Bio-Identical Progesterone Cream, Large Size Micronized USP from Wild Yam Prog-Relief Cream, 150 Pump Applications, Paraben-Free, Soy Free

Okay, first off: I like this product! It's a quality cream, no problematic reactions, and it's worked for me for my intended purpose. I will continue with it and repurchase as I need to repurchase. There you go! Now onto the detailed review:I have a family genetic history of severe estrogen dominance, and it has caused me to have heavy and prolonged periods since I started at 12. My first period lasted for over two weeks, and I have had continuous periods upwards of 100 days. Yes, over three months. Basically because my body never had enough progesterone to stop the buildup of endometrium. Even when I was on my period, the endometrium was constantly building up. I had large clots at various times that were concerning, and I suffered from fatigue and anemia. Continuous periods are ROUGH, and were especially when I was a teenager, and I feel for anyone else going through it right now. You are not alone! My older sister had the exact same dominance, and she went on synthetic progestin-only birth control at 18, and it has worked great for her. When I turned 16, my mother approached me if I wanted to start on BC, and I didn't want to (as I don't need to use it to prevent pregnancy bc i'm rainbow flag flying, I've never had acne, never had excessively painful cramps, etc). I endured those years of ridiculous periods because I found ways to cope (menstrual cups- made from god's grace i swear it, love my lunette).I was inspired to look into bioidentical progesterone after doing some research on progestin only BC pills (as they have worked historically for my family). I wouldn't hesitate to go onto them if I ever was in need of preventing pregnancy, but at the moment I would prefer to avoid the synthetic form of the hormone. I was concerned that this wouldn't work for me because I am young (20), and this is most common for those going through menopause. However it worked for me because it's basically the same thing! When people go through menopause their progesterone drops to near nothing and they have too much estrogen in proportion to progesterone.I started on this on Sunday July 22nd, and it impacted me within two weeks. I finished spotting from my last continuous period (54 days) about two weeks before I got this in. I use one pump daily with no break in the evening before I go to bed, and it has caused me no additional anxiety. I do have an anxiety disorder, but I've noticed no impact on that at all. I was nervous about that because my sister's anxiety and panic was HORRID after she started with synthetic BC for the first year, but I've noticed nothing different. I also was warned that it could make my estrogen dominance worse, but I noticed no symptoms in terms of that. In fact, I've had no physical or mental symptoms or side effects because of this. My sister has said that she's going to look into bioidentical progesterone support if she ever decides to try to conceive and needs to go off of her synthetic progestin birth control (she no longer has symptoms after a decade on the pill). It honestly has made the regions where I apply this softer and just physically more moisturized, which is a positive bonus.Oh, as for areas of application, I am fat, so I have more fat deposits than average weighted people. I avoid them when applying this cream so the progesterone enters the blood stream faster and doesn't collect in those fat deposits over time. I go in a cycle so I always remember where I've applied, from the left inner forearm, upper chest and neck, right inner forearm, right front of the calf ankle and top of the foot, and then the left leg on the same areas. Preferably I would have two more areas on the outer hips so I wouldn't have to apply it to two regions more than once a week, but because I have a considerable fat deposits surrounding my hip bones there that isn't an option.There is a very light scent to this, but it doesn't strike me as a synthetic fragrance. It seems like it's the natural scent of the ingredients. I can't smell it unless I am pressing my nose against the skin where it was very recently applied and it fades super quickly.I didn't start using this to impact me losing weight in any expanse of the imagination, but I do feel like within the first ten days of starting using this I released a lot of water weight. I've been steadily losing one to two pounds a week since February with some mild portion control, and that starting week I lost about five pounds and physically felt less bloated. Fascinating how much your hormones impact that!Okay finally, as for what it's done for me in terms of my periods, it has had a major impact so far. I got my period on the 2nd of August, started with spotting for four or so days, and then I had a normal period for around five days (needed period protection), and it faded off super quickly (within a day). You may be thinking, really, nine days?? What?? But for me, that's a fairly normal