Progesterone and increased temperature during exercise?

[Loveacadburyscreamegg]

Until recently I was on cyclical HRT with 2 weeks of 100mg of progesterone daily (with the evorel 25 patch). I came off the mini pill so the HRT nurse increased my PG dose to 200mg.

I started this a week ago and hate it - I’ve put on weight (water retention I suspect) and all of a sudden exercise is so much harder. I went for a run today - I went the reddest in the face I’ve ever been. You could have fried an egg on my forehead and it’s not even hot outside! I also sweated more than usual too. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m going to see if I’m allowed to reduce back as I’m such a low estrogen dose. 😩

This is tricky.

The progesterone dose for a 25mcgs is the same as for a higher dose.
I'm using 1 pump of gel and still have to use 200mgs progesterone on a cycle and I do have a reasonable amount of blood loss during the withdrawal bleed.

I wonder why you were told to use half the dose in the first place? Was this as you were also on the mini pill at the same time?

Progesterone does increase body temp.
I've not experienced what you are - the medical advice is you need to give a change of dose 3 months before making any more changes.

100mgs would be off-licence and through a specialist, if you were very intolerant to it.

Thanks so much for your reply gingling - you’re very knowledgable! Previously I was not on cyclical HRT - as I was on the mini pill I had no periods, so was prescribed the lower 100mg but for the whole month. When I came off the mini pill, I think she forgot to update the prescription so I was only on 100mg for 2 weeks out of 4. They must have realised the mistake and have now updated it a few months on.

I will give it 3 months as you recommend - but seriously considering coming off it. My main peri symptoms were fatigue and the odd rage (sleep was fine luckily). I’m wondering if I can manage them non medically eg supplements, diet. My periods are still super heavy and painful on HRTso there’s been no benefit there.

As I’m early peri I wonder if I still have a good amount of my own progesterone, so my body is a bit overloaded. I will give it until the end of summer and re-assess 🙂

If your periods are heavy on HRT you need to take more progesterone.

100mgs a day in peri isn't going to keep the womb lining thin.

Hopefully you will find the right balance!

I keep saying this but I swapped to taking my progesterone vaginally and lots of the side effects disappeared.