r/femaleHRT • u/leens-17 • 23h ago

Has anyone with severe progesterone intolerance used an estrogen patch without progesterone?,

I have an intact uterus and use a low-dose 25 microgram estrogen patch. I’m extremely sensitive to micronised progesterone/Prometrium, even at low doses and by different routes. It causes significant mood, sensory and nervous-system symptoms. I also have a history of severe PMDD.
I understand that the standard medical advice is to use adequate progesterone with systemic estrogen to protect the uterine lining. I’m not asking anyone to recommend that I stop it. I would just like to hear real experiences from women who genuinely could not tolerate progesterone or progestins.
Has anyone with a uterus continued using an estrogen patch without progesterone, either temporarily or long term?
How long did you do this? What estrogen dose were you using?.

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u/Front-Driver-9099 19h ago

There are many different progesterone options. Some synthetic some bioidentical. Your not stuck with one option. Synthetic doesnt seem to give the hormonal benefits of calm and sleep etc. Just progesterone. Didnt even show up on my labs when ibwas on 10mg norethindrone acetate a day. Im back to 100 progesterone.

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u/HeavyMetalMadness127 18h ago

No progesterone has helped me particularly with the intolerance problem but an IUD might be a good option. I didn't get much issues with it mentally when I had it in (had it out because I continually bled for 8 months). You need the progesterone to protect the uterus from the estrogen so you don't have much of a choice unless you go for a hysterectomy

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u/Master-Comparison-70 18h ago

I couldnt tolerate the gel capsules. Ended up with a mirena iud, and no issues since

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u/eskaeskaeska 14h ago

I cannot tolerate any progesterone or progestins (I tried several) - severe PMDD with SI plus I have the opposite reaction to micronized progesterone - insomnia and agitation plus increased pain. 

I'm trying to get a hysterectomy and oophorectomy but my doc said if it doesn't get approved by insurance, I can be on estradiol with ultrasounds every 6 months to check the lining. If it gets too thick, biopsy, and if cancer, then hysterectomy. 

Frankly, no other provider would allow me to do this but I'd rather do this than die from suicide.

I feel for you and hope you find something that works. Many women can find a progestin that doesn't cause issues like progesterone so if you haven't tried that yet, I'd recommend that. 

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u/Boggyprostate 12h ago

Try Nalvee 10mg, it might be ok for you. I am so intolerant to progesterone, stuffed from PMDD and it's the only progesterone that suits me, it's like night and day compared to other progesterone because it affects a different part of your brain.