period. And for the first period after starting with progesterone under two weeks before I was literally so amazed. I usually can feel myself ovulate if I'm awake when it happens (the pain in the hip is so recognizable to me because I used to ovulate many times a month), and I felt that pain on the 16th of the month. Like what??? I was basically a text book article on periods at this point in comparison to before and I felt INCREDIBLE. I started spotting for my September period on the 31st of August, and it's the 2nd as I'm writing this and I've needed to put in my cup during the day today. I will edit and update when my period ends to see if this is a consistent thing. I'm feeling very very positive about this, and I've been more positive about my periods and my hormones than I have since I started my period at 12.This is basically a rave review because it deserves it so far. I don't know if it's specifically this cream from ID or just bioidentical progesterone in general that has impacted me a ton, but comparing the price per ounce and the size of the bottle I am completely satisfied. I will also update when I run out and let you know how many days I got out of it. It says 150 pumps, so I'm expecting it to last about 150 days (5 months, mine should run out around Christmas). We shall see!Edit - 11 November 2018:Still going strong! I've had similar periods each month since (if not a day or two shorter most recently), and I'll just say: having security that your period is going to end within a reasonable amount of time has done wonders for my mental health. My estrogen dominance caused me so much pain mentally, and I was constantly in a cycle of depression. USA USA USA, I personally couldn't seek medical care for this condition because a. we don't have medical insurance and b. they would have just put me on synthetic birth control anyways! This has given me a sense of freedom far beyond any pill.I've repurchased already so I don't need to go without if I happen to run out ahead of schedule (but the airless pump packaging seems to be doing a great job!). I've actually discovered that if you tap the packaging with a fingernail going up the side you can actually hear the difference when you get to the level that the pump is, lol! While I would like a clear part of the packaging to show the physical level, for me it's not a deal breaker.Also: my hair is starting to feel thicker again?? Like I was when I was a child, which has been super odd! I know that means the estrogen has stopped thinning the hair at the root, which is rad, but it's a physical difference apart from my period that I can say has definitively changed. In the nine years since I got my first period I got my hair cut twice, and it never went beyond my very upper back before breaking off. In the two and a half months since starting progesterone it has grown a considerable amount, to the extent that I actually need to go get a pro haircut (not just me trimming off the dead ends every few months). No change in my super sparse body hair, which is also lovely lol.This all has a truly weird feeling, like I'm a different person because my hormones are better. I know it's just because it's been such a big immediate change, but in that way I'm thankful that it worked so fast (I know it doesn't for everyone). Proof that my body just needed a little nudge in the right direction to flourish :)Edit - 6 February 2019I've just finished up my first bottle, eeek, how exciting! In the end I got 190 days of use out of a single 5 oz bottle with one pump application a day. Based on today, the quality of my second bottle is identical to my first. The texture is great, and the texture of my first bottle didn't change at all for the whole 6 months I was using it! The packaging is QUALITY, I've had no problems with it.I'm still seeing the benefits that I was a few months ago. My period is a little less perfect, but it's still vaguely monthly and a normal amount of days so I'm still very pleased! I've looked into upping my dosage or using it 12 hours apart instead of 24, but at the moment I haven't found it necessary. It has become a dedicated part of my daily routine to maintain my hormone levels, and I anticipate no changes to that in the near future. I will be picking up the travel size bottle as well to prepare for some trips coming up this spring! Thank you so much for having that option available!Edit - 20 September 2019Finished up my second bottle today! Still lovely, still working amazing for me. I haven't swapped to twice a day yet, as I haven't felt the need. This really makes me happy, like it's working as a supplemental "nutrient" for the body should and isn't causing an immunity to build up. Super cool.My cycles are still 28-32 days, 2 days spotting at the beginning and the end with 4 days of actual (light-light moderate) bleeding. I'm soooo so pleased.$40 for over a year of mental peace is worth it for me- hands down. Chump change compared to what medical intervention for a completely basic and normal hormonal imbalance would be.

