Progesterone is a hormone of the reproductive system. This hormone prepares the lining of the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg and helps to maintain pregnancy. Progesterone is also a precursor hormone, meaning it transforms itself to create other hormones…especially estrogen and testosterone. Another very important function of progesterone is to “oppose” estrogen. It works synergistically with estrogen and together they balance each other in the body. When estrogen is present without progesterone, the estrogen properties are not kept in check and may eventually lead to conditions associated with too much estrogen in the body. It is therefore, critical to balance estrogen with progesterone for maximal health benefits of each hormone.
Progesterone is often confused with Progestin. Progestins are synthetic hormones made to mimic the actions of progesterone but they are dangerous and cause many unwanted side effects. For example, Progestins have been associated with blood clots, fluid retention, acne, weight gain, depression, and an increase in heart disease and diabetes. In addition, Progestins have been linked with an increase in the symptoms of hormone imbalance and deficiency. Bio identical progesterone (also sometimes referred to as natural or human identical progesterone) is made from soy or yam and has the exact molecular structure as progesterone made in the human body. Only Bio-identical Progesterone has the properties necessary to appropriately balance Estrogen.
Symptoms of Progesterone Loss
- Depression
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Pain and inflammation
- Osteoporosis
- Decreased HDL
- Excessive menstruation
Some Causes of Low Progesterone
- Impaired progesterone production
- Increased prolactin production
- Stress
- Antidepressants
- Decreased thyroid hormone
- Low Luteinizing hormone
- Sugar
- Saturated fat
Benefits of Progesterone
- Helps build bone
- Helps thyroid hormone function
- Protects against fibrocystic breast disease
- Protect against endometrial cancer
- Normalizes zinc and copper levels
- Some anti-epileptic activity
- Helps balance estrogen
- Helps sleep
- Natural calming effect
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Helps the body use and eliminate fats
- Lowers cholesterol
- May protect against breast cancer
- Increases scalp hair
- Normalizes libido
- Helps balance fluids in the cells
- Increases the beneficial effects of estrogens on blood vessel dilation
- Increases metabolic rate
- Natural diuretic
If you believe you may be suffering from hormone loss, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help. Call the Southern California Center For Anti-Aging today for more information at 424.247.4962.
