Much has been said about what is natural progesterone and most of
them we hear from the medical practitioners. The definitions we
get from them explained in medical jargons are actually true only
that we understand it in layman when it should be understood
medically, and so often results in misconceptions. Descriptions
like progesterone being a ??sex hormone??, or ??female sex
hormone??, ??hormone of pregnancy?? should be backed up with
definitions as people would often misinterpret them. Here’s myth
busting facts about what progesterone is and is not.
Progesterone belongs to one of the five known groups of steroid
hormone. The name stands for progestational steroidal ketone due
to its role in gestation, which often is why it has been
considered as hormone of pregnancy when in fact it is produced
even when pregnancy is not present. It is not truly correct to
say progesterone is a sex hormone nor a female hormone because it
does not actually play role in development of sex characteristics
and the hormone is also present in males. Rather after
progesterone is synthesized it is further converted into other
hormones like androstenedione which is precursor of testosterone,
estrone and estradiol, the real sex hormones responsible for
sexual characteristics in both men and women. How do we correctly
define what natural progesterone is?
The production of this hormone begins when cholesterol is
synthesized to form pregnenolone and after a few more cascades
results to progesterone. Do not trouble yourself with those
specifics in chemistry, one only has to know what is natural
progesterone has to do in our body. It also pays to know its
sources and significance. In humans progesterone is produced in
the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and the placenta produces a
great amount of it during pregnancy. It is also stored in adipose
(fat) tissue. Other sources of natural progesterone are milk
products because farms cows are milked during pregnancy, when the
progesterone in the milk shoots up. Consumption of milk products
increases the level of bioavailable progesterone in the body.
Progesterone can also be converted from steroids found in a
number of plant species.
Laboratory synthesis of progesterone is also possible that leads
to the production of synthetic and semisynthetic progesterone
used primarily in hormone replacement therapy and other
conditions where the body inadequately produce the hormone such
as in cases where ovaries and adrenal glands are diseased. Other
things about what is natural progesterone must be truly
understood in order to get rid of the misconceptions attributed
to progesterone and so limitations about its use may be cut and
rather be explored that will result to more medical advantages in
the future.
The major regulators of most human’s bodily functions are
chemicals called hormones. A hormone is released by the cell or
gland in one part of a system that takes effect in the cells of
other parts of the body’s organ or systems. Even a little amount
of hormone can be enough to regulate a cell’s metabolism. One
major group of hormones in human body is the steroid hormones
which are further divided into subgroups namely glucocorticoids,
mineralocorticoid, vitamin D, androgens, estrogens, progestins or
the progesterone. Among these hormones, progesterone is also a
precursor of the other hormones in the steroid group, so to say
progesterone is also responsible for the conversion of androgens
and estrogens form its raw forms. Let us then pay s closer
attention into this wonder hormone. Progesterone is present in
both sexes, and produced by the adrenal glands and in females it
is primarily secreted by the ovaries and the placenta during
pregnancy. When these organs fail, the levels of progesterone is
depleted and one may need a progesterone therapy.
Because of the significant functions of progesterone being a
regulator of its fellow hormones and many other bodily functions,
when progesterone is no longer released in the body it becomes
important to begin progesterone therapy. Instance when
progesterone becomes scarce or inadequate are menopausal, and
organ exhaustions of the producers like the adrenal. Diseases of
the organs that secrete it may also be the cause like polycystic
ovarian disease and the likes.
When a client undergoes depletion of this hormone, his/her
physician usually requires the client to go on progesterone
therapy. This is to avoid hormonal imbalance of the progesterone
and other hormones affected by its loss. This prevents further
troubles that may arise from the absence of these major hormones
is the body. The use of progesterone can be acute, long-term or
lifetime depending on the situation of the client. There are
available synthetic and semisynthetic progesterone in pharmacies
for different routes like pill, capsule, injectable, vaginal
suppositories and topical forms. Because it is a steroid hormone,
it can only be absorbed by fat and when administered orally,
should be taken with oil for a better absorption.
The importance of progesterone therapy is for the restoration of
the malfunctioning organs due to the absence of its regulator
hormone.
