By Dr. Fred Hui

Do you suffer from premenstrual tension? Do you experience menstrual irregularities? Do you feel that your sex drive is declining? If so, you may be have progesterone deficiency—especially if you are around 35 years of age.

What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a natural female hormone. It is produced by the egg shell (corpus luteum) after the egg has hatched out of it. The level of progesterone varies through the menstrual cycle; estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of the cycle and progesterone is the major hormone in the second half of the cycle. A balance of these two hormones is essential for perfect feminine health.

Progesterone has multiple functions in the body:

• It is a precursor of other sex hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone and cortisone;
• It maintains sex drive;
• It protects against endometrial and breast cancer;
• It promotes bone building and protects against osteoporosis;
• It maintains the uterine lining and therefore promotes the survival of the embryo and fetus throughout gestation;
• It protects against fibrocystic breasts;
• It is a natural diuretic and helps control fluid balance in the body;
• It promotes burning of fat for energy (thermogenesis);
• It acts as a natural antidepressant;
• It aids the action of the thyroid hormone; and
• It normalizes blood clotting and blood sugar level.

What happens when the progesterone level declines?
From the age of 35 years, more and more menstrual cycles become anovulatory (without an egg). This causes an imbalance between two major female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is not decreased to the same extent as progesterone. This relative estrogen dominance can be responsible for a host of symptoms such as PMS, decreased sex drive, weight gain (especially around the abdomen, hips and thighs), edema, premenopausal bone loss (which ultimately leads to osteoporosis, breast cancer), uterine cancer, craving for food, depression, menstrual irregularities and even infertility. It all happens long before actual menopause sets in. To counteract these symptoms of estrogen dominance, you need to make up for the deficiency of progesterone by substituting it with natural progesterone.

A hormone imbalance test may help you decide when to begin with natural progesterone supplementation. If you are a female aged 35 years or older and you suffer from at least two of the following symptoms, you are the most likely candidate for substitution with natural progesterone:

• Anxiety or depression/mood swings/weepiness
• Cervical dysplasia (abnormal Pap smear)
• Cyclical or migraine headache
• Early miscarriage
• Foggy thinking
• Gall bladder problems
• Heavy bleeding
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Painful and/or lumpy breasts
• PMS
• Puffiness and bloating
• Rapid weight gain

Early supplementation is important to prevent bone loss and, ultimately, osteoporosis. Bone loss occurs at a rate of 1% per year after 35 years of age, and a rapid acceleration occurs around menopause. Progesterone has the power to reverse osteoporosis and strengthen the fragile bones. It also prevents PMS symptoms, such as hot flashes, weight gain and irregular periods.

Natural vs. synthetic
Supplemental progesterone comes in natural or synthetic form; both types are produced in the laboratory. The one produced from yam and placentas is called natural since it resembles exactly the progesterone poured in to your circulation by the egg shell (corpus luteum). Being identical to natural progesterone, it is readily accepted by the body and it has no side effects. A word of caution however—do not indulge in eating lot of yams. Your body is not equipped with the enzymes necessary to make progesterone from yam; it needs laboratory processing!

Synthetic progesterone is different from the progesterone produced in your body. Your body does not feel at home with it and it may cause many side effects. If you read the information leaflet that comes with the birth control pill, you will see a long list of side-effects, such as birth defects, loss of vision, thrombophelbitis, embolism, cerebral thrombosis, liver dysfunction, breast and genital cancer, fluid retention, migraine, asthma, epilepsy, heart and kidney dysfunction, menstrual irregularities, depression, nervousness, fatigue, decreased glucose tolerance, breast tenderness, acne, alopecia, hirsutism, edema, weight gain, cervical erosions and the list goes on.

In the US, natural progesterone is available in health stores. In Canada, it is only available by prescription and filled by compounding pharmacy. Apply one-quarter teaspoon of the 3% cream anywhere on the skin twice a day for the second half of a period cycle. Postmenopausal women should apply the cream for 21 days and then break for seven days. This is according to the natural rhythm of the body, and it keeps receptors sharp and sensitive.

See the Truestar Plan for Women’s Health for more information.

References