THE BOTTOMLINE: This is the best progesterone cream based on using different brands, each for a period of a few months at a time. It's the best because 1) it's the most concentrated so you use less; 2) it's more easily absorbed so it takes less time; 3) the pumps allow for easy dosing whereas others require a teaspoon; 4) there's more in 1 bottle versus the others, so it's more cost effective; and like the 2nd best cream, 5) this is also a family company; 6) this is also free of so many of our unfavored chemicals these days like parabens, phthalates etc.THE ADDITIONAL DETAILS: I can confirm that this *can* help treat PCOS. Each person has unique hormonal issues, but this is worth a try if you have PCOS. I have been treated for my PCOS with birth control pills and spironolactone. I added this to the mix and all my PCOS symptoms are vanishing at a much quicker speed. I'm almost cured, thanks to a regimen that also addresses subclinical hypothyroidism, which is usually a precursor to PCOS. I'm adding my own vitamins and supplements, with my functional medicine physician's oversight, like magnesium and vitamin D3 (most Americans are very deficient), Berberine HCL, and a few more, but slowly and in a controlled test fashion so I know if I am having a good or bad reaction, and which supplement is causing it. Regarding this cream's test, my body is loving this cream, so looks like severe progesterone deficiency contributes to my PCOS. ***It's like my body is finishing the puberty that PCOS interrupted.*** Now I have to ask my doc, what came first? The low thyroid or the low progesterone? Since low progesterone can cause low thyroid but low thyroid can cause PCOS... My inkling is that he'll say it's candidiasis and leaky gut, and diet and lifestyle based. So many things, especially hormone imbalances, are diet and lifestyle based. Eventually it will be hard work and sacrifice from me instead of these magic pills and creams. Because...THERE ARE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND CONCERNS with these creams and supplements:-Check with your doctor, and have your hormone levels checked regularly-Wash your hands after application and be careful where you apply the cream!!! Cream can transfer onto other people or animals and they can then start to get progesterone overload (this happened in my household!)-Creams are generally not to be a long-term solution. I say generally because there are patches and creams that seem to be used long-term anyway, but there is debate as to whether they should be. Some say that you get dermal fatigue from their long-term use, so it's important to rotate the areas where you apply it. Others say it's best to apply it nearest to your genitals (which is why some opt for an oil that can be used on the labia), because that's where the body expects the hormone to come from. So this is a new type of treatment that the professionals don't really know for sure what happens with long term use or where is the best place to apply it. I suggest researching it, talking with your doctor, and then using your hopefully good common sense.-If you do have PCOS or potential hormonal imbalances, I suggest seeking out a good functional medicine or environmental medicine doctor. Hopefully your insurance covers it, as many insurance companies don't because they prefer you go to a PCP who won't order as many tests even though it may really resolve all your issues. Medicine and health care is a business first and foremost! Your health is a bystander. If your insurance won't cover it, you can submit it as an out of network provider, appeal it, and/or ask for a financial agreement by the doc's practice. Also do the math on what will cost you in the long run if you stay kind of unwell versus becoming very well in the short run.-What is PCOS? PCOS is poly cystic ovarian syndrome. It is often diagnosed by confirmation of cysts on your ovaries. However, women go years without knowing they have PCOS because the symptoms are insidious. I'd research it online yourself, but the symptoms are kind of like your body didn't finish puberty and/or you kind of have more male-like appearance. We are talking about excessive body and facial hair, acne especially cystic acne, hair thinning and hair loss at a young age, for the most part, and then also underdeveloped hips and breasts. Add the hypothyroidism, and you're also cold a lot, have a body temperature of under 97 usually, hair loss all over the head, dry skin, tired and fatigue.Hormones, they can make ya or break ya. Have 'em make ya.