NATURAL PROGESTERONE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY - John R. Lee, MD*, successfully treated female patients with natural progesterone cream for over 15 years. Dr. Lee 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% of North American women are severely deficient in progesterone by age 35 and, during menopausal years, progesterone levels decrease by 40%-60%. Dr. Lee defined this as “estrogen dominance.” When this imbalance occurs, estrogen be-comes toxic to the body. Treatment with natural progesterone restores the balance between estrogen and progesterone, eliminating the need for synthetic therapy, and the undesirable side effects.

NATURAL WOMAN PROGESTERONE CREAM - The most effective way to restore physiologic, equivalent to normal body function, progesterone levels is by properly supplementing with transdermally applied natural progesterone. Products of Nature’s Natural Woman Progesterone Cream is a technologically advanced - light, greaseless, moisturizing formula with 960mg. of natural progesterone in a hypoallergenic, aloe vera base that won’t clog pores and is color and fragrance free.

Application of natural progesterone cream:
Natural progesterone (derived from the Mexican wild yam) in a moisturizing cream can be applied to the face, palms, chest, neck, inner arms, inner thighs, and in cases of osteoporosis, to the entire spine. The cream is readily absorbed and leaves no trace after a few minutes. During absorption the cream bypasses the liver and goes 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 than others to help alleviate symptoms. For the first 3 months, use one 2 oz. jar per month. Then reduce the amount of natural progesterone each month. If symptoms return, resume previous usage. Important: Stop using progesterone cream at least 5 days per month.

Should I use progesterone?
YES, if you have PMS symptoms (symptoms which occur consistently 7-10 days before the period and stop with or shortly thereafter); if you have estrogen dominance symptoms (water retention, breast swelling, fibrosystic breast, uterine fibroid, loss of libido, mood swings, depression, craving for sweets, weight gain, fat deposited at hips and thighs); if you have menopausal symptoms (estrogen continues to be produced from fat in cells even after menopause, but, progesterone production virtually ends. Hot flashes are the most prominent symptoms.): if you have osteoporosis (Women over 50 years of age should use natural progesterone cream to prevent osteoporosis.)

When to use natural progesterone cream:
If you are still menstruating, use ¼ tsp. twice daily after ovulation (usually 12-14 days from the first day of menstrual flow). You don’t need natural progesterone while menstruating, but if you have menstrual cramps try rubbing a small amount of cream on the lower abdomen. For migraines, rub cream on nape of neck.

If you have menopausal symptoms and are still menstruating, use ¼ tsp. of cream twice daily beginning with the 8th day from day one of menstruation onset until the next menstruation cycle begins. If you have menopausal symptoms and are not menstruating. have osteoporosis or for prevention of osteoporosis, use ¼ tsp. of cream twice daily beginning on the 6th day of each calendar month and continue for the rest of month.

How does natural progesterone differ from synthetic progesterone?
Natural progesterone, a cholesterol derivative comes from the Mexican yam. It matches exactly the chemical formulation of the body’s own progesterone. Manufacturers alter the chemical makeup of progesterone to create progestins. Progestins in their altered structure may cause side effects (birth defects, abortion, fluid retention, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac or kidney dysfunction and depression.

Natural progesterone and endometriosis or fibrocystic breast:
There are many factors that affect both of these conditions, a common one is a higher level of circulation estrogen, indicating a hormonal imbalance. Progesterone is the precursor hormone and helps to normalize all other endocrine and hormonal activity in the body. In this case, helping to lower the body’s estrogen level and thus, possibly helping to clear these conditions.

Natural hormones and vaginal dryness:
Vaginal dryness can occur in women of all ages for various reasons, but is primarily present in post-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?
NO. It is very important that natural progesterone be used with any estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone can cause endometrial and vaginal carcinomas. Estrogen blocks thyroid production causing water retention; and it can cause fibrocystic breast disease, even fibroid tumors and cysts in the ovary area.

No prescription needed:
Natural hormones in a cream or oil base come from the Mexican yam, which is a food product.

Why should I switch to natural hormones?
Natural hormones are simply an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Synthetic progesterone (progestins) has many side effects, and synthetic estrogen can be dangerous to your health, especially if taken without progesterone. If taking both synthetic estrogen and progestins, gradually substitute natural progesterone cream; and reduce the synthetic estrogen. (Reduce estrogen by ½ and continue reducing over 90 days until discontinued use.)

