe around the time of my period. I tried anxiety programs, relaxation CDs, deep breathing, etc., some of which helped, but the anxiety never completely went away. I resorted to taking Xanax as needed. I know my story is very similar to many of yours, so I wanted to share with you what I've learned since then:
As time went on, my anxiety got better & better. I usually just had it around the time of my period, and in some social situations. Then, this past Spring, a dear friend of mine (who I met on the forum, by the way) found a doctor who did some tests on her hormone levels & discovered that she had no progesterone. He told her that her own hormone imbalance coupled with the hormones in Yasmin, caused her to have her anxiety problems on Yasmin. He prescribed her some NATURAL PROGESTERONE (not the synthetic stuff), and she started feeling so much better! Seeing her drastic improvement, and admitting to myself that after two years my anxiety wasn't completely gone, I went to the same doctor. He did some blood work & guess what? I had essentially no progesterone as well. He put me on natural progesterone too. I am taking 100 mg. in a capsule form each night. I cannot tell you the difference I have felt. I feel normal again. Think about it - the hormones in Yasmin obviously caused our anxiety. Doesn't it make sense that the problem is inheritently hormonal? I have been helped so much by the ladies on this website, so I wanted to share my story so that if just helps one person, it's worth it. Go to a doctor in your area who specializes in natural hormone management & see what your levels are. In my case & in my friend's case, our anxiety disorders have been the result of a hormone imbalance, one made significantly worse by Yasmin. I hate to see so many people resort to anti-depressants & anti-anxiety meds, when it may be that all they need is to balance their hormones. Best wishes to all of you. Please hang in there, life does get better!