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What
is natural progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone. It is produced by the ovaries in
women and by the testes and adrenals in men (though in lower amounts).
Progesterone is not a sex characteristic determining hormone (as is
estrogen for female development and testosterone for male development).
Progesterone is crucial to our biological balance, well-being and overall
good health, as it serves to balance the effects of estrogen on the
human body - among other things.
Progesterone is NOT found to exist anywhere outside the human body.
It is in fact synthesized through some elegant chemistry from herbal
extracts - such as those from wild yams, or soy. It is called "natural"
to signify that it is the identical molecule to that produced by the
human body itself, and hence treated by the human anatomy as a part
of its own - and not as a foreign substance.
Progesterone is copiously produced during pregnancy and is extremely
important to fetus development. In fact the name is derived from - Pro
- gestation - hormone.
Hence pro-gesta-rone.
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Can I
test for my levels of progesterone and other hormones?
Yes. The most reliable and accurate method for determining your
levels of Progesterone, Estradiol, Testosterone, DHEA and other hormones
is with a saliva assay test. This test method has been used extensively
and nearly exclusively by The World Health Organizations (WHO) for nearly
15 years. Blood tests are inherently less accurate, often resulting
in falsely low estrogen readings initiating doctors to prescribe high
doses of prescription estrogenic drugs inappropriately (see saliva versus
blood test article in our web-site). Saliva assay test kits are available
from our company.
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Why does
my body fail to produce enough progesterone?
Mother Nature has not abandoned us nor made a mistake with our generation.
Our foods, drugs, environmental pollutants and profit driven medical
industries have brought on many of our ills. Progesterone deficiency,
more specifically estrogen dominance (as Dr. Lee refers to it) is an
unfortunate condition of industrialized countries. Since 1948 over 70,000
new made-made chemicals have been introduced into our environment, less
than 3% have even been tested for toxicity. Menopausal problems, osteoporosis,
breast cancer were issues nearly unknown to our grandparent's generation.
While a large population of women in our country suffers from severe
health problems, women in non-industrialized countries do not suffer
from these same problems. Populations who consume wholesome and natural
foods that are free of pesticides, growth hormones and petrochemical
fertilizers are not by-in-large progesterone deficient. Dr. Lee firmly
believes that western women are progesterone deficient and estrogen
dominant directly due to their exposure and consumption of too many
estrogenic substances commonly occurring in foods and industrial environments.
Dr. Lee, Sherrill Sellman and a host of health authorities have observed
that high stress levels compound these factors. Ovaries, overwhelmed
by these conditions, cease to produce progesterone. Now the burden of
progesterone production is shifted to an already exhausted adrenal cortex
and brain. These organs are not able to sustain sufficient progesterone
and critical corticosteroid levels either, furthering severe progesterone
deficiencies. It is this chain-reaction which Dr. Lee suggests cause
the condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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What
are the differences between synthetic and natural progesterone?
Synthetic progesterones (called 'Progestins') are drugs created
and manufactured by drug companies. They are patented molecules not
found in nature or our bodies. Because there are known side-effects,
they are only available by prescription and require physician oversight.
Synthetic
progesterone once inside your body seeks out and resides in the cells,
which have progesterone receptor capabilities. Synthetic progestins
like Provera, being unnatural to the body, initiate many undesirable
side effects. Taking one of the strange, not-found-in-nature synthetic
hormones (the 'Pill' and HRT) created by the drug companies is likely
to confuse your body and throw it into a state of imbalance. These drugs
are created not because they work better than natural hormones but rather
because they can be patented, and patent drugs have much higher price
tag than natural substances.
Natural
progesterone is the identical molecule to that produced in the ovary,
adrenals and testes of the human body. Natural progesterone supplements
have no side effects.
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Why are
doctors so uninformed about natural progesterone?
Natural Progesterone supplementation is not taught in medical school.
Therefore, when the topic of natural progesterone is discussed with
conventionally trained doctors they do not fully comprehend progesterone's
functions nor realize the dangerous consequences of prescribing synthetic
progesterones such as Progestins and branded drugs like Provera, Prempro
and Premarin.
Dr. Lee
laments those doctors to whom he speaks to about his Natural Progesterone.
Researchers rarely dispute the ramifications of his work, but few are
willing to consider safer alternatives to the hard-wired use of synthetic
hormones. The obstacle is that what he reports has not yet been included
in medical school curricula and textbooks. This hot topic is totally
ignored by pharmaceutical publications upon which doctors rely upon
for ongoing education.
