I have a question about progesterone seemingly increasing my insulin resistance. But first, some background.
Recently I did an MRI which found large ovarian cysts. The largest was 7.6 cm, and it may need surgical removal. I have an ultrasound in three weeks to see if the cysts have changed in size. I'm late 30s and still menstruating (although my "periods" are super light and so spaced out I can go months without one).
For the past two weeks, I have increased my progesterone dose to see if I could shrink the cysts. I'm taking a total of 300 to 400 mg of oral progesterone a day, which is a high dose. 200 mg of that is prescribed progesterone (yes, it's really progesterone and not progestin); the other 100 to 200 mg is Progest-e.
Before this new regimen, I was taking only 200 mg of progesterone, and not super consistently. Clearly that wasn't enough to prevent the cysts from developing.
The past few days, my waist measurement has gone up an inch, but my weight has stayed the same. I am already overweight and carry most of that fat in my belly. Also, I've had an increase in Acanthosis nigricans (underarm discoloration). Both of these symptoms suggest an increase in insulin resistance.
(In other words, the 100 to 200 mg progest-e is what is new. Apparently the progest-e is making me gain fat on my stomach and acanthosis nigricans.)
Ray Peat says that progesterone will eliminate estrogen, increase sensitivity to insulin, and shrink ovarian cysts. But a look at Google scholar will bring up lots of studies claiming that progesterone DECREASES insulin sensitivity.
I know people here say that progesterone can increase estrogen in the beginning, but at such a high dose of 300 to 400 mg a day, I would think that it wouldn't have this effect.
I have been following his ideas for over four years now. Diet is on point. Plenty of protein, plenty of carbs. I've tinkered with diet a lot, there's not much more I can do to improve this area. My vitamin D levels are good, I get anti-inflammatory protein. I take aspirin, vitamin K, vitamin E. I eat liver, get sun and red light. I am on top of all things Peaty.
Exercise is not possible for me at this time. I have severe CFS, and it's a struggle just to cook for myself.
Has anyone else had an increase in stomach fat or insulin resistance from taking progesterone? Any ideas? Thank you.
Edit to add:
Just to sum up --
Progest-e is responsible for the inch of fat gained on my stomach, the underarm discoloration indicating insulin problems, and the increased facial flushing. I know because it's the only change I've made.
Progest-e has caused these issues in the past. Even at doses of up to 400 mg / day. I stopped the PE, problems went away. Other brands of progesterone have no effect.
Prometrium is not responsible for these issues, because I didn't have them on prometrium only. But yes, I will stop it to see what happens.
I have 3 weeks before my ultrasound to try to shrink ovarian cysts and avoid surgery.
Recently I did an MRI which found large ovarian cysts. The largest was 7.6 cm, and it may need surgical removal. I have an ultrasound in three weeks to see if the cysts have changed in size. I'm late 30s and still menstruating (although my "periods" are super light and so spaced out I can go months without one).
For the past two weeks, I have increased my progesterone dose to see if I could shrink the cysts. I'm taking a total of 300 to 400 mg of oral progesterone a day, which is a high dose. 200 mg of that is prescribed progesterone (yes, it's really progesterone and not progestin); the other 100 to 200 mg is Progest-e.
Before this new regimen, I was taking only 200 mg of progesterone, and not super consistently. Clearly that wasn't enough to prevent the cysts from developing.
The past few days, my waist measurement has gone up an inch, but my weight has stayed the same. I am already overweight and carry most of that fat in my belly. Also, I've had an increase in Acanthosis nigricans (underarm discoloration). Both of these symptoms suggest an increase in insulin resistance.
(In other words, the 100 to 200 mg progest-e is what is new. Apparently the progest-e is making me gain fat on my stomach and acanthosis nigricans.)
Ray Peat says that progesterone will eliminate estrogen, increase sensitivity to insulin, and shrink ovarian cysts. But a look at Google scholar will bring up lots of studies claiming that progesterone DECREASES insulin sensitivity.
I know people here say that progesterone can increase estrogen in the beginning, but at such a high dose of 300 to 400 mg a day, I would think that it wouldn't have this effect.
I have been following his ideas for over four years now. Diet is on point. Plenty of protein, plenty of carbs. I've tinkered with diet a lot, there's not much more I can do to improve this area. My vitamin D levels are good, I get anti-inflammatory protein. I take aspirin, vitamin K, vitamin E. I eat liver, get sun and red light. I am on top of all things Peaty.
Exercise is not possible for me at this time. I have severe CFS, and it's a struggle just to cook for myself.
Has anyone else had an increase in stomach fat or insulin resistance from taking progesterone? Any ideas? Thank you.
Edit to add:
Just to sum up --
Progest-e is responsible for the inch of fat gained on my stomach, the underarm discoloration indicating insulin problems, and the increased facial flushing. I know because it's the only change I've made.
Progest-e has caused these issues in the past. Even at doses of up to 400 mg / day. I stopped the PE, problems went away. Other brands of progesterone have no effect.
Prometrium is not responsible for these issues, because I didn't have them on prometrium only. But yes, I will stop it to see what happens.
I have 3 weeks before my ultrasound to try to shrink ovarian cysts and avoid surgery.
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