Definition of Progesterone:
This is the hormone secreted after ovulation by the corpus luteum. It is a steroid (similar to a cholesterol), enters receptive cells to stimulate their growth, and acts as an anabolic agent. Estrogen should be viewed as the primary coat underneath all the cycles during a woman's reproductive years, with progesterone, its antagonist, surging for ten or twelve days in ovulatory months. Most of the actions of progesterone cannot occur without estrogen having previously induced the growth of progesterone-receptive binding sites.
Topics Related to Progesterone
Birth Control Pill Issues
...the condition
“Birth control pills may contain varying levels of estrogens and progestins (not natural progesterone) and different preparations can affect nutrients differently...”
Breast Cancer
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“Testing for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone may help to properly evaluate breast and ovarian cancer risk...”
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More topics Related to Progesterone
Bursitis
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Topical progesterone has been reported to be useful in alleviating symptoms.”
Carbohydrate Intolerance
...the condition
“...Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: The liver uses a specific enzyme system to convert cholesterol into a master steroidal hormone called pregnenolone, from which hormones such as progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone are derived...”
Cold Hands and Feet
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Cold hands and feet, often caused by low thyroid function, may be a symptom of estrogen excess or low progesterone influencing thyroid function.”
Condom Use
...as a treatment
“...This protection, however, is not perfect and is less effective than birth control pills, IUDs, or progesterone implants at preventing pregnancy...”
Corpus Luteum
...related topic
“...It produces high volume of progesterone and moderate levels of estrogen (estradiol)...”
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
...the condition
“...There is good evidence – particularly in the case of women (menopause, loss of estrogen) – that sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) play a role in DDD...”
Depression
...recommendation Tryptophan / 5HTP
“...Progesterone and hydrocortisone decrease its conversion...”
Edema (Water Retention)
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Progesterone has been used in the treatment of idiopathic edema under the premise that some women with idiopathic edema either do not ovulate or have a luteal phase deficiency...”
Elevated Cortisol Levels
...relationship to Osteoporosis - Osteopenia
“If a woman is not ovulating she may have lower estrogen and progesterone levels. Low estrogen levels can increase the activity of osteoclasts (bone breakdown cells) while low progesterone has been shown to increase PMS symptoms and slow bone deposition...”
Endometrial Hyperplasia
...the condition
“...Hyperplasia usually develops in the presence of continuous estrogen stimulation unopposed by progesterone. During adolescence and in the years before menopause women may have numerous cycles without ovulation during which there is continuous unopposed estrogen activity...”
...our question about Non-menstrual bleeding
“Endometrial hyperplasia usually occurs after menopause, when ovulation stops and progesterone is no longer made.”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“The addition of progesterone or resumption of ovulation (which produces progesterone) can eliminate the hyperplasia.”
Endometriosis
...related topic
“...Unlike the normal tissue lining the uterus, ectopic tissue has no place to shed in response to a decline in estrogen and progesterone. This results in debris and blood accumulating at the site of the implant leading to inflammation, scarring and adhesions that ultimately cause symptoms and complications...”
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“Estrogen excess or progesterone deficiency may contribute to the severity of the symptoms.”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Progesterone intravaginally can reduce the bleeding and pain associated with endometriosis.”
Enlarged Prostate
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Males also produce progesterone, although only about half as much as females do...”
Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“...(total and free), DHT, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (best taken at 9am to avoid diurnal variations), progesterone and a PSA test for prostate cancer...”
Estrogen Replacement
...as a treatment
“...Therefore, for patients who still have a uterus, estrogen is often prescribed in combination with progesterone, which controls that effect and protects from endometrial abnormalities...”
Estrogen-balancing Medications
...as a treatment
“...Progesterone topically and/or intravaginally can be helpful, but progesterone levels cannot be predicted accurately in woman with fibroids...”
Estrogens Low
...our question about Fatigue after light exertion
“Lethargy and lack of vitality are early signs that your anti-aging hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone) are diminishing.”