Doctors
are often over-worked and unable to read and absorb the whole story
behind the research and side-effects of mainstream drugs. If natural
supplements are not covered in the seminars and on-going 'education'
provided by major pharmaceutical companies, the message is lost or worse
yet discredited.
In the case
of natural progesterone and its synthetic patented versions, most doctors
are grossly misguided. Their reference files of 'Progesterone' are often
filled with 'spin' advertisements and propaganda promoting synthetic
Progestins (Provera etc.) blatantly ignoring its adverse effects and
alternative natural progesterone choices. Even the prestigious Harvard
Medical School recently published research work confirming the cancer
causing effects of synthetic progesterones but did not use the correct
terminology differentiating natural from synthetic progesterone.
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What
are the health benefits of natural progesterone cream?
Supplementing with natural progesterone cream brings about many
healthful benefits.
In a healthy,
balanced young woman, progesterone is produced in the corpus luteum
at the time of ovulation. Non-ovulating women are often progesterone
deficient yet unaware of it because they appear to have normal menstrual
cycles. Studies of young female athletes suffering from osteoporosis,
have confirmed that extreme exercise had 'turned off' their ovulation
causing severely low levels of progesterone which is a critical hormone
to normal bone growth and regeneration.
Normal progesterone
levels in a healthy woman are about 20-30 mg (per deci-liter of blood)
per day, peaking in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Pregnant
women produce 300 - 400 mg per day. Natural progesterone is critically
important to a healthy developing fetus.
Progesta
Plus natural progesterone cream supplements your own body's reserve
of progesterone. Applied as a skin cream, progesterone enters the body
whole and fully biologically active. Unlike pills which must survive
stomach, intestinal and liver metabolism, topically applied progesterone
enters the skin layers of fatty tissues and slowing and evenly dispenses
into the blood stream to be used as required by the body to balance
and negate the toxic effects of estrogen dominance.
Medical
knowledge substantiates the benefits of natural progesterone supplementation.
Functions of NATURAL
PROGESTERONE (real):
Protects against endometrial
cancer
Protects against breast cancer
Protects against fibrocystic breasts
Stimulates osteoclast bone building (Osteoporosis Reversal)
Helps use fat for energy
Natural Diuretic
Natural antidepressant
Restores sex drive (Libido)
Normalizes zinc and copper levels
Facilitates thyroid hormone action
Normalizes blood sugar levels
Normalizes blood clotting
Restores proper oxygen cell levels
Precursor of corticosteroids (Arthritis)
Protects against ovarian cancer
Causes less hirsuitis, regrowth of scalp hair
Improves lipid profile
Improves vitro fertilization
Improves new bone formation
Decreases risk of coronary vasospasm
Facilitates thyroid hormone action
Usually effective in treating PMS
Is essential for successful pregnancy
Is essential for myelinization of nerves
Restores normal sleep patterns
Is precursor of other steroid hormones
Is essential for male prostate health as well
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What
are the side effects associated with natural progesterone?
No known side effects exist with the regular use of natural progesterone.
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What
are the effects of synthetic Progestin (Provera) - and what is the difference
between Progestin and Natural Bio-identical Progesterone?
Progestins are a class of synthetic compunds that are similar to
progesterone - but have differences in the chemical composition and
make up. They are what is known as "analogs" to progesterone
and the human body reacts to progestins like it does to foreign substances.
(They have been developed by pharmaceutical companies so as to make
them patentable and a source of revenue. Their effects however, can
be quite harmful - see below.)
Bio-identical
progesterone is the name of a single hormone an is identical to that
produced by the human body.
Effects of synthetic PROGESTIN (Provera):
Increases sodium and water
in body cells
Causes loss of mineral electrolytes from cells
Causes intracellular edema
Causes depression
Increases birth defects risks
Causes facial hirsutism, loss of scalp hair
Cause thrombophlebitis, embolism risk
Decreases glucose tolerance
Causes allergic reactions
Increases risk for cholestaic jaundice
Causes acne, skin rashes
Increases risk of coronary vasospasm
Prevents implantation of fertilized ovum
*source:
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You," John R. Lee, MD
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What
is estrogen dominance?
Dr. Lee has coined the term "estrogen dominance," to describe what
happens when the normal ratio or balance of estrogen to progesterone
is changed by excess estrogen or inadequate progesterone. Estrogen is
a potent and potentially dangerous hormone when not balanced by adequate
progesterone.
