Ladies, PCOS, Periods & Progesterone (TMI)

Kassielin13
Kassielin13 Posts: 263
in Motivation and Support
I need help! This may be a bit detailed but I do need help. I went 7 years with out my period due to PCOS. However this past November, I started back on my own without any meds. Great news at the time, but 2 months later and still going, nonstop. I visited my dr today for a complete check up. He placed me on Progesterone pills for 10 days to stop my period and restart it after a few day break.

The part that I need info on is how many days on Progesterone will this period end? How many days after stopping the 10 day dose will the next period begin?
The reason I ask is because my dr was a bit vague on how many, other than saying a few for both of my questions.

I do want to add that the dr explained the excess bleeding as 7 years of uterine build up finally shedding. Instead of shedding completely for a norm of 7 days, mine is just taking its sweet, precious time. So the Progesterone is supposed to "tell" my body to shed all at once during this 10 days dose. Then to shed once again for a norm of around 5-9 days. After this, everything should be regulated!

Extra info: The reason for progesterone instead of bc is because my body is in the process of "reversing and fixing" (dr words) my case of PCOS. There were no cysts on my ovaries and my levels were normal when last checked, more labs will be in tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for your info and help!

Replies

  • Picklepower
    Picklepower Posts: 66 Member
    Call or visit your local pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist. The 24 hour ones work too cause later at night they are less busy and have more time to talk to you. I think if you call 1-800-Walgreens they can direct you to a 24 hour pharmacist and you might even be able to request to speak to a female if that would make you more comfortable.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    My fiance just started using chaste tree berry supplements and is seeing great results. Aunt Flo is back.
  • Pamela3
    Pamela3 Posts: 96 Member
    I don't have PCOS, but I have POF(Premature Ovarian Failure), and am required to take progesterone every month to give myself a cycle. The way it was explained to you is very different than anything I've ever heard from any of my Dr's or Specialists...

    However, from my experience, I take the pills for ten days and then I'm supposed to get a regular cycle anywhere from the last 3 days of the pill up until 10 days after.

    I'm sorry, I hope this helps :(
  • mistresseeyore
    mistresseeyore Posts: 717 Member
    I took the pills for a year. It didn't help much, but if your TOM doesn't come by itself in 90 days you have to. Per my OB/GYN, going more than 90 days with out a period, unless menopause, can cause uterine cancer. My periods didn't start to get normal until I started balancing my eating. Low carbs and 3 snacks and 3 meals a day, made me regular. I'm talking since March I haven't had to use the pills. The longest going with a TOM was 36 days. It helps.
  • kimberleylorna
    kimberleylorna Posts: 5
    When i was on the progesterone pill, it would take about three days for things to stop. Good luck and great news on things returning!
  • MsCandyLynn
    MsCandyLynn Posts: 123
    Progesterone is a hormone that our bodies are suppose to make after we ovulate.. With PCOS we are considered anovulatory there we dont get follicles to create a corpus luetem...so we bleed not because we ovulated but because we're shedding lining! The lining of the uterus has to reach a certin thickness every month to do so... Progesterone is the hormone that sustains pregnancy (if you become pregnant thinking your uterine walls...it also the hormone that jump starts our cycle if pregnancy is not detected..meaning it was cause you to not bleed and being the uterine lining again... You will get your regular period about 5 days after the last pill...and it should be a regular period...3-7 days...that first day of bleeding is considered day one and if your body is reversing approx 30 days later (more bc of hx of PCOS is possible) you should then again get cycle day one...now if ur dr tells you take progesterone on day 21 then you'll get period around day 36! Hope this helps been living and breathing since 2005!
  • melmatt2010
    melmatt2010 Posts: 2
    I also have PCOS. I had laparoscopy to puncture the cysts on my ovaries & make me ovulate again. Dr. put me on progesterone 2 months later & I ended up having a period for 37 days. Heavy flow the entire time! I finally told him I didn't want the progesterone anymore & he put me on regular BC to end the bleeding & reset my cycle. I only took the regular pills for 1 week & then things went back to normal on their own. I actually ended up being able to get pregnant a year later. I'd say if you bleed for more than another week then ask your Dr. to try something else. Progesterone just makes some women bleed alot!
  • cshine06
    cshine06 Posts: 139 Member
    I take Chaste berry (Vitex) and my cycle is finally coming down with out bcp. This is amazing because I have gone 3 months before my cycle would come. Primrose suppose to help stop the flow as well.
  • 1542
    1542 Posts: 3
    Hello,

