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PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY
John R.Lee, MD, has successfully treated female
patients with natural progesterone cream for over 15 years. Dr. Lee
has defined the signs of progesterone deficiency for women over 35
years of age to include swollen breasts, depression, low thyroid,
fibrocystic breasts, water retention, weight gain and loss of
libido.
Jerilyn C.Pryor, MD, an endocrinology professor at
the University of British Columbia, found through testing that 50
percent of the women of North America are severely deficient in
progesterone by age 35 and that, during the menopausal years,
progesterone levels decrease to almost zero while estrogen levels
only decrease by 40 to 60 percent. Dr. Lee defines this syndrome as
"estrogen dominance". When this hormonal imbalance occurs,
the estrogen becomes toxic to the body. Treatment with natural
progesterone restores the balance between these two main female
hormones, eliminating the need for synthetic hormone therapy, and
the undesirable side effects.
What is an application of natural progesterone
cream?
Natural progesterone (derived from the Mexican wild
yam root) in a moisturizing cream can be applied to the face, hands,
chest, abdomen, inner arms and thighs. Vary the application to avoid
saturation of the cells. The cream is readily absorbed and leaves no
trace after a few minutes. During absorption the cream bypasses the
liver and goes directly to specific receptor sites where
progesterone is needed. When the action is completed, residue is
then excreted from the body. Absorption rate varies from person to
person as does the relative need for progesterone. Please note:
Everyone is different. Some women require more progesterone cream to
help alleviate symptoms, while others can use less.
How do I know if I should use progesterone?
If you
have PMS symptoms. PMS symptoms are those symptoms which occur
consistently a week or 10 days before the period and stop with or
shortly after.
If you
have estrogen dominance symptoms. These symptoms are water
retention, breast swelling, fibrocystic breast, uterine fibroid,
loss of libido, mood swings, depression, craving for sweats, weight
gain, and fat deposited at hips and thighs.
If you
have menopausal symptoms. Estrogen continues to be produced from
the fat in cells even after menopause; however, progesterone
production virtually ends. Hot flashes are the most prominent
symptoms of menopause.
When do I
use natural progesterone cream?
If you
are still menstruating, begin using cream on the first day after
menses end:
- use
one-eighth teaspoon of cream for eight days
- then
one-quarter teaspoon for next eight days
- then
one-half teaspoon for the next eight days
As your
cycle gets closer to menses, your body produces more progesterone
naturally. If you experience menstrual cramps, try rubbing a small
amount of cream on the lower abdomen. For migraines, rub cream on
the back of your neck.
If you
have menopausal symptoms and are not menstruating; use one-quarter teaspoon per
day.
Again these
are guidelines. Vary as needed to alleviate symptoms.
What
exactly is natural progesterone and how does it differ from
synthetic progesterone?
Natural
progesterone, a cholesterol derivative, comes from the Mexican wild
yam. It matches exactly the chemical formulation of the body's own
progesterone. Manufacturers alter the chemical makeup of
progesterone in order to create progestins. Progestins in their
altered molecular structure may cause many side effects, such as
birth defects or abortion, fluid retention, epilepsy, migraine,
asthma, cardiac or kidney dysfunction and depression.
Can
natural progesterone help with endometriosis or fibrocystic breast?
There are
many factors that affect both of these conditions, one common factor
being a higher level of circulating estrogen, indicating a hormonal
imbalance. Progesterone is the precursor hormone and it helps to
normalize all other endocrine and hormonal activity in the body. In
this case, assisting to lower the level of estrogen in the body and
thus, possibly helping to clear these conditions.
Do
natural hormones help vaginal dryness?
Vaginal
dryness can occur in women of all ages for various reasons, but it
is primarily present in most menopausal women. Natural hormones in a
cream base can be used intravaginally and has been very successful
in treating vaginal dryness and vulvar atrophy associated with
aging.
Should
estrogen be used without natural progesterone?
Definitely
not. It is very important that natural progesterone be used with any
form of estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone can cause
endometrial and vaginal carcinomas. Estrogen blocks thyroid
production and cause water retention; and it can cause fibrocystic
breast disease and fibroid tumors and cysts in the ovary area.
Do I need
a prescription for natural hormones?
No. Natural
hormones in a cream base comes from Mexican yams which is
technically a food product.
I am
already taking hormones from my doctor; why should I switch to
natural hormones?
Natural
hormones are simply an alternative to hormone replacement therapy
(HRT). Synthetic progesterone (known as progestins) has many side
effects, and synthetic estrogen can be dangerous to your health,
especially if taken without any progesterone. If somebody is taking
both synthetic estrogen and progestins, a gradual step is to
substitute natural progesterone cream; and gradually reduce the
synthetic estrogen.
I'm post
menopausal, will I start menstruating again if I use natural
hormones?
Occasionally,
upon beginning the use of natural hormone supplements, a post
menopausal woman could experience some breakthrough bleeding, or a
"period". This is a perfectly normal response and is
nothing to cause alarm. The progesterone is simply causing the body
to rid itself of excess stored estrogen which can sometimes
stimulate a uterine shedding - thus breakthrough bleeding. If this
continues, decrease amount used.
I have
facial hair, especially above my upper lip, that requires shaving
occasionally. What causes this?
This is a
condition called "hirsutism" (defined as excessive growth
of facial and body hair). It indicates that there is a hormonal
imbalance between estrogen, testosterone (the dominant male hormone)
and progesterone. Progesterone acts as a regulator for the entire
endocrine system. A woman who has the hirsute problem probably has
PMS too. Both menopausal and menstruating women have reported that
facial hair (and body hair) decreased or completely disappeared
after three to six months of regular application of cream. Natural
progesterone is needed to affect proper hormonal balance.
Is
natural progesterone useful for hysterectomized, oophorectomized and
menopausal women?
Yes. many
women experience hot flashes following premenopausal hysterectomy
oophorectomy (complete removal of ovaries), and in the beginning of
the natural onset of menopause. The cream which contains natural
progesterone is effective for relieving symptoms of hot flashes -
most women have reported a complete cessation of flushing within 3
to 8 weeks.
Are there
any other benefits of natural progesterone use?
Additional
benefits for women include: improved brain function, diminished
muscular aches and pains, improvement in skin problems including
acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis and keratoses, and improved
sleep pattern.
Recommended
reading
Lee, John
R., M.D. with Virginia Hopkins What Your Doctor May Not Tell
You About Menopause. The Breakthrough Book On Natural Progesterone. New
York: Warner Books, 1996.
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