Progesterone is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands in women,
and in smaller amounts, in the testes and the adrenal glands in men. One of its most important functions is in
the female reproductive cycle. When an egg is released from a follicle in the ovary, a corpus luteum is formed from
this empty follicle. The corpus luteum is responsible for the production of progesterone, which prepares the lining
of the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If fertilization and implantation occurs, the corpus luteum
will produce high levels of progesterone for the first twelve to fourteen weeks of the pregnancy. At this time of the
pregnancy, the placenta takes over the continued production of progesterone throughout the rest of the pregnancy. If
a pregnancy is not achieved, progesterone signals the uterine lining to be shed, and another normal cycle begins. It
is this protective effect on the uterine lining which makes progesterone extremely important when taking an estrogen therapy.
Estrogens stimulate the uterine lining. Progesterone maintains the uterine lining if pregnancy occurs. It
also protects the uterine lining through shedding during the fertile years, and finally it desensitizes the uterine lining
to estrogen stimulation during menopause so that it does not become too thick, developing something called hyperplasia.
This thickening of the uterine wall increases a woman’s potential for uterine cancer.
Progesterone is sometimes referred to as the “feel good” hormone
because of its mood-enhancing and calming effects. Progesterone
plays an important role in brain function. There is as much as twenty times more progesterone in the brain cells than
in the blood stream. When progesterone is metabolized, it binds with gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors in the
brain. GABA is an amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter (a chemical transmitter of information between nerve cells)
and has a calming effect on the brain (thus the “feel good” hormone). Low levels of progesterone can cause
increased feelings of anxiety, irritability, and sometimes even anger. In addition to these functions of progesterone,
it can also help regulate and balance other hormones in the body. Progesterone can be used as a basic building block
to form other hormones in the body. Because of its metabolic position in the production of other hormones, it can metabolically
cascade into other hormones, thereby helping to maintain the correct balance of these hormones indirectly but very efficiently.
Progesterone can cascade into DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. Through a direct and indirect cascading effect,
many symptoms of hormone imbalance can be controlled with progesterone, such as PMS, mood swings, irritability, depression,
food cravings, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, night sweats, and loss of enthusiasm or desire for sex. Progesterone
can also control the action of another hormone by competing with it for a receptor. A receptor is a site of attachment
of a hormone, drug, etc. that allows, through this attachment, a specific response from that hormone or drug to occur.
In this way, progesterone can help block the negative effects of having too much of another hormone circulating in the system.
It is through this mechanism that progesterone is thought to control the “estrogen-dominant” effects of having
too much estrogen so often talked about. Estrogens excite and stimulate, while progesterone calms and controls the effects
of estrogen in the body.
Through this delicate balance of estrogen and progesterone, a woman’s
life can be wonderful and happy, or it can be full of problems. When a woman enters perimenopause, a period of time
when a woman is approaching menopause, subtle hormone changes can occur. Perimenopause can start as early as thirty-five.
During these years, progesterone levels can start to decline while estrogen levels remain high. This imbalance
of the ratio of estrogen to progesterone can lead to estrogen dominance. This dominant situation of estrogen is when
the stimulating effects of estrogen are not adequately controlled by progesterone.
Some of the effects of estrogen dominance are: breast tenderness,
decreased sex drive, irritability, decreased thyroid function (which causes a host of thyroid related problems such as: cold
intolerance, low body temperature, fatigue etc.), uterine fibroids, water retention, weight gain, sugar imbalances, and headaches.
Another important role of progesterone is in the building of bone or maintaining
bone mass. One of the great fears of women as they approach advanced age is osteoporosis. This disease causes
the bones to become thinner, weaker, and more prone to fracture. Bone tissue is constantly being “remodeled”
throughout life in two phases. First, cells called osteoclasts travel throughout bone tissue. When they come upon older
bone, they dissolve or reabsorb it, leaving tiny unfilled spaces or pores in their place. Following in the wake of the
osteoclasts are cells called osteoblasts, which enter these spaces and begin construction of new bone tissue. Throughout
youth and into middle age, bone remodeling reflects a balance between these two processes. If the osteoclasts outnumber
the osteoblasts (the destructors outnumber the rebuilders) you have osteoporosis. Both estrogen and progesterone play
key roles in this balance. The osteoclasts are controlled largely by estrogen. Low estrogen allows the osteoclasts
to increase in activity, outnumbering the osteoblasts, and as a result causes an overall loss of bone mass. Progesterone
stimulates the osteoblasts to rebuild bone, but a low progesterone level slows down osteoblast activity, therefore allowing
little to no rebuilding of the bone, and a loss in bone mass results.
It has been argued for years which of these hormones play a greater role
in maintaining bone density. The answer to this should be the balance of the two hormones to one another. For
bones to remain healthy, each must work in harmony in a balanced effort to produce strong bones. When we compare natural
progesterone to a synthetic progestin (a drug company wannabe progesterone), it has three times a greater effect to stimulate
osteoblast activity and rebuild bone.
Progestins are synthetic (not natural to the body) progesterones developed
and exploited by major drug companies. Their effects in the body may be similar in some ways to natural progesterone,
but possess may side effects not seen with natural progesterone. As early as 1972, with the use of birth control pills
containing progestins, these drug companies recognized potential problems with progestins and the heart. They have tried
for years to produce a progestin which was less toxic to the heart. Another disturbing effect of progestins is that
they can destroy the beneficial effects of estrogen in maintaining or raising HDL (the good cholesterol) levels. Natural
progesterone does not harm HDL levels. Progestins can also cause fluid retention, headaches, mood disturbances, and
birth defects. Natural progesterone produces none of these problems.
SOURCE OF NATURAL PROGESTERONE
We compound all of our hormonal preparations using only all-natural
(bio-identical), soy (plant derived), USP grade, micronized, hormone powders. When we say bio-identical, we mean exactly
like the human body produces. We use no animal products. All of our compounded preparations require a prescription
from a licensed practitioner.
SIDE EFFECTS OF NATURAL PROGESTERONE
Some researchers, such as Dalton, concluded after several years
of research that progesterone has no adverse effects in the body. Large doses of oral progesterone, however, may cause
drowsiness.
COMPOUNDED PREPARATIONS AVAILABLE
Oral capsules: Made using natural gelatin
capsules with hormone suspended in a cold pressed natural safflower oil with vitamin E added. Capsules contain NO dyes, NO
peanut oil, and NO other additives. Oil-filled oral capsules are known to give the best absorption of oral hormones.
For best absorption, these should be taken with food. This preparaton usually gives more consistent results when dosed
twice a day.
Strengths: 10-200 mg.
Topical gels: Made using a base known as a hydro-alcoholic gel. USP alcohol is
added for stability and efficacy. The gel base contains NO oils, NO petroleum, and NO perfumes. This type of base has
been used in Europe for years. Gels are designated as (%) or mgs per 1/4 teaspoonful. Apply to inner arms or inner thighs;
NO neck, NO face, and NO mucous membranes. Apply to same area for at least three consecutive days for best results.
This should be dosed twice a day for best results. The little dose spoons we supply with the topical preparations measure
1/8 teaspoonful when leveled off.
Strengths: 1 - 10%. The most common strength is 3% = 30mg per gm. or 37mg per 1/4 teaspoonful.
Combinations: Estrogen, Testosterone, or DHEA can be added to any formulation
