Re: Lower back pain

Wow MCW...your cycles sound like mine!

I certainly had more upheaval with them when i was on a heavy NB-type protocol so your practitioner could be right in that the moving out of toxic metals and rebelancing of minerals affects the hormone levels.

I would only suggest using the R.P. progesterone gel (apply to gums) once you've had it confirmed through testing progesterone is low.
I really researched lots of creams and many prefer R.P's gel. Within 2 hours i am much calmer and have more energy.

Ray Peat has some amazing articles on progesterone and the many many roles it has in the body...aswell of course it makes other hormones so being low in it, can cause other important hormone levels to be low aswell.

You have lots going on with your protocol shifting everything so just keep an eye on your hormones, and perhaps test them if you continue to have symptoms.
The groin pain during ovulation and a few days before menstruation i am familiar with...like you, i had that years ago and now it's a very regular symptom for the past 2 yrs. Before even starting with NB.

I know PMT/PMS is very common now, but IMO it's not natural. To me it signals imbalance as i recall having years of troublefree cycles...never a day off work, never a cramp...never a tantrum and crying spells!

I'm re-testing my cortisol for an update, hopefully to see it's improved from being low throughout the 4 diurnal rhythms. Funny you say you feel high cortisol as anxiety. I feel more anxious when low cortisol. I think it's because i know i cannot handle any stress whatsoever when low cortisol so find being in that state vulnerable which gives me anxiety.

Keep us posted on your next hair test...good luck with it! :-)