What is progesterone?

Progesterone is used both orally and transdermally. Oral progesterone is micronized (ground) to increase availability and is approved by the FDA to treat endometrial hyperplasia when used in opposition to estrogen. It has also been approved to relieve menopausal symptoms, either alone or in combination with estrogen. It is more reliable in treating menopausal sleep disorders than synthetic progestins. Transdermal progesterone is often used as a component of compounded BHRT but has not been clinically proven to prevent endometrial hyperplasia, as oral progesterone. The editors-in-chief of the scientific journal Climacteric state that the greatest difference in function between bioidentical and synthetic hormones may be found in progesterone's behavior compared with progestin. Laboratory studies have suggested that bioidentical progesterone binds primarily to progesterone receptors, while synthetic progestins activate other receptors with a variety of effects.

What are the potential benefits of appropriately monitored Progesterone therapy?

  • Lowers serum estradiol.
  • Raises HDL (Good cholesterol), lowers LDL (Bad cholesterol).
  • Reduces side effects of estradiol.
  • Improves sense of well-being: vasomotor symptoms, somatic complaints anxiety depression and vaginal bleeding.
  • Works with estradiol in reducing atherosclerosis.
  • Protects breast and uterus from hyper proliferation from estrogen.
  • Causes apoptosis of breast cancer cells.
  • Reduces endothelial inflammation.
  • Prevents coronary artery constriction, reduces platelet aggregation, and increases nitrous oxide.
  • Improves vaginal vasocongestion for adequate sexual response.
  • Oral progesterone improves sleep.
  • Induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.
  • Reduces symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.
  • Stimulates bone building cells osteoblasts.
  • Reduces fibrocystic breast lumpiness.
  • Protects from breast cancer.
  • Increases bone density.
  • Reduces menopause symptoms.

What are things that appropriately monitored progesterone therapy won’t do?

  • Cream does not give adequate levels for protection of breast or uterus.
  • Affect mood negatively, depression.
  • Affect lipoproteins.
  • Cause side effects other than sedation.

What else is in the published literature?

    Breast cancer risk 50 times greater with low progesterone levels
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