23 Comments
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Dr Julia T's avatar

Hi Dr Gunter. There seem to be glitches with this recording.

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

Not sure if it is a glitch in the downloading or in the WiFi while we recorded. You can find the original here https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJz4GX8TBT0/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

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Chelsea Nesvig's avatar

How can you convince your primary care doctor that your sleep issues are hormone related and that something like progesterone might help? When I mentioned sleep issues to my doctor she suggested sleep apnea and stress as the possible causes (the latter very unlikely based on risk factors), the other not a factor (thankfully).

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

I’ll cover that in the next post.

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Jill Knapp (DE / NJ)'s avatar

Same here. Mine was like "Maybe melatonin?”

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Adria's avatar

I am avid to know which post helped you start running regularly! I want to get back into running and I'm having real trouble starting up again.

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MaryaM's avatar

Is it safe to take progesterone on an as-needed basis for sleep, like a few times/month? (I tried MHT several years ago and the estrogen actually made my sleep worse so I stopped taking it, but progesterone makes me sleepy.)

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Barbara Hampson's avatar

Not specifically a progesterone question but related: Progesterone certainly seemed to help me sleep but it was too sedating. I had trouble waking up in the morning and was groggy and moody all day. Now I'm taking Duavive and experiencing similar effects, although not as severe as with progesterone. Is there any evidence that bazedoxifene has a similar sedating effect to progesterone?

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Lesley Taylor's avatar

I had this problem when I first started taking it. The nurse suggested that I take it earlier in the evening (i.e., 8PM for an 11PM bedtime, 6:30AM wake time) and that worked for me. Eventually, I reduced my MHT by half, so I was only taking 100mg of progesterone and had no trouble getting up in the morning.

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Eclectic Anne's avatar

How long is it OK to take progesterone? I also use estrogen gel. I've been on them for a few years for hot flashes and help wirh sleeping.

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Caroline's avatar

I was prescribed micronized progesterone in a soft gel. I’ve seen many people online recommending others to take this as a suppository, either vaginal or rectal - supposedly to bypass the liver. I’m wondering if this is advised?

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Heather's avatar

I slept perfectly fine and I had been taking 100mg progesterone as part of my MHT along with the Femring for a few years. I finally got an IUD put in because I just did not like oral progesterone. I felt bloated all the time, etc. But now that I don't take it? I am awake every single night at 3am, it is like clockwork, and awake for maybe an hour. Beyond aggravating! It almost makes me want to go back to oral.

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Laura Ford's avatar

Would love to hear what you think of the femring? I have thought about trying that. I currently use a troche to dose my estradiol.

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Heather's avatar

I love the Femring for its convenience, stick it in, replace every three months. Between that and the IUD I dont have to worry about taking a pill or replacing a patch every couple of days

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Laura Ford's avatar

love that! Are you post or in peri? Are you using the higher dose of the ring? Are you blood levels pretty stable? Thanks!

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Heather's avatar

I am still considered peri- but almost at the year mark for no period. Yes, I use the .1mg (highest dose). I don't get bloodwork done for estrogen, is that what you are talking about?

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Jennifer's avatar

Are online options for at-home apnea test reliable?

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Barbara Schwartz's avatar

When Akorn Pharmaceuticals went out of business, I couldn’t find another progesterone supplement that didn’t give me bad headaches. As an aside, the Akorn customer rep I spoke to said that she heard from a lot of women in the same situation. So I had to wean myself off of my MHT with the help of my doc—a nightmare. Am dealing with hot flashes and poor sleep, but not willing to try other options due to the difficulty of weaning off meds in general. Can’t go through that again. Would love to hear your thoughts on progesterone side effects. Thanks!

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Elayne Kardash's avatar

Who did you reference in Toronto for CBT? It cut out. Thanks so much

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

Dr. Colleen Carney, one of the world experts!

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Olivia F's avatar

Can micronized progesterone taken during luteal phase help with PMDD?

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S. Levin's avatar

Hello Sleep: The Science and Art of Overcoming Insomnia Without Medication by Jade Wu is also a good resource on insomnia.

There's a new cook book out - Eat Better Sleep Better. I haven't read it yet. I suspect there's nothing groundbreaking in it, but I imagine the recipes are overall healthy.

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May 20
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FourTwentyEight's avatar

Also, what are the options for when (what time) to take progesterone for best sleeping results?

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