    I don't mean to ring the alarm but something similar just happened to my sister. She also has PCOS, she is overweight and did have cysts on one of her ovaries. She had a similar situation that you described (irregular periods then excessive bleeding). She had an abnormal pap so she saw a gynocologist for a biopsy and they discovered she had uterine cancer. Abnormal bleeding is a symptom and PCOS and obesity are both risk factors. Uterine cancer does not show on a pap and rarely on a biopsy so it was just a fluke that they found it.

    Thank god it was discovered early - she had a full hystorectomy a few weeks ago and the prognosis is excellent.

    I hope you will take the extra precaution and get checked.

    I know this check saved my sister's life!
  • reashu85
    reashu85 Posts: 21
    I took progesterone to get pregnant because I also have pcos. The 10 day does is supposed to be on days 15-25 of your cycle so assuming you have a 28 day cycle, in theory, your period should come a few days later.
  • Aurelina
    Aurelina Posts: 197 Member
    Hi,

    You wrote: "The part that I need info on is how many days on Progesterone will this period end? How many days after stopping the 10 day dose will the next period begin?
    The reason I ask is because my dr was a bit vague on how many, other than saying a few for both of my questions."

    It's a good guess on your doctor's part to try this and it's very important for you to stay in touch with her/him if you have questions. I've had various responses with progesterone and it's not completely predictable when dealing with this kind of situation. A sharp drop in P can provoke a bleed (Plan B for example) and alternatively using P for several days can stop a bleed. Or too much P can make some women bleed for weeks and weeks (google Depo Provera for example). Sometimes it's a matter of 'organizing the system' and that can be done with various approaches, one of which you've been prescribed. It's complicated and your doc is likely working through a series of options based on your body's response.

    By all means read and learn so you can ask good questions to understand and make sure you keep in touch with your doctor. In the past I lost confidence in my doc when I was bleeding for too long and was reluctant to stay the course and give feedback. It can be scary to have it going on for weeks turning beyond a month. Call the office. Keep in touch with your doctor.

    Congrats on the fat loss!!
  • Elf_Princess1210
    Elf_Princess1210 Posts: 895 Member
    I have pcos and the reproductive endocrinologist gave me progesterone 10 mg pills to take the first through the 14 th of the month. I then rest from them until the first of the following month. I haven't had a problem yet; so if you're having issues go back to your doctor and make him/ her explain the dosage and frequency of your progesterone.
  • Kassielin13
    Kassielin13 Posts: 263
    Thanks to everyone for the info. It is really interesting to see the different effects of Progesterone on an individual basis. I am only on day 2 of Progesterone and my period has lightened a great amount.
    If for some reason my body doesn't react to the Pro then I am going to be looking into Vitex.
    Again, thank you for all of your comments. It is nice to know there are people out there who can help you along the way!
  • Morganrcb1
    Morganrcb1 Posts: 5
    I was on BC, and did proverea,femara, clomid for the last 7 years, no regular cycles. Heavy and painful. Working with a weight loss clinic,, they put me on progesterone, my cycles are now every 31 days! They were very heavy, so we had to tweak how its taken. But I was told, pcos women have a harder time metabolizing cream, so I take 2 pills days 1-10 and we had me take 1 the rest of the time, so mt lining doesn't build up s much, but I have to be monitored to make sure my cycles start, plus my testosterone is high,and liver function issues. But i'm on metformin, ton of vitamins, exercise, eat very healthy via clinic, b12 and libo b shots.
  • Morganrcb1
    Morganrcb1 Posts: 5
    I was having issues with anxiety before, then great and the week my progesterone would drop anxity,came right back 3x worse. So the ashwagahnda helps and no drop. So depending on history

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