Menopause is a period in every womanâ??s life marked with
permanent cessation of the primary functions of the human ovaries
includes the halt in ripening and release of ova and the release
of hormones. Although it may come early or late in a womanâ??s
life, they all will have to go through this life changing event.
Menopausal does not happen usually happen abruptly but occurs
over a period of time. Although it is inevitable, a woman can
always prepare herself to remain healthy as she goes through the
signs and effects that can occur during the menopause transition
years. There are an umber of healthy practices she can employ to
lessen the dramatic effects of menopausal and prepare emotions as
well because signs and effects can significantly disrupt the
daily activities and her sense of well-being. Here are some
effective yet simple natural remedies for menopause.
Employing natural remedies for menopause requires some lifestyle
changes to occur. It entails the performance of the following:
Diet modification. Improve your diet by including protein which
you can derive from organic meats and poultry, cold-water fish,
whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Be meticulous in choosing
foods be certain they do not contain growth hormone and
antibiotics. A healthy diet leads to a healthy body and studies
show that healthy women suffer less from effects of menopause and
hormonal imbalance as well.
One of the natural remedies for menopause that is advised to
women is to increase physical activity by exercising. Contrary to
what aging people believe that they should lessen activities,
studies prove that exercise promotes better sleep, increases
energy, rejuvenates the look and strengthens the bones and
connective tissues. Exercise will also keep your body active in
fighting of diseases as immune system is increased and improves
mood as well. It will also lead to weight reduction specially
needed by obese women. It will also enhance outlook in life and a
very important coping mechanism.
The third of the natural remedies for menopause that a woman must
follow is stress reduction. Stress is one major predisposing
factor to a number of diseases commonly of the cardiovascular
origins. Not only that, stress also leads to heightened
production of cortisol, androgen, epinephrine and adrenaline
which can inhibit the production of progesterone by the ovaries.
This will lead to estrogen dominance and long exposure to
increase levels of estrogen predisposes one to breast cancer and
other diseases like osteoporosis. Doing the abovementioned tips
will not stop you from going through menopause but it will make
your life a lot better before, during and even after the symptoms
and effects of menopause appear.
Progesterone is one of the major body steroid hormones that
regulate many bodily processes leading to a normal and healthy
functioning of different organ systems. This hormone is produced
primarily by the ovaries after ovulation in the corpus luteum,
also by the adrenal glands, and shoots up in levels on the 8th
week of pregnancy, in the placenta. The hormone is also stored in
adipose tissue. Because it is secreted primarily by the ovaries
of an ovulating woman, ones a woman halts ovulation, levels of
progesterone in the blood depletes significantly. Conditions when
any of its producer stops giving off progesterone are natural
cause like menopausal or diseases involving these organs. In the
case of a woman who has menopause, the adrenals and other organs
take over the production. In time, a woman may suffer adrenal
exhaustion and fails to keep up with the demands of progesterone.
Once progesterone reaches inadequate levels, other hormones with
progesterone as a precursor also decreases sharply and will lead
to further hormonal troubles. To prevent this from occurring,
natural progesterone cream is of great help.
Like all steroid hormones, progesterone is hydrophobic, it is not
absorbed by water, rather it is a fat-soluble molecule. Because
of this reason, using progesterone in pill forms taken orally is
poorly absorbed by the body and is not any better than a placebo
affect. What should be used instead for hormonal replacement
therapy is natural progesterone cream. But then it is not only
the women who could need hormonal therapy for progesterone.
Because this hormone is also a precursor to testosterone, an
abundant hormone in males and regulates some of their bodily
functions, any condition that affects their
progesterone-producing organs could also lead to some imbalances.
The prostate gland may be affected because its activity is
controlled by primarily by progesterone and hormones that is
converted from it.
Natural progesterone cream can be given to both men and women.
The way to use the cream is simple and convenient.The product
also comes with its own direction for usage which usually
includes massaging the cream twice daily. Best sites for
application are areas of the hands, belly, inner arms, neck,
face, thighs, buttocks and breasts. Do this until the cream is
absorbed and use alternating application sites.
