Progesterone – The Almost Forgotten Hormone

Bioidentical Progesterone Supplementation

The importance of progesterone, a crucial sex hormone, is often overlooked. Progesterone imbalance affects both women and men. Scientific research is beginning to shed light on the importance of maintaining a balance between progesterone and estrogen for overall health and wellness. It’s also beginning to show significant differences between natural (bioidentical) and synthetic versions.

The primary hormones that are prescribed for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control pills are derived from synthetic sources. They do not have the same function in the body that our own biological hormones do.

Studies show that synthetic hormones are linked to an increase in certain health problems. According to the Women’s Health Initiative study, an experiment involving hormone replacement therapy was stopped early due to the increase in breast cancer. Breast cancer rates have dropped significantly since reports of this study were released in 2002.

Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Discussion on Routine Hormone Replacement Therapy (Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health)

Presently, natural progesterone (bio-identical hormone therapy) is beginning to get recognition for its beneficial effects.

According to Dr. John R. Lee, an authority on hormone balancing: “Natural progesterone has a molecular structure identical to the progesterone produced by the human body and is created through the fermentation process of the Mexican wild yam.”

Lowered Progesterone Levels

From the time menses begins until menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone in women ebb and flow to promote reproduction. At about age 35 to 40, women reach the time of perimenopause. This is when their levels of progesterone and estrogen begin to reduce.

During this time until about age 50, there is a 35% drop in estrogen, but a 75% reduction in progesterone happening at the same time. This normal process creates the perimenopausal symptoms accepted as part of the aging process.

Premenopausal women and many women in menopausal are overloaded with estrogen. At the same time they are suffering from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in physiological production during this period. This results in an inability to counteract the amount of estrogen in the body. It is most noticeable among perimenopausal women who do not ovulate. A common occurrence, a woman may appear to have a fairly normal cycle, but no egg is released and very little progesterone is produced.

Importance of Progesterone

“This essential hormone also plays a part in the development of healthy nerve cells and brain and thyroid function. Synthetic progestins tend to block the body’s ability to produce and utilize natural progesterone to maintain these life promoting functions.” ~ DigitalNaturopath.com

Progesterone can help prevent estrogen from affecting health among other protective factors. Therefore, supplementing with a natural progesterone cream, such as Progesta-Care or Progesta-Care for Men, can help. It may correct hormonal imbalances that cause symptoms associated with estrogen dominance.*

Progesterone is also the primary hormone of fertility and pregnancy. It’s essential to the survival of the fertilized egg, the embryo, and the fetus. In pregnancy, it prevents the shedding of the uterine lining, as a drop in progesterone can result in a miscarriage.

Natural progesterone helps to counterbalance the negative effects of estrogen. When there is not enough progesterone to counterbalance estrogen, one may begin to have symptoms of estrogen dominance. Common symptoms may include PMS, heavy or irregular periods, irritability, weight gain, anxiety, hair loss, low libido, fibrocystic breasts, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Men can also experience symptoms related to to estrogen dominance.

Symptoms of Progesterone Deficiency in Women and Men

Symptoms in Women

Causes of Imbalance Between Progesterone and Estrogen

• Stress
• Obesity
• Poor Liver Function
• Birth Control Pills
• Plant Estrogens (soy, flaxseed, red clover)
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Peri-menopause
• Glandular Dysfunction
• Environmental estrogens

Progesterone as a Building Block

Furthermore, progesterone is a building block for many other hormones, including corticosteroids. They are produced by the adrenal glands and are essential for stress response, electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and survival. Without adequate progesterone, synthesis of the cortisones is impaired and the body turns to alternate pathways. These alternate pathways have masculine-producing side effects, such as long facial hairs and thinning scalp hair. Cortisol, DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen are all made from progesterone in a process that begins with cholesterol.

Problems with Synthetic Progesterone (Progestin)

It is important to understand the difference between natural bio-identical progesterone and the synthetic version commonly known as progestin. Natural progesterone is not a patentable product. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies have altered this hormone to produce synthetic progestins, which are patentable and are generally used in contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Synthetic progestins are not exact replicas of the body’s natural progesterone. Even though there is a big difference between the effects of natural and synthetic versions, doctors often interchange their names.

“The synthetic version of this hormone is not really progesterone; it is a progestin. Progestins are synthetic progesterone-like compounds manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. Synthetic progesterones are far more powerful than the body’s own natural progesterone and are metabolized as foreign substances into toxic metabolites … [and] can gravely interfere with the body’s own natural progesterone, create other hormone-related health problems, and further exacerbate estrogen dominance.” ~ Ward Dean, MD

Side Effects of Progestin

Unfortunately, there is a long list of side effects, some of which are quite severe.

Most importantly, synthetic progestins lack the intrinsic physiological benefits of progesterone, thus they cannot function in the major biosynthetic pathways as progesterone does and they can disrupt many fundamental processes in the body.

Natural (bio-identical) Progesterone Cream

We offer these products and more at Energetic Nutrition. As always, check with your doctor before you begin any hormone supplementation program.

Benefits of Natural Progesterone Include

• Promotion of  a healthy sex hormone balance
• Having a calming effect
• Help to enhance mood
• Help to normalize menstrual cycles
• Increase sex drive
• Help use fat for energy[clear]

Paraben-Free, Non-Synthetic Progesterone Options

Progesta-Care augments low progesterone levels and balances the ratio between estrogen and progesterone.

Progesta-Care Complete  with Prognenolone and 7-Keto DHEA can be used by those who are estrogen dominant.

Progesta-Care for Men contains paraben-free, natural hormones in levels that may benefit prostate and urinary tract health in men.*

Creams Containing Progesterone and Estrogen

Progesta-Care PLUS is for women feeling they need phytoestrogens in addition to progesterone. Some find the combination of both estrogen and progesterone to be helpful in managing hormone fluctuations.

Progesta-Care Estriol cream provides an optimal balance blend of natural progesterone and estriol (a type of estrogen) in an easy-to-use pump which contains approximately 20 mg of natural Progesterone USP and 0.75 mg of Estriol per full press of the pump.

Related Products

DIM is an excellent hormone balancer, particularly in an estrogen dominant body.* DIM™ is a naturally occurring phytonutrient that is found in cruciferous vegetables.

EaseFemin™ contains Isoƒactor™, a premium extract from exotic Brazilian Red Propolis that helps women reduce symptoms that may accompany menopause.*

N-fuzed Estro-Fem increases progesterone and helps balance estrogen. It may assist women in menopause by reducing or eliminating the symptoms associated with normal hormone fluctuations in aging women.*

N-fuzed Testosterone is the perfect, all natural alternative to messy creams and injections. It may quickly stimulate the body’s natural processes to increase testosterone levels.*

Clary Sage Essential Oil  may support a healthy attitude during PMS*, boost libido, and improve mood, and reduce cramps and water retention during menstruation.*

Patchouli Essential Oil may regulate libido and stimulate healthy hormone balance in both men and women.*

More on Hormones

Could Estrogen Dominance Be Responsible for Your Weight Gain, Decreased Libido, Fatigue?

The Skinny on Fat – And the Role Hormones and Obesogens Play

Further Reading

• Natural Progesterone Advisory Network
• Hormone Balance in Men and Women
• Estrogen Dominance
• Progesterone: The ‘Feel-Good’ Hormone – Part 1