compounded BiEst and progesterone cream

Anyone on these two compounding creams? Does anyone out there know (with no ovaries) do you really need progesterone cream? For the last year and a half, I've been trying to find a balance. Before my hyst, very rare acne, then bad again right after surgery. No one has been able to tell me what exactly you need to end the acne once and for all. I am wondering if I don't need the progesterone cream? Help please.

HI tahil

I use Bi-est and progesterone cream. Some women do need progesterone and some women do not need it. I personally can not live without my progesterone. It gets rid of my anxiety and helps me sleep.

Progesterone in and by itself I do not believe would be the cause of your acne. Rather an imbalance of your hormones.

There could be a few things going on. Is it possible you're getting too much progesterone combined with not enough estrogen? That might explain the acne. Are you experiencing any other symptoms?

Many women are able to produce enough testosterone when they have an adequate supply of progesterone. So while it may not be the progesterone itself causing the acne, it could be that your getting too much progesterone which is converting to testosterone and causing the acne.

Have you ever tried either lowering your dose of progesterone or stopped it all together? You may be one of the women that can only tolerate a small amount of progesterone.

The is a very complex place to be and sometimes it's not fun. Trial and error sometimes is the only way to find balance.

I'm taking a very small amount twice a day of the progsterone and a lot more of the estrogen. My testosterone level was fine last time checked. I thought I felt better on both also, but I'm sick of the cystic acne, so maybe should try stopping it. I was hoping after a year and a half of fighting it, I would balance out, but I'm not yet. I'm a mess, I guess. I'll try what you suggested. Thanks.

HI Tani

Is your progesterone in a cream or capsule? What milligram of estrogen and progesterone are you using?
Another thing may be to just try and use the progesterone once a day.

When I first started my compounds I really had to play around with the dose and the best time of day to use them. I found for me...it is best to use my Bi-est twice a day and my progesterone only at night. I use my testosterone every other day.

It was very helpful to keep a journal of my symptoms and what dose I was using. Then I had to start with only estrogen first and monitor which symptoms improved and which symptoms didn't. I noticed I still struggled with anxiety, sleeping problems and low libido and low energy. I then started using the progesterone and found a dose that relieved everything but the energy and libido. I then added in testosterone and found a dose that did not give me symptoms of too much but helped with my energy.

Hang in there. It just takes trial and error and alot of patience

Thank you for your help. I'm on Biest 40/60 2 mg/ml 2-5 lines twice a day, and progesterone 3% cream 1-3 twice a day. I didn't need any testosterone. Like you, no energy -- being depressed about the whole doesn't help that, I know, but I can't seem to help it. I do take EFAs, lots of vitamins, evening primrose also. I'll do some experimentation with the progesterone -- perhaps getting too much of it. Just noticed so many changes in a year and a half and none of them are for the better. I made a huge mistake in having surgery.
THANKS.

Just a real quick post, it may be what you are eating that is making for bad acne, too. I know that whenever I eat nuts I am guaranteed to get a few pimples in the next day or two.

Just a thought,
Susie

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

I'm really confused about all this HRT. after reading tahil's post I see you had everything removed, and still use progesterone, it's just that after my SAH/BSO I was told I only needed estrogen as I had no uterus and progesterone was only used to prevent thickening of the womb.
But on the other hand I seem to be experiencing a lot of symptoms of lack of progesterone and was thinking of talking to my doc about this.
Have you gone with out progesterone at all and if so did your symptoms get worse?
Conyers

I started out only on the Climara patch (estrogen only) and had horrible cystic acne on the chin. I am on both progesterone and estrogen now because that is what was recommended to me by the physicians who do the compounding. We had it before ( the progesterone -- is the theory) and so we need it still even if we don't have a uterus. Other physicians would disagree with that, as they have been taught to go with just estrogen. However, after being on both Biest and progesterone creams, my thyroid level evened out and I felt better. My cystic acne is not as bad, but I believe I may still have it because the hormones aren't quite in balance yet. I'm not sure on this, but I have to keep trying. Hope this answers your question. I just hope I get balanced soon because it's been a looooonnnnggg road...