One of the more acceptable routes of administration for hormonal
replacement therapy is the topical way with the use of
progesterone cream. This method is often resorted to by
individuals because it is easy to use and promotes effectiveness
of the hormone. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that requires
fat or oil as medium for absorption. When placed unto the skin
and massaged until absorbed, it is easily carried unto the blood
stream and absorbed by the cells. What is also good about this
product is that natural progesterone cream side effects if it has
any would be very tolerable as compared to other forms of therapy
and drug administration.
While natural progesterone cream side effects are very minimal
and can be easily withstand, progesterone taken in other forms
poses more risk when taken improperly. These are manifested by
increased fluid retention, leading to cerebral edema and
epilepsy, migraine, asthma, and cardiac or renal dysfunction.
Other diseases that was associated with the use of synthetic
progesterone in 400 mg tablet are increased risk of thrombotic
disorders such as thrombophlebitis, cerebrovascular disorders,
pulmonary embolism, and retinal thrombosis. Indeed it pays to go
natural because it spares you from life-threatening adverse
effects.
While the use of synthetic forms of progesterone results to
dramatic signs and symptoms due to the alteration in molecular
level of the hormone, natural progesterone cream side effects do
not cause any harm and the cream does not even have any toxic
effects. This is because natural progesterone creams are
bioidentical with the endogenous hormone. This means they have
similar molecular levels where the difference in this level is
the culprit for the many unwanted effects in synthetic forms. By
going natural, it becomes as good as having the hormone
originally produced by your own systems.
But if you feel any little discomforts this could be one of the
rare natural progesterone cream side effects as a result of body
adaptation, some sort of improvement reaction and needs no alarm.
However, it is always better to have yourself consult a physician
to guide you all along the course of the therapy and check your
status regularly for improvements of your condition or for
development of any complications of the hormonal imbalance due to
menopausal. Your doctor will also adjust dosage and frequency of
use that will all depend to your bodyâ??s adjustments and will
only be accurately revealed by subjecting yourself to thorough
examinations.
Hormones are very important regulators of many bodily processes
that without them, imbalances can occur leading to abnormal
system and organ functions. There are a number of reasons that
can lead to depletion of these hormones, like disorders of the
organ that produces it or removal of that organ fro whatever
causes and more often due to the bodyâ??s decline of functions as
a result of aging, as with the case of women, the menopausal
stage. In addition, the halt of production of these hormones can
either be acute, long-term or life-long. In whatever case one is
involved, a physician is expected to require you to undergo
natural hormone replacement therapy.
Natural hormone replacement therapy is the use of bioidentical
hormone from its endogenous form in terms of its molecular make
up. It can also be referred to all products where the main
ingredient is derived from an animal, plant and both bioidentical
and nonbioidentical hormones that can be produced from the same
plant sources. Generally, this hormone therapy also know as
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT is also often
used to refer not only to the administration of the hormone but
includes the comprehensive steps of the therapy from the
diagnosing, prescribing, preparation and finally its usage and
the continuous supervision for the side and adverse effects.
As mentioned earlier, it is not only for menopausal women that
natural hormone replacement therapy may be applicable. Even men
and the younger populace can be required to undergo such therapy
when needed. Hormones which are often involved in these therapies
are thyroid estrogen and progesterone therapy. To an aging woman
progesterone therapy is most often the case due to the decline of
ovarian functions resulting to significant if total halt in the
production of the hormone.
The very reason for natural hormone replacement therapy is to
supply for the lost hormone and thus restore the modulation of
bodily processes and functioning that have deteriorated due to
the depletion of regulating hormones. In instances where there is
a temporary stoppage, only acute prescription or momentary
therapy is needed while for total halt, life-long therapy maybe
required. It may be necessary for a client undergoing the therapy
to be in regular consultation with her/his physician especially
in the first few moments starting the in order to be monitored
with the effectiveness or side effects of the hormone therapy. To
assure best results of the therapy, one has to follow tall the
physician and manufacturerâ??s advice and guidelines regarding
the use of the hormones in the entire course of therapy.
Aging is one event that everyone wants to avoid, as a proof
people invest greatly in cosmetics and health products that
promise rejuvenation of a youthful glow. But we can only defy
aging up until a period of time, because eventually, it will
come. The reason as to why everyone seems to fear aging is not
only for the change of look, but for the decline of body
functions and strength to perform activities of daily living.