Both women
who have suffered from PMS and women who have suffered from menopausal
symptoms, will recognize the hallmark symptoms of estrogen dominance:
weight gain, bloating, mood swings, irritability, tender breasts, headaches,
fatigue, depression, hypoglycemia, uterine fibroids, endometriosis,
and fibrocystic breasts. Estrogen dominance is known to cause and/or
contribute to cancer of the breast, ovary, endometrium (uterus), and
prostate.
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What
effects of estrogen dominance does natural progesterone help to alleviate?
Natural progesterone can help alleviate many effects of estrogen
dominance.
Acceleration of aging
process
Allergy symptoms such as; asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion
Autoimmune disorders such as; Lupus erythematosis, thyroiditis and possibly
Sjogren's disease
Breast cancer
Breast tenderness
Cervical dysplasia
Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction
Copper excess
Decreased sex drive
Depression, anxiety or agitation
Dry eyes
Early onset of menstruation
Endometrial (uterine) cancer
Fat gain, especially around the abdomen, hips, and thighs
Fatigue
Fibrocystic breasts
Foggy thinking
Gallbladder disease
Hair loss
Headaches
Hypoglycemia
Increased blood clotting (increasing risk of strokes)
Infertility
Irregular menstrual periods
Irritability
Insomnia
Magnesium deficiency
Memory loss
Mood swings
Osteoporosis
PMS
Polycystic ovaries
Pre-menopausal bone loss
Prostate cancer
Sluggish metabolism
Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism
Uterine cancer
Uterine fibroids
Water retention, bloating
Zinc deficiency
*source:
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You," John R. Lee, MD
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What
is meant by 'Progesterone U.S.P.'?
U.S.P. is short for 'United States Pharmacopoeia'. This organization
sets international standards of purity for products used in the manufacture
of drugs and cosmetics. 'U.S.P.' next to the word 'Progesterone" assures
you that the progesterone being used is identical what the human body
produces. U.S.P. Progesterone is natural, unlike synthetic versions
such as 'progestins' and 'progestogens'.
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Will
Wild Mexican Yam produce the same benefits as natural progesterone?
No, it cannot. Wild yam is a repository of many wonderful substances,
but wild yam and its extract cannot be converted by the human body into
progesterone. Deep in the root of the Wild yam is fatty substance called
diosgenin. Locked within it lies the natural progesterone molecule that
must be synthesized out by a competent pharmaceutical grade laboratory.
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What
are the ingredients of Progesta Plus brand natural progesterone cream?
All our ingredients are naturally sourced, listed in order of concentration/volume:
Herbal extracts
of:
- Aloe Vera (boosts
immune system; provides many nutrients for preventing or fighting
infection)
- Ginseng (invigorating;
increases blood flow; boosts metabolism; antibiotic; increases concentration)
- Red Clover (reduces
premenstrual discomfort & aids menopausal ailments/ occupies estrogen
receptors)
- Wild Yam (effective
in treating, uterine and abdominal spasms, acts as an emotional relaxant).
- Shea Butter (soothing
moisturizer, aids cell regeneration and capillary circulation, reduces
joint & swelling pain)
- Phospholipid/Liposomes
(superb skin transfer carrier for dosage consistency and capillary
absorption)
- Natural Progesterone
U.S.P. (micronized)
- Glycerine (vegetable
based emulsifier oil; stabilizer)
- Vitamin E (anti-oxidant;
prevents free radical damage; helps treat fibrocystic breasts; improves
stamina; eases menopause)
- Potassium sorbate
(extract from blueberries acts as a natural preservative)
- Polysaccharides (from
mushrooms; strengthen & fortify natural defense, slow down the aging
processes)
- Evening Primrose Oil
(helps relieve PMS; aids autoimmune system; reduces depression)
- Citric Acid (natural
anti-oxidant & stabilizer)
- Vitamin A (helps cells
reproduce normally: maintain healthy membranes; prevents invasion
by disease-causing microorganisms; stimulates immunity)
- Allantoin (water-soluble
crystal; helps to heal wounds; encourages healthy tissue growth)
- Isoflavones (contributes
to dramatic drops in cholesterol, phyto-estrogen blocker/balancer)
- Panthenol (vitamin
B5; role in metabolism fats, carbohydrates & proteins, fosters growth
& maintenance of body tissues; delays onset of fatigue; improves ability
to heal)
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How is
Progesta Plus packaged?
