Part 5 of Commonly asked questions about Progesterone Cream

Can I Combine My Birth Control Pills With Progesterone Cream?

It is not recommended to combine the two. Birth control pills contain synthetic progestins. Synthetic progestins mimic natural progesterone. Unlike natural progesterone, progestins have side effects. Birth control pills when taken over a period of time do have side effects.

Can natural progesterone help with fibrocystic breast and endometriosis?

Fibrocystic breast condition is when most women have some lumps in their breasts which
sometimes cause discomfort in one or both breasts. The abbreviation is FCC which is an acronym derived from FibroCystic breast Condition. This condition is very common and it is benign (it is non cancerous) which affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 and becomes less of a problem after menopause. FCC varies greatly in women, which can be mild or severe and it occurs just before a woman’s menstrual cycle begins. Some of the symptoms are pain which could be mild or severe, lumps and swollen or tender breasts. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. When this tissue "sheds" during a menstrual cycle, blood and tissue collects in the abdomen.

Do Women Who Have Had Hysterectomy Or Are Post Menopausal Still Produce Hormones?

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (womb). If it is done through the abdomen, it is called an abdominal hysterectomy. If it is done through the vagina, it is called a vaginal hysterectomy; hysterectomy is also referred to as instant menopause. This operation is also performed with a laparoscope. Laparoscopy is a surgical method performed through the making of very small incisions in the abdomen, using specialized instruments. A woman’s body still produces about 40% of estrogen it was producing before menopause or hysterectomy was performed even though the ovaries have been removed but in the case of progesterone its production is greatly reduced. The symptoms a woman experiences are basically due to the low level of progesterone. Women who are menopausal or who have under gone hysterectomy then to become aware of the benefits associated with the use of natural progesterone a lot quicker than those who are still menstruating.

Part 4 of Commonly asked questions about Progesterone Cream

Where should I apply natural progesterone cream?

Natural progesterone is fat soluble so it would be easily absorbed by the skin without any trace after a couple of minutes, it is then absorbed into the blood capillary. Progesterone is best applied to those sites where people blush which are the face, neck, chest, breasts, inner arms, palms and soles of the feet. It is advisable to apply the cream in the morning and night after a warm birth and to also rotate the site of application regularly everyday.

At What Age Should I start to use natural progesterone cream?

Girls as young as nine years of age can start using natural progesterone cream because for like a year or there about before the commencement of menstruation the calcium in the blood is usually low which could result in girls developing symptoms related with Menarche and some of these symptoms are compulsive consumption of sweets, temperamental behaviour which by and large are kind of accepted as normal behaviour. Menarche is the medical term for the first time menstruation occurs in girls. Menarche is also referred to as first period or first menstrual cycle. During puberty the maturing ovaries require calcium to produce estrogen so this is done by diverting calcium needed for metabolic needs into the production of estrogen and low estrogen levels affects the general well being of young girls. The introduction of natural progesterone will help greatly in easing the symptoms associated with menarche and also the continued use of natural progesterone cream will help reduce or even eliminate complaints of premenstrual symptoms of premenstrual tension.

Can natural progesterone be used during a pregnancy?

In his book, "Premenstrual Syndrome & You", Neils H. Lauersen, M.D., from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, states that natural progesterone may be helpful to maintain pregnancy. The cream is not only safe for use during pregnancy but is recommended. From conception to delivery, apply first and foremost to abdomen, breast, low back, and upper thighs (where it will tend to prevent the skin from stretching). For the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, it is recommended to use an average of 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon 2 to 3 times a day, while for the third trimester of pregnancy, apply one teaspoon 2-3 times a day. The use of the natural progesterone cream should be suspended at delivery and resumed again at a quarter of a teaspoon twice a day which should start about a month after delivery.

Part 3 of Commonly asked questions about Progesterone Cream

Why Should I Use Progesterone Cream?

A lot of women have reduced levels of all hormones most especially progesterone this is as a result of the xeno-estrogens we are all exposed to in our everyday life that mimic estrogen. Its in our food, products we use daily, our diets. It is recommended that women use progesterone cream to make up for progesterone deficiency

How would I know if I should use natural progesterone?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then natural progesterone is for you:

(a) If you have Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) also referred to as Premenstrual Tension (PMT). PMS or PMT symptoms are those symptoms that consistently crop up about 7 to10 days before the start of a period and stop as soon as the period starts or shortly after.

(b) If you experience Estrogen Dominance symptoms. Some of the symptoms are decreased sex drive, increases fat deposition in the thighs and hips, there is increased risk of endometrial and breast cancer, depression, headaches, mood swings, fluid and salt retention, increases blood clotting and the risk of stroke.

(c) If you experience menopausal symptoms. During menopause, the production of progesterone is almost nil but estrogen is still produced from the fat in cells even after menopause; however, progesterone production virtually ends. Some of the symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, mood changes, memory problems, sleep problems, irregular periods, headaches, joint and muscle pain.

(d) Osteoporosis. Women over 50 years of age should use natural progesterone cream to prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become brittle and there is the likely that it would break. Osteoporosis is also referred to as brittle bone disease. These broken bones are also referred to as fractures. Any bone can be affected but it is more common with the wrist, hip and spine. Osteoporosis can be present without presenting any symptoms for years until there is a bone fracture.