This is why science has offered natural hormone replacement for
women.
When talking about aging it is probably the female gender that
feels more dreaded, because she suffers more symptoms and
complications than men. This is because when she reaches
menopausal stage, along with the halt of ovulation is the
depletion of hormones that results to classical symptoms like hot
flashes, broken sleep patterns or insomnia, and changes in sexual
response. Other conditions which may be a complication occurring
postmenopausal are back pain, joint pain, muscle pain,
depression, possible but risk of atherosclerosis, osteopenia and
the risk of osteoporosis gradually developing over time. Truly
this point of a womanâ??s life is never easy and the use of
natural hormone replacement for women can bring great relief
although it still does not defy aging.
Natural hormone therapy for women uses estrogen or progesterone
hormones. For a woman with intact uterus, estrogen plus progestin
is often ordered and women who underwent hysterectomy or removal
of the uterus is prescribed with estrogen alone. The therapy once
uses only hormones in tablet forms until recently other forms of
have been out the pharmacies for different routes of
administration such as injectable, transdermal and topical.
Because most of these hormones to be replaced are steroid that
are water insoluble and fat soluble, oral administered hormone
may be poorly absorbed unless taken with oil. This made the
hormones in cream more acceptable because itâ??s easy and
effective to use.
Before starting out natural hormone replacement for women, it is
imperative that one sees her physician. A woman that is to go
though long-term or life-long hormonal replacement must pass
through series of laboratories to identify conditions which can
be contraindicated for the therapy. Above all, in this point of a
womanâ??s life the support of a family or from people she is
closely associated with along with their understanding is crucial
to her well being and keeping of self-esteem in this major
turning point of a womanâ??s life.
No matter how one denies age, we cannot defy aging and its
consequences in the long run. When a person grows old, along with
his feeble body are declines in the body functioning due to a
number of factors, and one is depletion of hormones. It is almost
every growing personâ??s concern especially to a woman as she
reaches menopausal stage, the production of her reproductive
hormones halts. This is because major hormones like estrogen and
progesterone are primarily secreted by the ovaries, and when a
woman experiences amenorrhea especially with menopause, the
ovaries no longer secrete the hormones. Its back up producer, the
adrenals take over but as it approaches organ exhaustion, the
hormone can be lost forever. This will result to cascade negative
effects. To prevent such an occurrence, a solution is offered to
allay the worries of hormonal imbalance, and itâ??s through the
use of bioidentical progesterone cream.
Bioidentical progesterone cream refers to the use of a hormone in
a cream form that is identical in molecular make up with the
endogenous progesterone produced by the body. It is also called
natural progesterone cream. The purpose of undergoing this
therapy is to restore the lost functions of some organs due to
the insufficiency of the hormones that regulate them.
Progesterone is not only a hormone that signals body processes
but is also a precursor of other hormones, and a decrease of its
amount can also lead to inadequacy of its derivative hormones
like estrogen and androgens. In short, itâ??s going to be hormone
havoc when progesterone is lost completely.
The use of bioidentical progesterone cream applied topically is
the preferred route of administering progesterone. Primarily
because this hormone is a fat-soluble steroid and when taken
orally is poorly absorbed. It is easy and convenient to use. Most
manufacturers will require the product to be massaged until
absorbed in areas of high fat concentration like the hands,
belly, inner arms, neck, face, thighs, buttocks and breasts where
it is easily absorbed and circulated. Follow labels and
instructions indicated in the packaging for a more accurate
application, dosage and frequency of use.