Will I start menstruating again after menopause if I use natural hormones?
Occasionally, after starting to use natural hormone supplement, a post-menopausal woman could have some breakthrough bleeding, or a “period.” This is normal and shouldn’t cause alarm. The progesterone is causing the body to rid itself of excess stored estrogen which may stimulate a uterine shedding - thus breakthrough bleeding. If this continues for longer than several months, consult a physician.

What causes facial hair?
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 both facial and body hair decreased or disappeared after using cream twice daily for 3 - 6 months. Natural progesterone is needed to effect proper hormonal balance.

Is natural progesterone useful for hysterectomized, oophorectomized and menopausal women?
Yes. Many women experience hot flashes following pre-menopausal hysterectomy, oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), and in the beginning of the natural onset of menopause. The cream which contains natural progesterone is effective for relieving hot flashes. Most women have reported a complete cessation of flushing within 3 to 8 weeks.

Natural progesterone and osteoporosis:
Many medical authorities tell female patients who are post-menopausal that osteoporosis is inevitable. A physician in Mill Valley, California, John R. Lee, has proven that this often repeated statement is simply untrue. The results of his ongoing clinical study with 68 women is noteworthy. All have experienced new bone density ranging from 5% to 40% for women who have used natural progesterone cream from 6 to 48 months. His results also indicated this therapy is successful even several decades after menopause.

Natural progesterone and a family history of breast or uterine cancer:
Natural progesterone is recommended. Breast and endometrial cancers are related to gonadal hormones. They occur in tissues sensitive to these hormones. Unopposed estrogen is the only known cause of endometrial cancer but there may be other factors. Estrogen, or one or more of the various estrogens, are thought to contribute to breast cancer.

Are there any other benefits of natural progesterone use?
Additional benefits for women include: improved brain function and sleep pattern, fewer muscle aches and pains, improved skin problems (acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis and keratoses).

* This information has been taken from Dr. Lee’s two books, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” and “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause.” (Reprinted with permission)

MENOPAUSE MANAGEMENT – NATURALLY

The Women’s Health Initiative was halted in 2002 because it found that using synthetic estrogen and progestins produced 41% more strokes, 29% more heart attacks and 26% more breast cancer. Numerous articles were written about these results and then after a few months mention of them faded away. In spite of the WHI’s negative findings, the pharmaceutical industry’s response was to just lower the dosage of estrogen/progestin in their medications but to continue to market them.

A woman’s body produces, among others, estrogen and progesterone. When estrogen and progesterone are in balance, a woman’s menstrual cycle is usually normal.

Between the ages of 30 to 50 women often experience the following: fibroids, PMS, difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term, sudden weight gain, fatigue, irritability and depression, foggy thinking, memory loss, migraine headaches, very heavy or light period, bleeding between periods, or cold hands and feet. These symptoms are part of pre-menopause. Progesterone, during this period, declines 120 times more rapidly than estrogen. The woman then becomes “estrogen dominant”, a term coined by the late Dr. John R. Lee.

In her late 40’s or early 50’s a woman reaches menopause (not having a period for twelve months). Additional symptoms that may appear include: “hot flashes”, panic attacks, dry and burning eyes, hair loss and night sweats. The possibility of osteoporosis and dementia often occurs as aging continues. At menopause, progesterone production drops to zero, while the body continues to make some estrogen.

When these symptoms begin to occur, natural or bio-identical progesterone is recommended by Drs. Lee, Randolph, Northrup, and Leonetti, among others who have written extensively about menopause. Natural progesterone, synthesized from wild yam or soy, is identical to the progesterone produced in a woman’s body before menopause. Progestin, on the other hand, is a synthetic and is basically produced from pregnant mares’ urine. What’s confusing is that in print ads, progestin is often called progesterone (the medical community also does this), even though they are not the same thing. Then the ad is followed by a lengthy description of the possible side effects after using them. A similar ad for natural progesterone, if allowed, would be followed by a blank page or silence. There are no known side effects.

Natural Woman Progesterone Cream, meets Dr. Lee’s specifications and is listed in his books and website. It is the purest natural progesterone available having progesterone as its only active ingredient. It contains no chemicals and is paraben free. Information about how to use natural progesterone is available upon request.

Products of Nature carries all of Dr. Lee’s books, as well as an excellent 90 minute DVD recorded solely for us by Dr. Lee.

The information above is taken from Dr. Lee’s books, The Estrogen Alternative by Raquel Martin and Judi Gerstung, D.C., From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well, by C. W. Randolph, M.D. and Menopause, by Helene Leonetti, M.D.