Female Infertility
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Progesterone is an important hormone in preventing miscarriage...”
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
...the condition
“...Estrogens and progesterone are sometimes considered antagonistic hormones...”
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“The administration of natural progesterone is suggested by Dr. John Lee, MD and others to be a protective therapy that can reduce breast tenderness and the fibrocystic changes seen in FBD.”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Natural progesterone can be effective in treating fibrocystic breast disease.”
Fibroids
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Though systemic progesterone use is often indicated, intravaginal application of progesterone cream may provide higher doses to the area needing it, and counter an estrogen dominance at the site.”
Gonads
...related topic
“...These include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone...”
Hormone Imbalance
...the condition
“...The main female sex hormones are the estrogens – Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol – and progesterone. Hormonal imbalance can affect both men and women as adults or as adolescents...”
...our question about Abdominal distension, swelling
“Hormonal fluctuations such as those occurring with pregnancy or at the start of a menstrual period (these raise progesterone levels) can slow down gut motility and cause food to pass more slowly through the digestive system, sometimes causing bloating and/or constipation.”
Hormones
...related topic
“...Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.”
Hypopituitarism
...the condition
“...Estrogen should be replaced along with progesterone. Annual pap smears and mammograms are mandatory...”
Hypothyroidism
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Progesterone increases sensitivity of estrogen receptors, and can therefore redirect estrogen activity and inhibit many of unopposed estrogen's undesirable side-effects, which includes interference...”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Within weeks of using adequate natural progesterone cream, symptoms of hypothyroidism may disappear...”
Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance)
...the condition
“...high in trans-fatty acids and linoleic acid (safflower, soy, canola, corn and sunflower), glucose (white sugar), asbestos, lead, mercury and other heavy metals, pesticides, air and water pollutants, progesterone, prednisone, morphine, tobacco, cortisol (in high doses), HIV, candida albicans, HCV, E coli and many other pathogens, continuous stress, thalidomide, UV-B light, pregnancy, melatonin...”
Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency
...recommendation Licorice Root
“...The only known readily available inhibitors of the enzyme that deactivates cortisol (11 beta-HSD) are glycyrrhizic acid (found in licorice root extract), progesterone, and flavonoids (in grapefruit)...”
Low Pregnenolone Level
...the condition
“...All steroid hormones in the body (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, aldosterone, cortisol, etc...”
Low Sex Drive
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Loss of sex drive often correlates with a progesterone deficiency, not an estrogen deficiency.”
Low Total Cholesterol
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Cholesterol is the raw material used to make progesterone, and is therefore a precursor.”
Luteinizing Hormone
...related topic
“Anterior pituitary hormone stimulating estrogen production by the ovary; promoting formation of progesterone by the corpus luteum in women and stimulating testosterone release in men.”
Maca
...as a treatment
“...Instead, the supposed mechanism of action is by normalizing steroid hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen...”
Male Breast Cancer
...the condition
“...Androgen (and possibly progesterone) exert a protective influence...”
Melatonin
...as a treatment
“...If you take too much melatonin, you may experience the following effects ... Decreased estrogen and progesterone levels. If melatonin excites instead of calms, this may indicate a hormone imbalance in women...”
Menopausal Issues
...the condition
“...The use of natural estrogens and progesterone is important in some women at menopause, when troubling symptoms continue...”
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“Checking primarily for estrogens and progesterone at this time of life, with subsequent hormone balancing, can provide both immediate and long-term benefit.”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Natural progesterone can protect against facial hair and male pattern baldness that some women have after menopause...”
...recommendation Vitex / Chasteberry
“Low levels of progesterone are believed to contribute significantly to menopausal symptoms...”
Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)
...the condition
“...Heavy bleeding can be caused by too much estrogen or possibly too little progesterone. Too much estrogen causes excessive growth of the blood-rich endometrial lining which will be shed each month...”
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“In a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone regulate the buildup of the endometrium (uterine lining of blood and tissue), which is shed each month during menstruation...”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“If progesterone levels are low or estrogen levels too high, avoid unnecessary estrogen use...”