Some forms of manufactured progesterone especially those derived
from plants may not require the prescription while some forms
will require you to see your physician for a proper advice and
guidance and prescription of the drug as well. The physician
considers your overall condition before sending you to a hormonal
therapy using bioidentical progesterone cream. But it must be
noted that itâ??s not only the menopausal women who may be
required with such therapy, in men, and other women may also
undergo the therapy acutely or in long-term if they have any
condition that will the treatment.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a rather general term
that can mean interconnected concepts of the use of bioidentical
or natural hormones in a therapy. It could also mean the
compounding and manufacturing of drugs, or testing hormonal
levels in blood and other body fluids, or the activities that aim
to correct levels of hormone in the body including the side
effects of a certain hormone being administered. To suffice it
up, BHRT is the entire process of diagnosing the hormonal
imbalance, prescribing of the right hormone to address deficit,
administering the hormone correctly and the supervision of the
side and adverse effects of the therapy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT is often used
but not limited for female clients who are already in the
menopause stage. The purpose is to prevent hormonal imbalance as
a result of the depletion or total lost of hormones from
inadequacy or complete halt of the functions of the ovaries.
Hormones affected by menopause are estrogens and progesterone.
Because progesterone is also a precursor of estrogen,
progesterone is often replaced in the therapy to prevent a
cascade of hormonal imbalance that could mean the rise of many
other conditions.
Many conditions are being addressed by bioidentical hormone
replacement therapy while bringing comforts in the following way:
maintenance of the secretory endometrium, protection against
fibrocystic breasts, facilitates utilization of fat for energy,
acting as natural diuretic, mood enhancer, promotes thyroid
hormone action, normalize blood clotting, blood sugar levels, and
zinc and copper levels. Other effects are preventing breast
cancer by regulating and counteracting the effects of estrogen,
prevention of osteoporosis by simulating osteoblastic activities
for bone building, modulation of other hormones to recreate
balance, restores sex drive, and promotion of sleep. Hormone
therapy with estrogen is also found out to have protective effect
on the brain tissue thus, preventing neuro damage when administer
shortly after a traumatic brain injury.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is not only for a woman
whoâ??s menopause but to individuals as well who have acute or
chronic conditions that requires hormone replacement. It usually
happens on cases when one endocrine or exocrine organ is removed
resulting to permanent loss of organ function including the
production or storage of hormones. Before engaging into this
therapy you must first submit yourself into a physicianâ??s check
up to run through some laboratory checks if you are fit enough or
identify if thereâ??d be any conditions you have contraindicated
for the therapy.
Our body in order to sustain life and healthy being is carried by
a number of organ and system functions. These functions must also
be performed and sustained moderately to maintain balance and
optimum behavior. This job of regulating body processes is
controlled by chemicals called hormone. Hormones are released by
cells or glands in one part of the body that carry out messages
to affect cells in other parts of the organism. Hormones are so
powerful that only a small amount of it is required to alter cell
functioning. Our body produces a number of active hormones and
one of which is natural progesterone. What is it and what are the
benefits of natural progesterone?
Like other major body hormones, there are a number of significant
tasks carried out by progesterone. Progesterone is present both
in male and female and performs different activities in the body,
but its primal role in maintaining pregnancy made it known as the
hormone of pregnancy although it is also present in ovulating but
non-conceiving women. Generally this hormone has well established
functions in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryonic
development of humans and other species. The benefits of natural
progesterone being produced in the body especially in women makes
this hormone essential in keeping a good health, and when it
secretion halts, there may be some need for hormonal replacement
therapy.
Although progesterone is not directly involved in the development
of secondary sex characteristics, it is a precursor of
androstenedione which can be converted to testosterone, estrone
and estradiol, the ones straightly causing the sex
characteristics. Therefore, progesterone being a precursor to
more hormones has an enormous role to play. The following are
benefits of progesterone: protects against fibrocystic breasts
diseases, helps utilize fat for energy, a natural diuretic,
natural anti-depressant, facilitates thyroid hormone action,
normalizes blood clotting, blood sugar levels, blood zinc and
copper levels, restores sex drive and proper cell oxygen levels,
prevents uterine cancer, signals osteoblast for bone building,
restores normal vascular tone, needed for embryo survival,
modulates other hormones helping to restore balance, and promotes
sleep.
Certainly the long list of benefits of progesterone in the body
defines its importance and also suggests of what can possibly
happen if it depletes and halts in production in time. The major
producer of progesterone in women is the ovaries and the placenta
when a woman is pregnant, but it stops when a woman begins to
menopause. This is the time when women would need hormone
replacement therapy to continue supplying the body with
progesterone and keep a healthy functioning despite age and
menopausal.