Serenity Cream

[bobsgirl]

I'm not suffering horrendously but am clearly on the way into menopause. A friend of mine who was suffering badly from mood swings has started using Serenity cream and says it's marvellous.

Has anyone else come across it and what do you think?

[Bellaciao]

I agree barbara222 that natural progesterone cream especially at the very small doses in Serenity Cream cannot do any harm at all - but all creams will be absorbed whether you "need" progesterone or not - not sure what you mean by this? Progesterone does have some benefits too as it performs functions in the body besides being one of the reproductive hormones and has a sedative (calming) effect. (A few are progesterone intolerant).

However it is certainly not powerful enough to actually shrink fibroids - at that very small dose. Most fibroids shrink naturally at menopause when oestrogen declines.

In addition there are so many more functions that oestrogen has in the body that I would be wanting to replace this too - especially as you have had a hysterectomy - there are plenty of bio-identical oestrogen products (in fact most of them are). Long term effects of oestrogen deficiency include osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, bladder and pelvic problems.

These bio-identical oestrogens are as "natural" as Serenity cream - ie have been synthesised in the lab from natural plants such as soy or yam.

Make no mistake - the progesterone in Serenity has been made in the lab to be bio-identical to our own progesterone.

The dosage of progesterone in Serenity is 14 mg per day applied to the skin. Contrast this with the amount many use as part of HRT (to oppose oestrogen's effect on the womb) - which ranges from 100mg - 200 mg - avaliable on NHS as Utrogestan.

[MissBoPeep]

I don't think anyone should self medicate with any hormone except under a dr's care.
If progesterone creme like this one really worked, a) it would be given on the NHS and b) you should take it with a dr's advice- as above.

[barbara222]

My mother started taking Natural Progesterone in her 70s after repeatedly breaking bones from falling over (she had full Hysterectomy in her 40s with no HRT). She still falls but does not break any bones,by taking natural progesterone, if your body doesn't need it then it is not absorbed.

[MissBoPeep]

Barbaa- lots of points here.
First, if your mum was 20 years post meno she should not have been self medicating with hormones. That's dangerous.

Secondly, the National Osteoporosis Socierty has done extensive research on this and found nothing to support the use of the cream for brittle bones. If it worked it would be a godsend and given to the 1:3 women who have brittle bones.

Third- can you explain how the body only takes up what it needs? There is no progesterone in women's bodies after the menopause so presumably that means allpost meno women take up all of it?

[Bellaciao]

I agree with most of MissBoPeep.

Only - I doubt whether natural progesterone does any harm, and probably does some good - but not where barabra222 thinks. Replacing oestrogen is probably more beneficial in more areas of women's body functions than progesterone. The dose of prog from Serenity cream (if that's what she was using) is minute so can only have a very minor physiological effect.

And barbara222 - sorry but one person's anecdotal experience does not provide scientific evidence that a particular treatment works for a particular problem - (which is why MissBoPeep quoted the Nastional Osteoporosis Society research). You need placebo controlled studies on large populations for that.
I am pleased that your mother hasn't broken any bones recently but if she falls it sounds like some sort of falls prevention would be helpful to minimise the chance of her doing so in future?

[creativecatalyst]

My doctor has prescribed Serenity for me on the NHS in the past but becuase of the cuts they can't do that now so I just order online. It has helped my menopause symptoms and although not much around in the UK a lot of US doctors are in favour and I found some good articles here: //www.-bio-hormne-health.com that gave me a lot of information.

[creativecatalyst]

It is not the progesterone that is the problem, my doctor tells me, but the synthetic versions in the Pill and HRT. The natural stuff has not been linked to cancer anywhere I can see from bulletin boards or Facebook. I found a lot of really varied experience (good and bad) on this page which helped me: www.facebook.com/pages/Wellsprings/162264887197

[MissBoPeep]

Have never, ever heard of Serenity being given on the NHS It's not licensed here which is why you used to be only able to order it "offshore" from the Channel Islands.
Which chemists did you find it in and did you only pay the normal script fee?

[MissBoPeep]

Sorry to be sceptical creative but it's not unknown for people associated with the company to post here under the guise of genuine members.

[Missbopeep]

If your periods have not stopped for good then the HRT is probably the wrong balance. If your GP gave you the gel and the Mirena he/ she sounds quite up to date as this is the route of choice of some menopause expert gynaes.

The Mirena should stop all bleeding anyway- so my layman's guess is that you have far too much oestrogen. Have you tried reducing the dose?

[gardenflowergirl]

I use bio-identical HRT: estrogel, the bio-identical oestrogen as well as Utrogestan which is a bio-identical progesterone. The problem might be that the synthetic progesterone, levonorgestrel, in the mirena coil doesn't suit you as the progesterone is supposed to modify the build up of the lining in the uterus to prevent heavy periods. Utrogestan is the only bio-identical progesterone licensed in the UK and is available on the NHS. Do your own research on bio-identical hormones and then get back to your GP. This combination works well for me.