Progesta Plus is packed in our exclusive sealed pump dispenser that
pre-measures each dose of fresh potent product. Progesta Plus contains
440 mg. of natural progesterone per ounce (1,320 mg per container).
Thanks to our exclusive effective use of Liposomes, users are always
assured of a consistent, correct daily dosage of 20 mg per pump amount.
Our superior formulation does not contain alcohol, lanolin, petroleum
bases, urea and/or other lower cost ingredients that we felt were non-essential
and might cause consumer concerns or allergic reactions. We've improved
Progesta Plus brand with costly transdermally effective Liposomes (for
better skin transfer, dosage consistency and capillary absorption) and
Red Clover and Isoflavones (natural organic estrogen balancers).
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Why is
progesterone most effective when delivered as a skin cream?
Transdermal skin absorption has been found to be the most efficient
means of introducing Natural Progesterone to the body. Research has
proven that pills are not effectively and reliably absorbed through
the stomach and intestines due to varying conditions such as gut health,
food content, acids and alkalines, fat-to-bile contact and liver metabolism
of a fat-soluble hormone. When comparing progesterone cream applied
to the skin to that of a pill, it would require nearly ten times the
quantity orally to equal that of the cream. Oral doses would also be
subject to liver interaction, while a skin cream dose of progesterone
will by-pass the liver on its first cycle through the body.
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Does
Progesta Plus have a long shelf life?
Yes. Progesta Plus has a shelf life of at least two years. Actual
shelf life is somewhat longer. Unlike open-mouth exposed open jars,
our unique unitized pump container is hygienically sealed and airtight.
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How do
estrogen and progesterone effect bone health?
Bones, like skin, blood and hair, are living growing organs. Though
much slower growing, bones do have a cycle of repair, replacement and
growth. There are two functioning cell groups that take care of bone
maintenance and health; 'Osteoclasts' and the 'Osteoblasts'. Osteoclasts
are little 'PacMen' like cells that remove old, worn-out, crystallized
bone cells. Behind them come the osteoblasts, which repair and rejuvenate
bones using Vitamin D and over 17 different minerals (not just calcium!).
Osteoporosis is not considered a 'disease' as much as a nutritional
and hormonal deficiency condition.
According
to the research of Dr. John Lee and Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior (re: Sherrill
Sellman's Hormone Heresy book) Estrogen does not benefit osteoporosis
conditions. Estrogen retards the rate of measurable bone loss by inhibiting
the osteoclasts removal of old bone tissue but does not reverse or cure
osteoporosis (leading to higher rates of fractures in women who seem
to be reducing osteoporosis with synthetic hormones). Though some studies
have shown that a lack of estrogen increases a substance called interleukin-6
(associated with bone growth and loss), Dr. Lee's research and patient
follow-up studies demonstrate that the effectiveness of estrogen in
reducing bone loss is only noticeable during the five years following
menopause. After that five-year period, estrogen is not effective in
moderating bone loss (which continues at the same rate as in those women
not using any estrogen supplementation). All the unbiased evidence supports
the obvious fact that the actual reduced rate of bone loss maybe relevant
to the levels of progesterone, not estrogen.
Dr. Lee's
research, and that of Dr. Jerilynn Prior, confirm that the missing factor
in bone loss is low levels of progesterone. Supplementing with natural
Progesterone stimulates osteoblast activity in building new bone tissue
and mass in bone areas where healthy active osteoclasts had removed
worn out bone cells.
The book,
Hormone Heresy, reports the results of a three-year study of
63 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. These women, using transdermal
progesterone cream, experienced an average 7 to 8 per cent bone-mass
density increase in the first year, 4 to 5 per cent in the second year,
and 3 to 4 per cent in the third year. Untreated women in this age category
typically lose 1.5 per cent bone-mass density per year. Such results
have not been found with any other form of hormone replacement therapy
or dietary supplementation. A remarkable finding of Dr. Lee's research
is that natural progesterone not only prevents osteoporosis, it will
actually reverse it! Dr. Lee (and subsequent research findings) have
confirmed that women using a 20 mg progesterone skin cream dose a day,
saw a 15% increase of bone mineral density in the first year with and
total of 30% bone mass increase over 3 years. Osteoblast cells (responsible
for making new bone) do have progesterone receptors but do not have
estrogen receptors. This means that progesterone (the natural form,
not the synthetic progestins) is responsible, for building bone tissue,
not estrogen.
To further
support and enhance progesterone's ability to treat osteoporosis, Dr.
