I'm trying to find women who have experienced the same thing I'm going through now. I have been off for two months now and am experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. My gyn Doctor gave me a perscription for synthetic progesterone and told me to take it for three months or until I got my first period. Well after researching this drug I decided to go the natural route and use Natural Progesterone Cream. I have been using it for 21 days on and 7 days off like you would taking the pill. I still have'nt got my period and plan on using the cream one more month. My blood pressure has become lower but it is still not in the normal range. My question is How long did it take for the pill to get out of your system and lower your blood pressure (my doctor says 6 weeks) but I think I should give myself another month before going on blood pressure medicine. 2nd question is am I using the progesterone cream right and how long can I keep using it whether I get a period or not. I'm hoping some one out there has gone through this same thing and can shed some light on my problem

Thanks.

Cindy

My feelings about hormones are that when you make a change, you need to wait at least 2 months to see what its going to be like on or off them. But also, since you've been on BC so long, I think it might take alot longer for your body to adjust.....since you will probably be going through perimenopause too.......which will really confuse the issue.
Sorry I can't advise you about the cream, but since people usually have a progesterone deficiency, I would say you are safe continuing to use it.
I think its going to be a rough ride for you for awhile, while your hormones try to stabilize. Not to scare you, but my hormones have been trying to stabilize for about 10 years.
If you have too rough a ride, maybe your doc would consider putting you on a patch. My doc said that patches are smoother, and they can be cut into smaller patches, while you're trying to come off them.
Good luck Cindy. Its not easy being a woman!

Thanks
Cindy57

After more than 30 years on birth control pills, my Dr. took me off them because I've developed hypertension, as you have. Trouble is, I'm STILL not menopausal, as far as I can tell. I started my period a month to the day after going off the pills! Dr. had scheduled me to get a lab test to check my hormone levels, but I'm waiting for a callback from her to see whether this is necessary. I don't know whether the period was due to "leftover" pill hormones in my system or what.

Dr. says there's extremely little chance of my becoming pregnant at my age, but that I should use OTC contraceptives for now - so I'm using the sponge. (Easy to insert, by the way, but not so easy to remove!) DH says he'll get a vasectomy if his insurance will pay for it.

Hmm. Makes me wonder what the record is for latest menopause. My Dad says my late Mom didn't go through it until her mid-50s. I hope I won't have to wait until I'm 60.

As Danny Glover said in a different context, "I'm too OLD for this S%#t!"

Cindy57

Cindy

Have you checked your BP at home? Many of us get "whitecoat syndrome" at the doc's and it doesn't reflect our usual BP.
I would definitely try other ways of lowering my BP before going on meds. Some people are really sensitive to salt and can bring their BP down just by backing of the salt. Also......how's your weight? Losing weight can bring it down too.
There can be side-effects to BP medicine that you might not like. Personally, I would try the other methods first.
You were on the pill a long time. Since your BP isn't dangerously high right now, I would give it more time, while doing some of the other things (including more excercise).
I got hypertensive during perimenopause and was put on a beta blocker. After 5 years on it, I decided to come off, since my BP was doing okay. It took my heart months to quit racing. So I would really try the other things first.
Some women miss several periods, then have a big one. This can go on a long time. Chances are, your endometrial lining is building up with blood and just not letting it go. I think you would be fine to use the progesterone cream.

cindy

Thanks again for your advice, I'm off to the vitamin store for more cream.

Cindy