The Benefits of 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 premenstrual 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.