Lee recommends a low-protein diet with leafy greens, legumes and whole
grains. One should avoid sodas and limit alcohol consumption. Supplement
with Vitamin C, B-6, D, Beta-carotene, magnesium, Zinc, Calcium and
routine exercise, 30 minutes/day three times a week.
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What
is PMS? Can progesterone relieve its symptoms?
PMS was non-existent a century ago, and an unrecognized condition
just one generation ago. It's no coincidence that PMS symptoms closely
match those of estrogen dominance (excess) and predominantly associated
with women residing in industrialized countries.
PMS is a
collection of symptoms that occur one week to ten days before menses.
Women often report its debilitating symptoms as all or some of the following:
bloating
weight gain
headache
backache
depression
irritability
breast swelling or tenderness
loss of libido and fatigue
PMS is a
classic case of hormonal imbalance. Women suffering PMS have lower than
normal levels of progesterone (for that point of time in their cycle)
while estrogen levels jump abnormally high. Natural progesterone supplementation
therapy has proven to be highly effective for PMS.
Niels Lauersen,
M.D., and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New York Medical
College have reported: "In my practice, hundreds of women who were severely
handicapped by PMS have been completely symptom-free with natural progesterone."
Dr. Katarina
Dalton, who administered high dosages of progesterone (as a rectal suppository)
with excellent results, has further substantiated successful treatment
of PMS with progesterone. She notes: "target cells containing progesterone
receptors are widespread in the body, although most are found in the
brain, particularly in the limbic area which controls emotion and rage.
The other receptor sites where progesterone should be received are the
eyes, nose, throat, lungs, breast, liver, adrenals, uterus and vagina.
All these symptoms of PMS may occur such as headaches, asthma, laryngitis,
pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, mastitis, alcohol intolerance and
congestive dysmenorrhoea" Dr. Dalton asserts that progesterone deficiency
is a major factor in the majority of PMS cases.
Dr. Lee,
in his practice, noted that his women PMS patients who used progesterone
cream achieved: "...impressive results. The majority (but not all) of
these patients reported remarkable improvements including elimination
of their water retention and weight gain."
Dr. Joel
Hargrove of Vanderbilt University Medical Center has published results
indicating a 90% success rate when treating PMS with natural progesterone.
For the 10% of PMS sufferers who don't see relief from progesterone
supplementation, help is possible with changes in diet, stress control,
aromatic therapy and homeopathic and herbal treatments.
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How can
I improve my Libido (sex drive)?
Low Libido has erroneously been associated with low estrogen levels.
Doctors have been disregarding the fact women complaining of lost sex
drive were having normal menses (signifying normal estrogen levels were
present) yet these same women were not ovulating (indicating low or
severely deficient progesterone levels). It is now widely recognized
that the absence of progesterone (not estrogen) causes suppressed sexual
drive (low libido).
Until recently
doctors were prescribing Testosterone to improve libido. That treatment
has been discredited because of the masculinizing effects of testosterone.
Informed doctor now knows that the correct and safe treatment choice
is natural progesterone.
At ovulation,
progesterone levels elevate and sexual drives are enhanced. Women not
ovulating are not producing progesterone. This fact, comments Dr. Lee,
supports the observation that anovulating women (women with normal menstrual
cycles but not ovulating) are more common than thought. It's prevalent
among relatively young women in the United States complaining of low
sexual drive.
Sex hormones
and the brain control libido. Certain areas of the brain (identified
in animals) are crucial to sexual receptivity. When one of these areas
is destroyed in laboratory experiments, sexual active behavior is lost
and estrogen hormone supplements has little effect. Other researchers,
using female hamsters with their ovaries removed, confirmed that subsequent
estrogen supplementation could not restore sexual receptivity until
progesterone was re-introduced. The inference is that estrogen "primes"
the brains cells and progesterone "turns on" the sex drive.
Dr. John
R. Lee has observed, over many years of practice, many of his premenopausal
patients were less interested in sex than those approaching menopause.
The difference he says, had to do with estrogen dominance (resulting
from monthly periods without progesterone) as it occurred with women
not ovulating (anovulatory) These women also had estrogen dominance
symptoms such as water retention, fibrocystic breasts, depression, wrinkling
skin, vaginal dryness, irregular and/or heavy periods. Dr. Lee observed
that these were classic symptoms of a progesterone deficiency caused
by a failure to ovulate even though estrogen continued to be produced
by the body. Loss of sex drive correlates directly with progesterone
deficiencies, not estrogen deficiencies.
