Clinical
Pharmacist Clears Up Confusion Surrounding Natural Progesterone
....
A Bit About Our Body’s Own Natural
Progesterone
The body’s own Progesterone is produced
mainly by the ovaries and by the adrenal glands. It is a
precursor to dhea, testosterone and estrogen, as well as to
cortisol, the stress hormone. The word “progesterone” is the
natural form found in the body, as opposed to the word
“progestin” which is the synthetic form usually found in the
contraceptive pill. It is important to make this distinction as
these words, unfortunately, tend to be used interchangeably
when they shouldn’t be at all, they are two completely
different substances.
Natural Progesterone
Supplement
When we discuss Natural Progesterone we are
generally referring to the use of a supplement, most commonly
delivered to the body by way of a transdermal cream.
Transdermal basically means “through the skin”.
Natural Progesterone is bio-identical
(biologically the same) to the hormone that your own body
produces. Manufacturing is carried out by extracting diosgenin
from wild yams, or sometimes soybeans, and converting them to
actual progesterone in a laboratory. Synthetic progesterone
(progestins) drugs are also made from diosgenin but the
molecular structure is altered from what is found naturally.
Synthetic progestin drugs may cause many known side
effects.
Professor Russell Marker originally isolated
the compound diosgenin in the 1940’s from the Mexican wild yam
which was also the source for the original birth-control pill.
Diosgenin is a precursor to progesterone and unlike the
synthetic hormones available by prescription, natural
progesterone is chemically identical to what is found in the
human body. It is noteworthy however, that many products may
list wild yam extract on the label containing diosgenin but
actually contain no progesterone. When purchasing, it is best
to obtain a pharmaceutically standardised product which means
there is a standard amount of active ingredient (progesterone)
in each container from batch to batch. For example in the USA a
standardised cream would have the words USP on the label
signifying the manufacturer is adhering to the standards of the
United States Pharmacopeia. In the United Kingdom they adhere
to the BP British Pharmacopeia.
Female sufferers of PMS (pre menstrual
syndrome) migraines often find the situation may be corrected
by the use of a natural progesterone cream. In its natural
form, it acts as a diuretic, which means women using these
supplements may have to go to the bathroom more frequently,
however on the upside they are spared the fluid retention and
weight gain experienced by women on synthetic progestins.
Natural Progesterone Delivery Systems
Natural progesterone is packaged as capsules, tinctures or
transdermal creams, with the creams being the most prevalent
form for use.
Unfortunately delivery via capsule or pill form is not
usually successful as the pill disintegrates in the stomach and
gastrointestinal tract and never enters the system.
Synthetic Progestins/Progestogens
The synthetic progestin can produce severe
side effects including increased risk of cancer, abnormal
menstrual flow, fluid retention, nausea, and depression. Other
serious side-effects may include facial hair growth,
depression, cardiovascular disease, liver disorders as well as
a vast array of other negative symptoms.
Estrogen Dominance
With a decline of Progesterone in the body,
a condition called Estrogen Dominance usually develops.
Estrogen dominance is said to be responsible for a number of
reproductive health issues, including infertility, irregular
menstruation, and various cancers. It refers to an excess of
estrogen relative to not enough progesterone. In other words,
you can have normal or low estrogen levels, but if you have low
progesterone you will have estrogen dominance.
Since women tend to suffer from estrogen
dominance more than men, it may be advisable to consult a
healthcare professional such as a Gynaecologist who can provide
additional information and treatment recommendations.
Why Use Natural Progesterone
The effects of high levels of Estrogen
include the following: stimulates breasts cysts, increases body
fat storage, salt and fluid retention, depression and
headaches, interferes with thyroid hormone, increases blood
clotting and risk of stroke, decreases libido (sex drive),
impairs blood sugar control, loss of zinc and retention of
copper, reduced oxygen levels in all cells, increased risk of
endometrial cancer, increased risk of breast cancer.
The effects of Progesterone: protects
against breast cysts, helps use fat for energy and keep it off
hips, natural diuretic, natural anti-depressant, facilitates
thyroid hormone action, normalises blood clotting, increases
libido, normalises blood sugar levels, normalises zinc and
copper levels, restores proper cell oxygen levels, prevents
endometrial cancer, helps prevent breast cancer, increases bone
building.
When Natural Progesterone is used the body
re-adjusts the estrogen dominance back to normal. Another
benefit of using this natural therapy is its effect in
combating PMS pre menstrual syndrome. Progestogens do not
diminish PMS, in fact they usually worsen the symptoms.
It has strongly been suggested that it may
be highly beneficial for those who suffer from monthly
follicular ovarian cysts. As the natural hormone is produced
during the latter half of the menstrual cycle and all
throughout pregnancy ("pro" means "for" and gesterone means
"gestation"), natural progesterone indirectly signals the
ovaries to stop producing eggs, hence the cessation of cyst
growth.
Some of the
most cost-effective & potent Progesterone creams
available