Progesterone and sleep

[Pie56]

Would be interested in hearing if anyone else has experienced similar as it’s becoming really problematic,
I was originally on sequential oestrogen/utrogestan, at age 55 I was still menstruating irregularly, so wasn’t able to go straight into continual, after about six months I asked to start continuous with one nightly Utrogestan, as I was over the bleeds, however, the breakthrough bleeding was awful so I went back on sequential, which sorted the bleeding, but on the 14 days without progesterone I have big sleep problems and it’s driving me nuts. The progesterone is like a wonder drug for my sleep and I’m struggling without it. I’m 57 in a couple of months and think I’ll try going back on continuous in the hope that my body has now naturally stopped menstruating, which will hopefully stop any breakthrough bleeding.
Has anyone else had similar issues and do you have any tips on how to sleep without progesterone?? I’ve got some magnesium but it doesn’t seem to do much.

Is it magnesium glycinate that you take before bed, and do you have a good sleep routine?

I use estrogen morning and night, and take 2 x 100mg of progesterone in the evening. I do this all month long. I don't bleed any more. I have adenymosis so it's a huge relief.

At bedtime I take two capsules of magnesium - nutrition geeks do a good mix of the three types and you get 30% off your first order if you share your email with them. I also take a 10mg gummy of melatonin as suggested by my GP. This means I sleep for longer without peeing and am getting more sleep overall.

I am still tired and my hair is still a big issue. But I am less evil and prone to outbursts than I was, so my family and I are both grateful. If you can nap in the day do. My weekends involve a lot of sleeping!

Sending love and support in a non MN way because the world looks so different without sleep. I hate it. It triggers migraine, my emotions, everything. Urgh. Bless you xx

I’ve just checked and it’s magnesium malate, recommended dosage 1 three x daily, to give a total of 240mg. I’ve been taking one at night, which no doubt explains why it’s ineffective.
I’ve heard that the type of magnesium makes a difference, so maybe I should get some of the other stuff. Can’t it give you the runs though??
my sleep routine isn’t too bad, I’m usually dead tired at bedtime, around 10-10:30, but wake in the early hours and cannot get back to sleep.

Thanks Christmaslightslover, I’ll definitely look into the magnesium supplier and will talk to doc about continuous with 200mg Utrogestan.
You are right, lack of sleep is debilitating and depressing. Thanks for your support. x

I take the Nutrition Geeks 3in1 magnesium, glycinate is the one that helps most with sleep not malate @Pie56 . Together with nightly Utrogestan this gives me the best sleep I’ve had in many years. I still get up once or twice for a wee bit this is a huge improvement.

@Pie56 What dose of estrogen are you on?

Is it 2 pumps, less or more?

I use 2 pumps but years ago when I was your age (!) I did need to increase it to 3 pumps now and then.
For me, estrogen helps my sleep.

I still use sequential but find it actually disturbs my sleep. It makes me feel hot and I need (usually) to get up at night for a wee.

Thanks Jingling, I love your input on these threads, I take two pumps in the morning. I might start doing one at night too and see if it helps. Plus the 3in1 magnesium which is being recommended.

OP you need mag glycinate. It doesn't give you the runs at all. Wrong type of magnesium! I buy mine from. 'new leaf' on amazon. You need 300mg of elemental magnesium. Which means two tablets of 1000mg overall. (have a look at the label for the elemental part).

Also have you thought about the coil? Since I had the mirena fitted I've slept better than since before children.
I have the followng:

Magnesium glycinate
Mirena coil
Daily estriol cream in vagina to stop weeing so much
No alcohol
Lots of walking and fresh air

Also, the benefit of the mirena is that you don't have that 'drugged' feeling like utrogestan gives you the day after. You also dream again, I found utrogestan stopped me dreaming and I found it hard to wake up.

(sorry plus 100mcg oestrogen patches too)

Are you on vaginal oestrogen too? Might help with having to get up at night.

Thanks ladies, helpful to know and I will do some research into vaginal oestrogen.

@Pie56 you will want either Estriol Cream or Vagigem which are most commonly prescribed.

I have had most success by using this daily instead of twice a week, but my atrophy and prolapses were v v bad.

Put the cream inside and all over your vulva and labia.

I often don't wee once in the night anymore and I was 3 times a night minimum 2yrs ago.

In fact this morning I had a pint of water and a coffee and went for a 60 min walk in the woods with the dog and didn't need to have a wee behind a tree. Miraculous.

*vagifem

I find CBD oil helps me on non progesterone nights.

I do find I wee more on progesterone nights which isn't helpful, I've just started on vagirux to see if that helps with overnight wee'ing as I'm up at least twice which is debilitating. I do find using the vagirux at night is making me worse initially so I'm trying to use it in the day or evening. May see if I can top up with oestrogen cream as well.

I found that taking my gel at night affected my sleep, so I take it in the morning.

Aaah Thank you.

I'd definitely up your estrogen.

I started HRT mainly for insomnia.

My sleep cycle went to pot at around 53 (had a final period around that age.)
I used 2 pumps for ages but after a few years I started feeling hot again at night and not sleeping so well.

I increased to 3 for a while and it was a lot better.

Give it a whirl!

@Fiftyfiveandcounting I am finding melatonin and magnesium really helpful. Good to know that the nutrition geeks combo is working for you too. Now if I could just not pee in the night, I'd be well chuffed!