Clinical
observations, over a number of years, has clearly demonstrated that
low libido is restored to normal in patients using progesterone supplementation.
Dr. Lee comments, in his book, that his patients reported that their
sex life, with progesterone therapy, was better than at any time in
the 10 to15 years before menopause. Properly formulated natural progesterone
cream rejuvenates normal sex drive.
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What
about Thyroid function and hormonal imbalances?
Your Thyroid produces a hormone that regulates the body's metabolic
rate. Low thyroid activity tends to cause low energy levels, cold intolerance
and weight gain. Excess thyroid activity stimulates higher energy levels,
feeling too warm and weight loss. (Iodine is a crucial nutrient to thyroid
hormone synthesis and is a common additive to table salt).
Estrogen,
progesterone and thyroid hormones are complementary. Estrogen tells
the body to turn food into fat while thyroid and progesterone hormones
tell the body to burn fat for energy. Thyroid hormone and estrogen balance
each other's effects Dr. Lee has successfully treated patients, diagnosed
with hyperthyroidism (excessive production of the thyroid gland) with
natural progesterone therapy. Hyperthyroidism is sometimes caused by
excessive L-thyroxin supplementation, which accelerates bone loss, leading
to osteoporosis.
Another
common thyroid dysfunction is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune
inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland. Simply put, the body is
creating antibodies against the cells that make up the thyroid gland.
As this disease progresses, cells of the thyroid are destroyed and inflammation
occurs leading to fibrous deterioration of the entire thyroid gland.
It has been Dr. Lee's experience that when women with Hashimoto thyroiditis
were given progesterone for osteoporosis therapy, a gradual diminution
of the severity of the disease itself resulted, sometimes a complete
resolution of the thyroiditis occurred. He suggests that a number of
factors are at play that produced such unexpected and spontaneous healing:
1) Excess estrogen may have had a hand at triggering the antibodies
in the first instance. 2) When estrogen dominance was corrected (with
progesterone) there was a correction of the thyroid problem. 3) Progesterone
is a precursor of corticosteroids. In progesterone deficient women the
restoring of normal progesterone levels brought about a normalization
corticosteroid production thus suppressing the autoimmune attacks.
Dr. Lee
has hypothesized that estrogens inhibit thyroid action in our cells
inducing a hypothyroid (under active thyroid) condition (despite normal
serum levels of thyroid hormone readings). Symptoms of hypothyroidism,
occurring in his patients with unopposed estrogen (progesterone deficiency),
lessened when progesterone was added and hormone balance restored.
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What
is menopause?
Menopause is medically defined as going a year or more without menstrual
cycles. The uncomfortable symptoms of menopause that many women suffer
(i.e. hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and the like) are epidemic
to women living in industrialized places.
Menopause
has been marketed and defined, by pharmaceutical companies, as the ending
of a woman's sexuality; a slow painful miserable decline into old age,
arthritis, osteoporosis and deterioration. But in fact, there is no
reason why women should not expect a fulfilling, enjoyable maturing
life span! Dr. Lee, Sherrill Sellman and enlightened health providers
everywhere are working hard to dispel this cruel and untrue perceptions.
They encourage good-sense life styles changes that include wholesome
pure foods, exercise, appropriate supplements and the use of natural
Progesterone cream.
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What
does progesterone have to do with menopause?
As a woman's ovulatary cycles become more infrequent and then cease,
progesterone and estrogen levels decline. Progesterone output tends
to fall to almost zero while estrogen declines to about 40% to 50% of
pre-menopausal levels.
If we lived
in an ideal world where foods were wholesome and varied; water, air,
environments clean, pure and natural; women would not suffer from menopausal
symptoms. But the cruel fact is that most women are exposed daily to
petro-chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, growth hormones,
dairy/beef/poultry steroid additives, 'The Pill, HRT and xeno-estrogenic
compounds. Estrogen excesses are a regrettable 'way of life'.
It is under
these circumstances that the imbalance between estrogen and progesterone
has evolved. Estrogen dominance is a real and present danger. Fortunately
there are effective, safe, natural alternatives to protect, remedy and
reverse the damages of Estrogen Dominance. Natural progesterone is one
of these choices.
Millions
of women have found that by supplementing their hormone production with
natural progesterone, they've been able to reduce most of their menopausal
maladies. And there's an added benefit. When normal progesterone levels
are maintained in the body, estrogen supplementation is rarely needed.
Progesterone prepares estrogen receptors sites to work more efficiently
thereby making better use of your own, naturally occurring estrogen.