Menstruation
...related topic
“...It is caused by a sudden reduction in estrogens and progesterone. The first day of menstrual flow is considered day 1 of the menstrual cycle.”
Metrorrhagia
...the condition
“...Anovulatory or estrogen breakthrough bleeding is caused by the production of estrogen without normal surges of luteinizing hormone (LH) and secretion of progesterone from the corpus luteum...”
...recommendation Vitex / Chasteberry
“...Vitex indirectly promotes progesterone in cases of excess estrogen...”
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More topics Related to Progesterone
Multiple Sclerosis
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Progesterone has been shown in animal studies to promote the formation of new myelin sheaths. Physicians have known for years that pregnancy can suppress some forms of immune response, such as...”
Natural Progesterone
...as a treatment
“Natural progesterone, a cholesterol derivative, is made from wild Mexican yams or soybeans whose active ingredients are an exact molecular match of the body's own progesterone...”
Osteoarthritis
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Topical progesterone has been reported to be useful in alleviating symptoms.”
Osteoporosis - Osteopenia
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Estrogen and progesterone are known to provide benefit...”
...recommendation Estrogen Replacement
“...During this period of time, estrogen replacement is somewhat effective in preventing bone breakdown, but progesterone is needed for creating new bone...”
Ovarian Cancer
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“Testing for estrogens and progesterone may help to properly evaluate breast and ovarian cancer risk as some estrogens will promote risk while progesterone may protect against this cancer risk.”
Ovarian Cysts
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Intravaginal application of progesterone cream provides higher doses where needed in cases of endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts.”
Panic Attacks
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“It has been reported that women with low progesterone levels experience less intense or less frequent panic attacks after progesterone supplementation...”
Perimenopausal Issues
...the condition
“...For women at midlife, the interplay between two primary female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, often becomes important...”
Phlebitis / Thrombophlebitis
...the condition
“...The use of progestins (synthetic progesterones, but not natural progesterone) will increase the likelihood of deep vein thrombophlebitis by 3 to 4 times...”
...our question about Progestin use
“The use of synthetic progesterones (progestins) – but not natural progesterone – will increase the likelihood of deep vein thrombophlebitis by 3 to 4 times.”
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
...the condition
“...They also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that result from ovulation cycles; the most common are just enlargements of the normal egg follicles...”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Many women with PCOS have had success using progesterone cream to help produce regular periods.”
Postmenopausal Issues
...the condition
“...Adequate estrogen reduces bone breakdown while adequate progesterone encourages new bone growth...”
Pregnenolone
...as a treatment
“...Pregnenolone is the basic precursor – or starting raw material – for the production of ALL the human steroid hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone, and as such is often referred to as "The Mother Hormone" or the next "up and coming" anti-aging hormone...”
Premature Hair Graying
...relationship to Premature/Signs of Aging
“...Sex steroids such as estrogens and progesterone stimulate the function of melanocytes...”
Premature/Signs of Aging
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“...The hormones most likely to be involved include estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA.”
Premenstrual Syndrome
...the condition
“...Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone during this time can cause mood swings, anxiety, irritability and physical changes...”
...relationship to Low Melatonin Level
“Melatonin can exhibit strong effects on the reproductive system, and the activity of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone is closely tied with its regulation of the sleep-wake cycle...”
...recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
“Vitamin B6 is effective for PMS symptoms because it reduces estrogen while raising progesterone levels. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin B6 supplementation in treating PMS...”
Premenstrual Syndrome PMS A (Anxiety)
...the condition
“...A, C, D and H – which were originally identified by Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D. 'Type A' or 'PMS-A' ("Anxiety") is the most common symptom category and is related most strongly to an estrogen excess and progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase...”
Premenstrual Syndrome PMS D (Depression)
...the condition
“...The decreased ovarian estrogen output during the luteal phase has been attributed to a stress-induced increase in adrenal androgens and/or progesterone. Symptoms of PMS-D include...”
