Micronized Progesterone

Micronized Natural Progesterone

"Micronized" progesterone is progesterone USP, the natural form of progesterone, broken down into very tiny particles. The process of micronization allows for steady, even absorption of the medication.

In this country, the Upjohn Company sells micronized progesterone as a bulk powder to pharmacies that specially prepare, or "compound," the powder into capsules or slow-release tablets in different doses as prescribed by physicians. It is also sold on over the counter creams that deliver the progesterone transdermally, delivering the medication steadily over time. Only a small fraction of the medication is absorbed into the blood stream when taken as a capsule. Decades of natural progesterone cream use has shown this to be the preferred delivery system.

Micronized Progesterone USP is prescribed by physicians or purchased as a cream in health food stores to supplement a woman’s natural production of the hormone. USP stands for United States Pharmacopoeia, which is the national standard of purity for substances used in the manufacture of drugs and cosmetics. Natural progesterone USP simply confirms that the progesterone is identical to the progesterone produced by the human body, not the synthetic version generally referred to as progestin.

First isolated in 1934, progesterone USP is a white or creamy white crystalline powder, is odorless, stable in the air, and is nearly insoluble in water. These natural hormones, derived from wild mexican yam or soy, are bioidentical to what your body produces so they act in the same way.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for most women after menopause. HRT consists of the hormone estrogen and, if your uterus has not been removed, progesterone. It's commonly known that estrogen supplementation alone can cause endometrial (uterine) cancer. When a progestogen is added, the chance of uterine cancer is reduced below the base line level. One of estrogen's many benefits is it's ability to reduce the risk of heart disease. One of the ways estrogen does this is by increasing HDL or (good cholesterol). Synthetic progestogens tend to reduce this benefit. Natural micronized progesterone does not appear to reduce estrogens positive effect on cholesterol. This is another case where the natural form of progesterone may be better for you.