What Are The Side Effects Linked With Progesterone Cream?

The Physician’s Desk Reference has a list of side effects and contraindications associated with the use of synthetic progesterone but there are no reports of side effects associated with the use of natural progesterone. Natural progesterone is a cholesterol derivative which comes from soy beans or Mexican wild yam whose chemical composition matches that of the progesterone produced by the body and as such does not have any side effects. The chemical composition of synthetic progesterone is altered by it’s manufacturers so as to produce progestins (progestins are synthetic progesterone). Some of the side effects associated with the use of synthetic progesterone are depression, migraine, abortion, birth defects, asthma and epilepsy.

Part 2 of Commonly asked questions about Progesterone Cream

What Is The Best Delivery Method Pill, Patch or Cream?

Trans dermal means applying a skin patch, ointment or cream directly on the unbroken skin, which is absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream. Capsules means the medication is taken orally, while a suppository is a drug that is inserted into the vagina (vaginal suppository) or rectum (rectal suppository or urethra (urethral suppository) where it dissolves. Trans dermal is the recommended form because if it is taking orally, most of it would be lost through the liver and as such to meet up with the recommended dose would require that one take very high dose which would amount to overworking the liver.

What Do I stand to Benefit From The Use Of Progesterone Cream?

It is a known fact that both sexes experience a reduction in the level of progesterone, especially women, when the level of progesterone is at its best it reduces hot flashes, improves skin problems, it helps in improving the bone density level and enhances the function of the brain among others. Women who are menopausal as well as women who experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMT) tend to respond well to natural progesterone. This hormone aids in conception as well as carrying a pregnancy to term.

What Are Xeno-Estrogens?

Xeno means foreign. They mimic estrogens, they are synthetic (man made, they don’t occur naturally) compounds. They are found in all the products we use on a daily basis. They are present in the food we eat, toiletries, utensils you name it. Xenoestrogen are similar in structure to the natural hormone estrogen, they affect areas of the body that are naturally regulated by estrogen and they also have the same harmful effects that unchecked synthetic estrogen prescribed by physicians have. Xenotrogens hinder the making and utilization of natural progesterone.

What Are Progestins?

Progestins are synthetic compounds whose function is to mimic natural progesterone. Progestins have side effects unlike the natural progesterone that are natural to the body with no known side effects that’s why they are the preferred. Some of the risks associated with progestins include depression, asthma, partial loss of vision among others.

What Are Hormone Cycles?

A woman’s body is ready to accept a fertilized egg during the first half of her monthly cycle at this time, the level of estrogen increases and nutrient and water storage takes place, while in the second half of her cycle, progesterone is the dominant hormone. If fertilization takes place progesterone level increases further, but if fertilization did not occur the levels of both progesterone and estrogen reduces but progesterone still remains the dominant hormone during the second half of the cycle.

Part 1 of Commonly Asked Questions About Progesterone Cream

What Is Natural Progesterone Cream?

Natural Progesterone is a vital hormone (hormones are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body. It is essentially a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one cell to another) manufactured by the adrenal glands in women and men as well as in the ovaries in women. Progesterone is also produced by the placenta in pregnancy. Some of the other functions of progesterone include- boosting the libido, it is a natural anti-depressant, stabilizes blood clotting, boosts bone building, aids in thyroid hormone action among others.

What Is Estrogen?

Estrogen is one of the two major hormones produced in the body of a woman, the other being progesterone. What testosterone is to the man is what estrogen is to a woman. Both men and women have some of each of estrogen and testosterone, but women have more of estrogen which is the vital female sex hormone and is responsible for the development of female characteristics. Estrogen and progesterone are in balance in healthy persons. In women whose monthly cycle are functioning properly estrogen is the dominant hormone during the first two weeks of her menstrual cycle at the onset of ovulation, progesterone level rises and it becomes the dominant hormone for the last two weeks of the month while the level of estrogen drops. When the level of progesterone drops the woman’s next menstrual cycle begins in about two days or so.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

The phrase estrogen dominance is an invention of Dr. Lee to illustrate what takes place in the body of a woman when estrogen and progesterone are not in balance. Estrogen is a dangerous hormone when it is not in balance with progesterone. Some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance are - raises body fat storage, results in depression and headaches, results in salt and fluid retention, decreases sex drive, increases the risk of endometrial cancer, encourages breasts cysts, hinders thyroid hormone, breast cancer etc.

Why do women need Progesterone?

Menopausal women use progesterone in hormone replacement therapy, women who experience PMS (premenstrual syndrome) also respond well to natural progesterone. Progesterone is known to aid conception and is also produced through out pregnancy. Progesterone plays a lot of roles in women the chief of which is to balance the effects of estrogen, if estrogen is not checked it results in the symptoms listed under estrogen dominance. During menopause the level of progesterone may drop to almost zero in some women while that of estrogen drops to about 40-60% which is still okay to put an end to the menstrual cycle. The use of progesterone after menopause would help to argument the overall hormone balance, because progesterone is the precursor to a lot of steroid hormones. Since it is a known fact that both women and men experience a drop in their progesterone levels especially women, maintaining the appropriate levels of progesterone results in the functions of progesterone stated under what is natural progesterone cream.