need advice on starting natural hormones

[golcoh]

I'm new to this , so I would appreciate any help. My holistic doctor wants to put me on natural progesterone, Pregnenolone and DHEA, because a recent lab "post-menopausal extended profile" by saliva showed that I am too low on these, but normal in the estrogen groups. The doctor has been trying to help me recover from adrenal fatigue and insomnia. (I also take 1 tab of NT1 thyroid daily to tx hypothyroidism). I am postmenopausal, have no particular sx except anxiety and delayed onset sleep disorder, but apparently, my adrenals are shot, and so far, the Adrenal Stress Index tests with months of supplements and rest have not helped change the adrenal picture, so the doctor did this recent hormone panel, and, as I said, now suggests I start taking the natural progesterone, Pregnenolone and DHEA, as that might help the adrenals absorb the healing supplements better and make me better. I am scared as can be to use those hormones. I have never taken any HRT, and when I read online about these 3 hormones, articles are either trying to sell you some on their website, (for anti-aging, etc) or they show medical articles describing all the scary side-effects and dangers of using them. Can anyone share their experiences or clinical knowledge of the safety and usefulness of using these hormones? I don't want to fix what ain't broke. I sailed through menopause over 10 yrs ago with no problems. My doctor says that because they are natural, holistic and not synthetic, I won't have the side-effects.
Signed, very confused, but open to your thoughts.

[confusa]

after my 3rd baby i started falling apart. when i hit 30my thyroid went out,adrenals went with it..hormones i guess were all off. i was...a mess. i say all that to say that i read your post and i too was terrified to take progesterone. but my doctor is awesome and she has her work cut out for her bc i went so long with out proper care. when i found her she knew eexactly what she was dealing with she was not for sure if i was perimenapausal but she stated she thought so, and adrenal recovery is no joke. she has me on many supplements(specifically b's and d- from what i understand are essential as well) and progesterone..from a compound pharmacy. i can tell you that the progesterone has been phenomenal for me. it helps balance irritability, moodiness, anxiety and just even you out. she is working on your adrenals...i recently spoke to a doctor from a compound pharmacy as i was reordering some folic acid and he reassured me that my doctor was taking the right approach to adrenal recovery with the progesterone, b's, supplements, adrenal support. that is my testimony. if you have any specific questions than please just let me know. i would never take synthetic...that is what i know for sure. hope this helps. by the way i have been taking it for probalbly 2 years.

[golcoh]

Thank you so very much for reading my posted message, and taking the time to reach out to me. Based on your experience, I feel confident to give natural progesterone and the other 2 hormones a try. I too have anxiety and really strong insomnia, and I am heartened to hear that you did not have the dreaded side-effects that I so fear. Just knowing that someone else, who has no monetary reason to praise her regimen, and who has been prescribed her supplements from someone she trusts gives me great reassurance. So glad that you are doing so well. My kindest regards.

[janart]

Hi I was just wondering how you are doing on the natural Progesterone? I had a saliva test also and progesterone was really low. We have tried the prometrium pill but then switched to the cream. It did raise my level some but it just has not helped me feel better. As a matter of fact I have stopped it a few times and started back and when I do after about 2 days I am more sad and tired. Just really confused. I want to feel all the time the way I do about 4 days towards the end of the mth. I had surgery years ago but still have my overies. So I don't know when I am ovulateing and when I'm not. I have alot of headaches but there is about 4 days out of the month that I feel good, have energy,and feel sexual. I want that all the time. Haven't been able to figure out if thats increase in estrogen or what. Good luck

[golcoh]

Hello, Janart.
My doctor has put me on sublingual drops of pregnenolone and sublingual drops of dhea, but no direct progesterone. He feels that pregnenolone is the "mother hormone" that converts into progesterone and other hormones, as your body needs them, and has less potential for side-effects than giving the straight progesterone directly. He knows how scared I am of the side-effects of hormones. I have only been on the supplements now for 1 week, so I don't really notice any difference yet, but I don't have any side-effects either. I am trusting his wisdom right now, and giving this a chance. I will describe my progress, as it it goes, down the line. If you can, Google pregnenolone and read about it. I think that you might be surprised at its details. Anyway, I am just starting the journey, and I wish much success for you, By the way, my doctor is a holistic practitioner, As I believe that the good ones are much more in tune with their wisdom than "western medicine" MD's, when it comes to hormones, but that is just my belief. Good luck!