Beneficial Effects of Progesterone

While one of the beneficial effects of progesterone replacement therapy is enhanced weight loss, restoring low progesterone levels has many other health benefits as well.

Because of its effects on the lining of the uterus progesterone is usually given to postmenopausel women to decrease the risk of uterine cancer.

But progesterone affects more than just your uterus.



Your Body on Progesterone

Progesterone affects virtually every cell type in your body including bone cells, nerve cells, skin cells and brain cells.

Progesterone also affects breast tissue and immune function.

  • EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE ON BONE
    Progesterone is one of two main hormones that not only prevent bone loss and the development of osteoporosis but actually reverse the disease by stimulating bone cells to create new bone. ( Testosterone , another hormone that is important to replace following menopause, also creates new bone.)

  • EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE ON BRAIN
    AND NERVE CELLS
    In nervous tissue, progesterone is thought to protect the brain against the development of dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.

    Progesterone also stimulates the synthesis of myelin, a substance that forms the insulating sheath that surrounds nerves, and is being investigated as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

    And progesterone functions as a natural anti-depressant and helps to relieve anxiety.

  • EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE ON THE BREAST AND UTERUS
    Natural progesterone protects against the development of fibrocystic breast disease, uterine fibroids and uterine and breast cancer.

  • EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE ON SKIN
    Progesterone reverses aging of the skin and acts as a natural skin moisturizer.

  • PROGESTERONE, PMS AND MENSTRUAL DISORDERS
    While I have focused on the benefits of correcting the progesterone deficiency that occurs that around the time of menopause, many menstrual disorders that occur in younger women including premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, are also caused by a progesterone deficiency.

    Restoring progesterone levels usually alleviates symptoms of these disorders, including mood swings, headaches and depression.



Types of Progesterone Preparations

The progesterone effects described above pertain only to natural progesterone, not to the synthetic progesterones or “progestins”.

Because progestins have very different effects than the progesterone produced by the body it is important to use only “bio-identical” or natural progesterone to restore low progesterone levels.



Natural Progesterone

Natural progesterone can be taken as a tablet by mouth or it can be applied to the skin as a cream.

The oral form seems to be more effective at relieving insomnia when taken at bedtime, while the cream form acts as a natural skin moisturizer and anti-aging agent.

In cream form, progesterone is available in over-the-counter (non-prescription) preparations.

However, the amount of progesterone contained in these preparations is usually too low to have much effect and, as with all hormones, it is important to use the amount you need to restore your normal progesterone levels – no more and no less.

For these reasons I don’t recommend the use of over-the counter hormone preparations.

The only way to accurately restore your hormone levels is through the use of saliva testing and a compounding pharmacy that can adjust the dosage of hormone to meet your individual needs.

This requires a prescription so you will need to contact a physician experienced in natural hormone replacement therapy.

Progesterone and Weight Loss
Estrogen Deficiency and Weight Loss
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Replacing Testosterone After Menopause
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