Progesterone and fluid retention-does it help?

Hello all,

I have been on the Vivelle Dot for over a year with good results.

Over the last couple of weeks though, I have been having pain in my feet and hands and have noticed that I am suddenly starting to retain alot of fluid.

The compounding pharmacist that came to speak at an inservice said that progesterone is a natural dieuretic. He also mentioned that it works well with stimulating the thyroid, which can become sluggish after losing your ovaries. He is a big fan of Dr. Lee's book, which I have read.

Was just wondering if any of you using compounded progesterone cream have felt it helpful in this area.
I have to question this, as I always bloated before my period, when your progesterone levels are the highest. And, how long does it take it to kick in? I would rather try this than a dieuretic pill.

Thanks for any input

Sweetpea

Hi! I tried prometrium - 100mg at bedtime - to help with fluid retention. Dr. wasn't too keen on the idea but I suggested it to him.( He wanted me on a water pill.) I tried it for 6 weeks. Differences I found were in my hair and sleep. My hair looked awesome and I found that I slept like a baby within 30 minutes of taking it - no hot flashes in the night, etc. But I was nauseous every morning and had terrible headaches. As for fluid retention, it did very little, if anything at all. What it did do though, was practically stop my bowels!!! I ended up going to ask the opinion of my gp about 5 weeks in and he recommended that I stop the progestrone - that the water pill was a much better alternative. I have used the water pill a few times now and it has helped a bit. I don't need to use it daily so I don't mind. I guess I am one of those people who cannot tolerate progestrone as my bowels started functionally 2 days after stopping it, my headaches disappeared as did my nausea. Good luck .

Hi Sweetpea,

The need for progesterone will vary with each individual. For some women, their adrenal glands produce all they need. Other women need help with supplementation.

Water retention can be a symptom of too much estrogen. It can also be a sign of not enough progesterone. Have you looked at the Too Much, Too Little list to see if you have any other symptoms?

When I was using a patch, I started swelling and the progesterone did reverse it for me fairly quickly. It does have a diuretic affect to it. What does your Dr say? While at this time there can be a tendancy to assume that hormones are at fault, there is always a slight chance that there is another reason for the swelling. You might want to call your Dr and see what he says, especially if it came on suddenly and you have been on that dose for a long time.

Let us know what your Dr says.

,
Kay

For my sisters and I, progesterone makes us bloaty and puffy. We must make enough naturally. It also made me feel very edgy and full of anxiety.

Many women love it tho'!!