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Why does
menopause cause hair loss?
The most common cause of hair loss is low thyroid function. When
progesterone levels fall (due to cessation of ovulation) the body increases
production of the adrenal cordical steroids and and rostenedione. Androstenedione
imparts some male characteristics, one of which includes hair loss in
women. But when progesterone levels are raised with supplemental application
of natural progesterone cream, androstenedione levels fall and normal
hair growth resumes. Renewed hair growth usually occurs within four
to six months from the time that natural progesterone supplementation
begins.
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Is there
a relationship between weight gain and menopause?
Yes, a strong interaction exists with fat and estrogen. Apart from
your ovaries, fat is the second most potent manufacturer of estrogen
in your body. Over-weight women get caught in a vicious cycle whereby
increased body fat raises estrogen levels and then the increased estrogen
instructs the body to store more food as body fat. One of progesterone's
functions is to turn fat into energy, countering the estrogenic message
of 'food-to-fat'. With the onset of menopause, many women gain 10, 15,
or more pounds. Decreased progesterone with proportionately more estrogen
is the reason. Estrogen promotes water retention too, while progesterone
acts as a diuretic. Estrogen dominance causes lowered thyroid function
conversely slowing down metabolism and therefore weight gain. Natural
progesterone also normalizes weight by countering estrogen dominance.
Progesterone re-sensitizes thyroid hormone receptors thereby boosting
thyroid activity in the body.
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What
are the health consequences of hysterectomy?
Author of the book Hormone Heresy, Sherrill laments... "It
is staggering to think how many thousands or millions of women have
been doomed to a crippled old age or early death because their ovaries
and/or uterus were unnecessarily removed before menopause and natural
progesterone replacement was ignored." Dr. Stanley West, chief of endocrinology
and infertility at St. Vincent's hospital in New York and author of
The Hysterectomy Hoax, believes that a hysterectomy is never necessary
unless the woman has cancer. Dr. West points out that the majority of
hysterectomies have more to do with out dated views of medical practitioners
than any physical problem that women are having.
The most
common reason women are convinced that they need a hysterectomy is the
fearful bleeding caused by uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids, Dr. Lee
documents, can be reduced in size by the use of natural progesterone
to a degree where they are harmless. After menopause, fibroids usually
disappear altogether.
Signs of
menopause can occur in women as early as the mid-thirties in the form
of anovalatory cycles (menstrual cycles in which a woman does not ovulate)
leading to estrogen dominance and a myriad of symptoms related to estrogen
dominance including weight gain, fatigue, depression, mood swings, fluid
retention and uterine fibroids. When these symptoms are experienced,
they can usually be resolved by balancing hormones naturally by regularly
applying a high quality natural progesterone cream.
A total
hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's entire uterus and
ovaries. Removal of the ovaries has recently gone out of medical fashion.
Doctors are now telling their patients that by not removing the ovaries,
hormones will continue to be produced. "That is not accurate", Dr. Lee
contends, "[because ] the main blood supply to the ovaries is a branch
of the uterine artery which is cut or tied off in a hysterectomy and
[Dr. Lee continue] if this does not lead to an immediate loss of the
functionality of the ovaries [the] tied off arteries will stop functioning
within two to three years of a hysterectomy."
If you are
one of nearly a million women each year who have had a hysterectomy,
you are probably struggling with the side effects of HRT (Hormone Replacement
Therapy). You can take a positive step. Tell your doctor you prefer
to use natural hormones instead of harmful synthetics. Dr. Lee's patients,
with hysterectomies, have slowly weaned off HRT successfully and feel
immensely better. All you really need, Dr. Lee says is a daily dab of
progesterone cream. For those very few women who continue to have hot
flashes or vaginal dryness, he gives them some estrogen cream to use
intra vaginally for a few months, tapering them off that in as short
a time as possible.
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Will
endometriosis be remedied with progesterone?
Yes, progesterone will help a lot. Endometriosis is a widespread
affliction in this country. The cellular-level causes of endometriosis
is unclear and its diagnosis difficult. But the effects are, none-the-less,
very painful most notably during menstruation.
Dr. Lee
writes in his book that it may be speculative but not untenable that
our petro-chemical age has spawned diseases we have never known before.
Endometriosis is one of them. Dr. Lee goes on to say that mainstream
treatment of endometriosis is difficult, risky and usually unsuccessful.