[gardenflowergirl]

Glow The other thing is that progesterone cream is an unlicensed medicine in the UK which means that most GP's won't prescribe it, but you can get it from a private GP on a private prescription. You will also have to pay their consultation fee. Dr Shirley Bond in Harley St London or google natural progesterone information service and you can find a list of GP's who specialise in this who are available in the UK.

You can buy DHEA on the internet, but not available in the UK over the counter. I took it for a short while and it helped with energy levels. However, from my own internet research its not something you should take for too long

[Hessy49]

Hi, my first post on any forum. I had to write about my experience of using Serenity Cream. I am 49, no period for a year and I have tried it since July after having severe flushing and sweats, worst in evenings and mornings. Previously tried HRT but started having bleeding for week plus at a time so stopped after 3 months. Also tried Fluoxetene, ( prozac) which helped a bit but didn't want to take long term so have stopped this. I was very doubtful about trying Serenity and cost but I have honestly had great success with it. Took a couple of weeks to help but has really minimised symptoms. When I ran out of cream for a week, I noticed return of symptoms and took a week or two to reduce again once new supply arrived. I have just recommended to my very sceptical friend and she is going to try it. I really don't think effect is placebo but admit it could be coincidence that symptoms have greatly reduced. Will keep you posted.

[Pamel]

Serenity worked for me. Also Menopace Plus is good.

[norgeforlife]

I have been on HRT on and off since my periods stopped 10 years ago. Each time I came off the drug my hot flushes returned with a vengeance. I wrongly assumed that after a certain age this would automatically adjust and I would feel back to normal but not the case for me I'm afraid. Its 2 years since I have taken the HRT (I got it down to one every 4 days and felt well but at nearly 60 felt it was pushing my luck as my Aunty had had breast cancer) and I am still having the sleepless nights etc but have now resigned myself to the fact that it may be a long time before I feel really well again.

[Momos]

I've been using it for 3 weeks now and it's amazing, I'm 45 and suffered badly from hot flushes during the day and was being woken 4-5 times a night with sweats, I've been having 2 menstrual cycles a year. I noticed results from day 1 when I felt a flush coming but didn't amount to anything and had a sound full nights sleep. I have had no flushes or sweats since. This cream has given me my normal life back, I'm less tired and depressed due to the lack of sleep I was having and no more uncomfortable hot flushes.....so glad I found this cream.

[Grannylipstick]

I have just bought this cream. No in st ructions have come with it. Where do I put it????

[Bellaciao]

It really doesn't matter because at best it is a very weak bio-identical progesterone, and is not going to deal with long term effects of oestrogen deficiency - but might make you feel as if you are doing yourself some good. Depending on the make, at worst it could be a compound that can't be converted into bio-identical progesterone in the body so will do nothing. I would look on Google. What are you wanting to use it for?

[Toptotoe]

I've been using Serenity for a week now to help with peri symptoms. I think it's working but it's early days. What I would ask all the nay sayers out there is - if it's so ineffective and contains so little progesterone then why is it banned in this country?

[Missbopeep]

Because you can't prove a negative!

And no supplier is going to ask for a licence for their product on the grounds it doesn't work.

It's sold as HRT/hormones. No one in the UK is allowed to sell anything that is a hormone treatment over the counter.

All the evidence it works is anecdotal, or placebo effect, from my research.

Even prescribed drugs have a 33% placebo effect- it's a very powerful thing, believing something will work. And hormones are so all over the place during peri that is maybe why some women think it works.

[creativecatalyst]

It isn't banned, in fact a number of GP's do prescribe it, but because it is a natural medicine you need a prescription.

[creativecatalyst]

they sent me a link with my confirmation email, but you should find it on their website for a free booklet. Think it is www.wellsprings-health.com

[creativecatalyst]

I didn't think HRT had progesteorne - other than the mare's urine one? They are mostly synthetic aren't they?

[missbopeep]

If GPs prescribe Serenity then why are women paying £20 or so to have it sent from the Channel Islands?

I think you are confused creative.

GPs can prescribe natural progesterone as tablets for example- I think very few would prescribe cream and I have been told that the amount you need as a cream to have any effect would be massive and not acceptable in use.

HRT is given as 2 hormones- oestrogen and progestins ( progesterone is what we make ourselves- progestins are man made,)

Unless you have a uterus you need to take progestins for part of each month, or every 2 or 3 months depending on what your dr has advised. This is to ensure the lining of the uterus does not grow too much with the oestrogen, which can lead to endometrial hyperplasia and possibly cancer.

Oestrogen sometimes is made with mares urine- the HRT made in the US called premarin is- but there is a lot of HRT that is not made with it- in fact most. it is made from bio identical substances which mean the oestrogen is the same- molecular structure- as that we produce ourselves.