Prometrium for Peri-Menopause = Weight Loss...?

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I'm 40 and have been dealing with the onset of peri-menopause for at least the past 5 years (mostly in the form of increasingly short cycles, but long bleeds). I've had endometriosis most likely since my first period (had all the textbook symptoms, but was not diagnosed via laparoscopy until 10 years ago).

So my OB/gyn is putting me on 200mg of bio-identical progesterone (Prometrium) from days 16-25 of my cycles in an effort to return my hormone levels to normal, as I'm pretty clearly estrogen dominant without proper progesterone levels to keep estrogen in check.

I've read accounts suggesting that progesterone can help with weight loss, as an overabundance of estrogen can cause the metabolism to slow and progesterone also helps decrease cortisol levels, which encourage fat accumulation on the belly. Until maybe 10 years ago I never used to gain weight around my midsection, but nowadays that seems to be the first place I gain.

Can anyone share their own experience with Prometrium (I'll be taking the generic) and its effect on weight loss efforts?

yogacat13

I don't know about Prometrium, but I've been using progesterone cream (over the counter) on the advice of my naturopath for some time and have shorter periods, fewer PMS symptoms, and feel better overall. I haven't really considered it to either help or hinder weight loss, except insofar as I don't have cravings for chocolate (as in an entire giant Cadbury bar) before my period anymore.

cafeaulait7

I take it again, every day to stop my periods due to unbearable endo pain when I have them. I haven't noticed anything related to weight or appetite this time. Being more balanced as far as estrogen goes has to be a good thing for my womanly belly, though, right? We'll see.

Last time I was on it, I was incredibly hungry and did gain weight. Progesterone can be an appetite stimulant! I am taking it via a different route than oral now, if you get what I mean. Much, much fewer side effects! Google it

I did a happy dance last period. OMG to not have those Hell cramps! And this time no crazy appetite. I'll be extra pleased if those estrogen sensitive spots react better to weight loss because I'm not swimming in it anymore, yeah.

lavaughan69

I have nothing to add to this thread, but I'm interested to read the responses. As I'm approaching 43 and starting to feel some changes in my system that I'm sure I will need to address sooner or later, I thought I should pay attention to this subject!

willdob3

I took it for a month. Never again! It slowed my fat loss to a crawl & I fought horrible cravings the entire time.

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Thanks, ladies! Yeah, I think this will likely be an experiment of 1. Just not having 23 day (or less) cycles and bleeding for up to 13 days will be blissful. I'm hoping maybe my skin will be clearer, too. This battling acne AND wrinkles simultaneously is totally for the freakin' birds! Insomnia has been increasingly worsening over the years, too. I remember how sleepy progesterone made me while preggers, so having that effect now would be wonderful. I also bruise really easy (which makes me look a fright when I'm in the middle of cyclocross racing season or spending time on my mountain bike -- because I crash a lot) and they take forever to heal, which I've read is common with an overabundance of estrogen and relatively low progesterone in one's system.

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I took it for a month. Never again! It slowed my fat loss to a crawl & I fought horrible cravings the entire time.

Interesting...I was reading a bit and from what I've gleaned the first few cycles on Prometrium can actually temporarily increase Estrogen and make things rough as the body tries to overcome the new, higher levels of progesterone in the bloodstream. Apparently things generally settle-down after a month or two. I wonder if this is what you ran into. What dose were you on, if you recall?