Because of that, he has tried alternative treatments. He has treated
a number of endometriosis patients, some after failed surgery, with
natural progesterone and observed remarkable success. Dr. Lee observed
that estrogen initiated endometrial cell proliferation in the form of
blood vessel accumulation within the endometrium. Natural progesterone
blocks the monthly estrogen stimulus to uterine cells thereby stopping
further proliferation of endometrial cells.
Dr. Lee
advises women suffering from endometriosis to use natural progesterone
cream from day six of the cycle using for three continuous weeks, stopping
just before their expected period. The treatment requires patience but,
Dr. Lee reports, that within four to six months pain does gradually
subside and healing of the inflammatory sites occurs. Discomfort might
not always disappear entirely but it will become tolerable. He notes
that eventually endometriosis is cured by the onset of menopause.
The only
known cause of endometrial cancer is unopposed estrogen (Mayo Clinic,
1976). Here again, the culprits are Estradiol and estrone. Estrogen
supplements when given to post-menopausal women over a five year period,
increased the risk of endometrial cancer six-fold Longer-term use increased
it fifteen-fold. In pre-menopausal women, endometrial cancer is extremely
rare, except during the five to 10 years before menopause when estrogen
dominance is common.
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Will
uterine fibroids be helped by progesterone?
Yes. Fibroids are the most common growth of the female genital tract.
They are round, firm and benign and can grow to the size of a grapefruit
or larger. They are often associated with heavy periods and irregular
bleeding. After menopause fibroids usually wither away. Fibroids are
one of the most common reasons women choose to have a hysterectomy.
Though skilled surgeons can and do cut fibroids out cleanly, fibroids
will grow back again and again. That's because the cause of fibroids
is being ignored. Fibroid growth/stimulation has been closely linked
to elevated levels of estrogen.
Estrogen
dominance does indeed stimulate fibroid growth, making estrogen dominance
a much greater problem than is recognized by contemporary medicine.
Because fibroid tumors, like breast fibrocysts, are a product of estrogen
dominance, natural progesterone balances and slows down out-of-control
uterus cellular reproduction. When estrogen dominance is counterbalanced
with natural progesterone, fibroids stop growing in size and generally
decrease in mass until menopause, when they normally atrophy.
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What
effect does progesterone have on cardiovascular disease?
Natural progesterone may have a protective effect on the heart because
it is notably effective in raising good cholesterol (HDL). In a study
called the PEPI trial, natural progesterone was more effective in raising
HDL's than were the synthetic versions.
Dr. Lee
encourages the use of progesterone because it promotes the burning of
fat for energy. It has anti-inflammatory effects. These effects help
protect against and prevent heart disease. Progesterone is a natural
diuretic, it promotes better sleep patterns and helps deal with stress.
All of the actions of progesterone benefit heart health. Dr. Lee is
of the firm conviction that upon close review of the highly regarded
Framingham study no coronary benefit from estrogen use will emerge.
Comparing the heart history of women using natural progesterone during
their postmenopausal years with women on estrogen and non-hormone users,
clearly defines the issues.
Estrogen
is touted to be preventive hormone of cardiovascular disease in women
by pharmaceutical companies interpreting the Framingham study. But Dr.
Jerilynn Prior, in her letter to the New England Journal of Medicine
following the publication of the Nurses Study, listed 16 references
disputing the claim that estrogen provided cardiovascular benefit. Hormones
get out of balance when we subject our bodies to a lifestyle that includes
refined and processed foods, inadequate exercise and exposure to xeno-estrogens.
Natural Progesterone supplementation has had remarkably positive effects
improving heart health in both men and women.
Adhering
to a healthier lifestyle may very well be enough, over time, to bring
the hormones back into balance. Our bodies are capable of healing. Given
the right nutrients, wholesome pure foods, exercise and hormonal balance
heart wellness can be actualized. For specific, detailed nutritional
and exercise recommendations we do recommend the comments made by Dr
John Lee on pages 280- 315 of his book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell
You About Menopause" and Sherrill Sellman's book, Hormone Heresy,
pages 6, 8, 130.
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Should
I use Progesterone if I am trying to get pregnant?
Yes. Use natural progesterone cream as recommended for menstruating
women (apply cream after ovulation). Dr. Lee reports that the major
cause of early pregnancy loss is the failure of the body to adequately
increase progesterone. Low production during the weeks following fertilization
can lead to miscarriage. Therefore, women having difficulty conceiving
or at risk of miscarriage, should consider using natural progesterone
supplementation and discuss its use with their physicians.