...recommendation against Natural Progesterone
“In patients with PMS Type D, progesterone levels may be elevated...”
...recommendation Magnesium
“Lead blocks the binding of estrogen to receptor sites and but has no effect on progesterone. A chronic magnesium deficiency may be a contributing factor as it results in increased lead absorption and retention, while decreasing resistance to stress...”
Problems Caused By Being Overweight
...relationship to Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)
“Chronic menorrhagia and PMS is usually the result of deficient progesterone secretion or constant adipose-released estradiol from obesity or recent substantial weight loss.”
Progesterone Excess
...the condition
“Progesterone, like all hormones, needs to be in balance to ensure proper health...”
...our question about Oral progesterone use
“Progesterone in high doses can cause side-effects...”
Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
...the condition
“...Without ovulation, no corpus luteum results and no progesterone is made. A progesterone deficiency ensues and several problems can result from this, one being the month-long presence of unopposed estrogen with all its attendant side-effects...”
...our question about the thickness of your scalp hairs
“Progesterone helps prevent excess production of the hormone DHT, which is directly involved in hair thinning.”
...relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency
“...Specifically, it produces androgen, estrogen and progesterone. Adrenal exhaustion can therefore cause hormone deficiencies.”
...relationship to Endometrial Cancer
“High levels of estrogen without opposing progesterone can increase the risk of endometrial cancer...”
...recommendation Vitex / Chasteberry
“Vitex increases luteinizing hormone production while inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone, leading to an indirect increase in progesterone and a normalization of prolactin levels...”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Estrogens and progesterone tend to be antagonistic hormones, each balancing the other...”
Prostate Cancer
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Dr. John Lee, M.D., the author of several books including What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, has found that progesterone for men is one of the most effective treatments for prostate cancer...”
Rheumatoid Arthritis
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Topical progesterone has been reported to be useful in alleviating symptoms.”
Stress
...relationship to Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance
“Stress increases cortisol production; cortisol blockades (competes for) progesterone receptors...”
Susceptibility To Miscarriages
...the condition
“...Progesterone level low accounts for 20%...”
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Progesterone is responsible for maintaining the uterus lining which is necessary for the survival of the embryo as well as the developing fetus throughout gestation...”
Tendency Toward Postpartum Depression
...the condition
“...Progesterone and hydrocortisone decrease its conversion...”
...recommendation Tryptophan / 5HTP
“...Progesterone and hydrocortisone decrease its conversion...”
Tendonitis
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Progesterone (especially when mixed with vitamin E) has been used topically for the relief of tendonitis pain.”
Test for Hormones
...as a treatment
“Hormone testing for sex hormones such as estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, LH, FSH, prolactin and binding globulins (SHBG) is an important step in determining hormone abnormalities that may be causing or contributing to symptoms...”
Testosterone
...as a treatment
“...For women, testosterone in a smaller dose is usually added to the estrogen (Estratest) or in a combination with estrogen and progesterone by a compounding pharmacy...”
Thymic Factors
...as a treatment
“...Modern medicine replaces the thyroid gland with thyroid hormone, the adrenal gland with cortisone, the pancreas gland with insulin, and the ovaries with estrogen and progesterone. However, physicians have not routinely replaced the thymus gland...”
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
...relationship to Progesterone Excess
“One mysterious effect in the progesterone intolerant women is bladder problems...”
Vaginal Dryness
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Some cases of vaginal dryness will improve with progesterone but small amounts of supplemental estrogen may be required.”
Varicose Veins
...recommendation Natural Progesterone
“Topical progesterone has been reported to provide some benefit.”
Vitamin B3 Requirement
...the condition
“...Vitamin B3 is necessary for the manufacture of the hormones cortisone, thyroxine, insulin, and the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone...”
Vitex / Chasteberry
...as a treatment
“...Many menstrual problems can be traced to deficient progesterone production during the second half of the menstrual cycle, also called the luteal phase...”
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Last updated: Apr 26, 2024