Progesterone Cream during HT? Comments Please!

rrgoods

My DX is IDC with lobular features. Size 8mm, Stage 1, Grade 2 0/3 nodes. Oncotype 21, Surgery 2/29. Clear Margins. Radiation 15 zaps with 5 boosters. No Chemo. Opted for Arimidex. 5-10 years. 2 weeks in to date and no SE's yet. Prior to BC, I was using Progesterone cream (topical) after doing a spit test. Results showed I would have a better quality of life if I used the Progesterone Cream. The treating doctor is a super advocate of this cream.


When I was DX with BC, I quit using it. I am ER PR postitive (thinking I would have been ER+ PR- if I had not been using the cream.) But that is past history.


Now, I understand the HT I am using blocks any Estrogen. My MO explained the cancer was Estrogen driven. I get that, but what about Progesterone? I ased my MO about using Progesterone Cream and explained I use it topically, small amounts, etc. etc. My MO just looked at me and said "Dont use it." Have not touched it since, but I am curious.


In preparing for the SE's of Arimidex I have added a large doses of calcium, minerals, vitamin D, to my arsenal not to mention liquid CoQ10 and Mega Red Joint Oil. I am in pretty good health, age; 61, exercize moderately. Love to ride horses and the outdoors.

I am at a quandry!

labelle

My MO told me "we don't know enough about progesterone cream for me to recommend it but I have some patients using it." She says this about a lot of things including some of the supplements I take. Not very helpful, but more honest I think than some doctors just give you a "no" to everything without having a clue. My MO says her education was all about using the right drugs to treat individuals' cancers, not about using herbs, vitamins or other supplements, including natural hormones.

I use it. Please read Dr. Lee's book and make up your own mind. My gyno seems to have no opinion on my progesterone cream usage, except to ask "Does you OC know you are using it?" She does. My endo only seems to care about my thyroid and it is looking good, so she's happy, LOL. My physiologist (sports medicine/bone doctor) thinks I ought to be taking oral biodentical Progesterone troches to help protect my uterine lining since I'm on Tamoxifen, help fight BC and to help built my bones (he's very much into biodentical hormones and also thinks a bit of testosterone would make everyone feel better) I've passed on the testosterone and prefer the cream to oral troches (the liver filters out a lot of oral progesterone so it must be taken in higher doses and I prefer not to stress my liver).

Women who are positive for PR have a more favorable prognosis than those who are only ER+. There is some evidence that progesterone (not progestins) are protective and may help tamoxifen work better.

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/07/08...

http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/uncover...

rrgoods

labelle, thank you. Very helpful information . I agree with what you say when a MO just says "no". I could tell he really didn't know with the look on his face and his body language. Hence the reason for my post. When my doctor who recommended the progesterone cream heard of my BC he told me my prognosis could have turned out worse if it was not for the progesterone cream. He even went on to say he would be happy to speak with my MO. Unfortunately I am passing as he is retired, a little too long winded and my next door neighbor.

dtad

Hi all...just more examples of how MOs know so little about female hormones. IMO its just not right since they are prescribing anti hormones!!

rrgoods

I checked out Dr Lee's publications and am ordering one right now. Glad I didn't throw out that tube of progesterone cream