Update: progesterone for dry eyes

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

Have I been barking up the wrong tree the whole time? I've been a strong advocate for low dose Dhea (2,5 mgs, preferably sublingual / intravaginal) to increase mouth & eye moisture. Which worked -  until menopause hit me.

Last month my eyes were so painfully infected I was prepared to drink horse pee! Fortunately it didn't come to that as I dug up a scientific paper from 2007 claiming progesterone rubs on the eyelids 2x daily can treat eye inflammation.

I tried testosterone, estriol and Dhea cream, but had never seen progesterone mentioned. When I woke up last Wednesday morning I immediately felt a stark difference. My eyes didn't stick or hurt!

Gradually the improvement amplified; the cornea is finally healing & now I rarely grab eye drops.

Progesterone is plausible, as all hormones dwindle in menopause. But I sure wish I'd known sooner!

[Sharon]

I have also suspected that Progesterone is key, but Progesterone cream that I used didn't make a difference for my eyes.
I did only use it at night though.
Maybe I wasn't using the right one?
Which type of Progesterone did you use?

[Maria3667]

Hi Sharon,

Like I posted in the paramount study about hormones before, it's probably due to their interaction. Like an orchestra playing together.

As I also take a pinprick of transdermal testosterone, 2.5 mgs of Dhea and a 1/4 tablet 2x weekly of Livial, I suspect progesterone is the missing ingredient (or musical conductor, lol... ).

The brand I use is Pro-Gest (natural progesterone, by Emerita). I apply on upper and lower eyelids at dawn & night. I'm truly amazed at the beneficial effect.

Study: https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2382585

[Sharon]

That's the same one I used 
How wonderful that you've found relief!
I think I'll try the cream again with the instructions you suggested.

[Deseree]

I've heard some great things about progesterone for dryness, glad it worked for you!

[bluegardenia]

do you buy it on amazon?

[Maria3667]

Hi Blue,

Well, it was some time ago. I don't think I got it from Amazon; probably just a regular website.

Good luck!

[Sharon]

I ordered it from iherb.

[bluegardenia]

thanks Maria and Sharon

[Carolina]

Thank you,Maria,

I just ordered Pro-Gest from Amazon.

Hope I have some relief and I will keep you all posted!

Regards, Elaine

[Maria3667]

You're welcome everyone  .  Hope it pays off for all of us trying this natural progesterone cream.

I forgot to mention that for the first 3 or 4 days I applied it up to 4x daily to get the glands going again. I have now reduced to 2x, but I feel I need 3x (unpractical, because that requires an extra application at lunchtime when I'm at the office wearing eye make up - progesterone eye drops would be easier).

My dryness is exacerbated by quetiapine which I use as an anxiolytic and sleep aid.

Keen to learn your results! Please keep us posted!

[Lotus1]

Thanks so much for sharing Maria3667.

I may ask my hormone dr if it can be made up at the compounding chemist.
What strength is the progesterone cream please?

I use natural hrt & my body loves progesterone!!

I'm feeling hopeful......

Lotus1

[araminta]

Have any more of you tried this yet?   I'm considering getting the Pro Gest but wondered if there were any more good news stories.

[Maria3667]

Hi Araminta,

Been on a tiny amount of Pro-Gest for 1 month now. The effects are impressive! Eye moisture is almost back to normal 

There's 1 snafu: after a year's absence my period returned! How can such a tiny amount (1/2 a green pea) have this effect?

Also, saliva flow & mouth burning have improved!

[araminta]

Thanks Maria, very glad you're getting good help with this.   I might give progesterone another go.   I tried it before without much noticeable difference, but never on eyelids.