Questions and Answers
When should a person begin
using a natural progesterone creme?
Dr. John Lee, MD, suggests that anyone over thirty become aware of the telltale signs of estrogen dominance: water retention, swelling, bloating, fatigue, lack of energy, breast swelling, fibrocystic breasts, premenstrual mood swings, depression, loss of sexual drive, heavy or irregular menses, uterine fibroids, craving for sweets, weight gain (especially at hips and thighs) and symptoms of low thyroid such as cold hands and feet. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should at least consider a hormone saliva test to determine progesterone levels in the body.
Should everyone have their hormone levels tested and why?
Having a hormone saliva test done is very beneficial. Our hormone levels are very important to our body's overall health, and if these levels aren't correct, our body can suffer unnecessarily. Having a saliva test done is quick, simple and very effective. A saliva test measures "active" hormone in the body so this type of test can be extremely accurate. At a minimum, Dr. David Zava of ZRT Laboratory suggests testing these five hormones: Estradiol, Progesterone, Cortisol, Testosterone and DHEA for both men and women. (Call 877-454-2885 for more information)
What happens if a person
uses too much progesterone creme?
According to Dr. Lee, when it comes to hormone replacement, more is not better. That is why the suggested dose is not the same for every person. Everyone must find the level that is best for their own body. If someone uses too much progesterone creme, then eventually the receptor for that hormone will shut down in their body, and the end result will be no effect, when the whole point of using natural progesterone is to obtain a "protective" effect for the body.
Can men use a natural progesterone creme also?
According to Dr. Lee, men also need progesterone in their bodies and can definitely use a natural progesterone creme. The amount of creme applied is certainly smaller than it is for women, and they should have their saliva tested to determine the proper hormone levels that would be required.
What it is
The word "progesterone" was first proposed by William Allen and George Comer in 1934, when they isolated this newly discovered hormone. Since then, more than 5,000 plants have been identified as containing substances with progesterone like chemistry.
In 1943, Russell Marker successfully manufactured progesterone from the roots of the Mexican yams. With minor conversions in the laboratory, the Mexican yam extract, diosgenin, has been made to match natural progesterone exactly. It is identical to that produced by the body.
What it isn't
Dr. John Lee states the following cautions:
- a "wild yam" extract product that contains only diosgenin, is a precursor to progesterone and other hormones, but it is not progesterone, nor does it turn in to progesterone in the body.
- If someone tells you, including your doctor, that progestins are the same as progesterone, don't believe them. They're not. And they have some nasty side effects as well.
"Progestins are synthetic chemical analogs of progesterone, meaning they have some progesterone like effects. They are chemical alterations of the progesterone molecule and are not the same as progesterone."
- Progestins are not found any where in nature and are foreign to the human body.
- An ample supply of progesterone is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Even a small amount of progestins can cause birth defects.
For more information see Hormones & related articles that link off that page.
