QuestionHi there- I am a PCOS sufferer and have been working with my endocrinologist to try to fix some of the hormone imbalances, so we can counter act the insulin resistance, obesity, infertility and hair growth issues, among other things. I started my cycle on the 12th of December, and normally my cycle is about 7-10 days long. Well, 12 days after I started the cycle, I started progesterone. She put me on 200mg a day to start. 11 days later, I was still bleeding, and very heavily (The heaviest cycle I have ever had) with very bad abdomen and lower back pain. She upped my dosage to 400mg a day, and said that my period should stop within the next two days. It has now been a week since she upped my dosage, and besides the flow lightening just a bit, there has been no change. I called her again this morning and she wants me now to take 600mg a day, and then if this doesn't work to go in for a physical exam to my OBGYN.
So I have now been bleeding for 33 days straight, and I just don't know what to do anymore! Can you offer any advice? Is this normal for progesterone? Thank you!
AnswerHello Shawn,
I think you should go visit your Ob/Gyn doctor because the treatment is not appropriate. In order to stop your bleeding, you probably need to go on the birth control pill for a short course (1 tablet 3 times per day for 7 days), which will stop the bleeding, then immediately without having a period, go directly into another pack or the full month. You will then have a period after that and things should be back to normal.
I'm glad you are seeing and endocrinologist for all your hormonal problems, but they are not necessarily the right specialist to see. They don't specialize on female reproductive problems. There is no way to reverse PCOS. Some will have an elevated insulin level, which some will respond to Metformin (Glucophage) but only about 50% respond. Therefore the tact that we take is to control the hormones by using either the birth control pill (if you are not trying to become pregnant), which will suppress the elevated testosterone levels causing the acne, obesity and hair growth. If you are trying to get pregnant, then you need to go on a fertility medication/treatment regimen to get you to ovulate, which will correct the other problems. If you are trying to get pregnant, then you should see a reproductive endocrinologist or specialist.
I hope this answers your questions.
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
