You will know you are progesterone intolerant if you have a negative psychological reaction (and in some cases, negative physical reactions also) to taking progestin based medications. Examples of these medications are:

Note that there is a difference between progestins like the ones contained in hormonal birth control and naturally-occurring progesterone that is formed in the human body.

Micronised progesterone (such as Prometrium or Utrogestan) is identical to the progesterone made in the human body, and, for many, has fewer side effects than the progestins found in birth control pills.

In either case, studies have shown that it is often the change in progesterone-- and not the level of progesterone itself-- that triggers symptoms of “progesterone intolerance” in PMDD. It may be that, once the brain has had time to adjust to the new level of progesterone metabolites (typically one month), the symptoms will go away.

In terms of surgery - the ovaries must be removed for the treatment of PMDD. Estrogen HRT has to be used with 'add-back' progesterone to protect the uterus/cervix from hyperplasia. If you are intolerant to progesterone, and by adding it back into your system you start to suffer from unpleasant (and PMDD like) symptoms, then just removing your ovaries is not recommended as you will still be suffering from uncomfortable symptoms. Therefore, a hysterectomy is recommended in addition to ovary removal (bilateral oophorectomy) so estrogen-only therapy can be used without the need for progesterone.

Patient experience: "If I took anything with progesterone in within a day or 2 I would experience deep depression, anxiety, lethargy and flu like symptoms. Once I stopped taking it the symptoms would relieve within 2-3 days. Every single time"

Visit www.iapmd.org/surgery for lots of evidence-based information and resources for those considering, going through or recovering from surgery for PMDD/PME.

Read through all FAQ on surgical menopause here. Find out more about where to get support here.