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Progesterone and Natural Progesterone Cream Info from the News

Check out the more of latest news regarding the hormone progesterone. These articles DO NOT always cover . They also don't necessarily reflect our editor's viewpoint of the role of progesterone in our lives.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

THE estrogen levels in a post-menopausal woman are about 10% of the level of those in the reproductive age group and progesterone is almost absent. The low levels of post-menopausal estrogen are produced by the adrenal glands and fat.

Hormone replacement therapy usually involves treatment with either estrogen alone or in combination with progestin (synthetic progesterone that has been found hazardous to women's health by the WHI study) to help compensate for the decrease in natural hormones at menopause. Hormone therapy only doubles the estrogen level of a post-menopausal woman. Hence, even with hormone therapy, the estrogen and progesterone levels of a post-menopausal woman do not reach the natural levels of a pre-menopausal woman.

The medicines used in hormone therapy are similar in certain aspects yet different in others, with different modes of action, side effects and adverse effects.

Hormone therapy is the only effective method for the management of menopausal symptoms. It has been proven in worldwide studies to improve vasomotor and urogenital symptoms, mood changes and post-menopausal quality of life.

The publication of the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in the United States and Million Women Study in the United Kingdom and the response of regulatory organizations in the United States and Europe, together with the adverse media publicity have raised concerns, perhaps even confusion, among women, health professionals and doctors.

It is important to remember that WHI was a randomized control trial designed in the early 1990s to study the validity of the cardio-protective effects of hormone therapy that was reported in several observational trials. It studied the effects of HT, calcium and vitamin D supplementation and diets with a low-fat content. The women in WHI were aged between 50 and 79 years, with an average age of 63 years. They were, on average, 13 years past their last period. Some 23% were more than 70 years old; 40% were on blood pressure pills or statins for raised blood lipids and 7.7% had a previous coronary thrombosis. Women who had menopausal symptoms were limited to about 10% of the study population.

The Million Women Study was an observational study of women attending the National Health Service Breast Screening Program. It provided risk estimates of breast cancer associated with various hormone therapy regimens, except vaginal preparations, in women aged 50 to 64 years. The design, analysis and conclusions of the study have been questioned in several publications.

It is important to bear in mind that perspective and critical assessment are fundamental requirements in evaluating studies. It is vital to remember that the results of a single trial cannot be extrapolated to all menopausal women i.e. one cannot extrapolate the results of those in their 60s and 70s to those in their 50s.

The benefits of hormone therapy will be discussed in this article. Subsequent articles will discuss the risks and uncertain issues about hormone therapy.

The long-term (i.e. more than five years) use of hormone therapy, like all medicines, has risks as well as benefits. It long-term use for the prevention of certain chronic conditions in post-menopausal women is not well quantified. In such situations, it is always advisable to discuss with your doctor, your individual health status and the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

The use of hormone therapy in the short-term i.e. between three to five years, has proven benefits on menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, sweats, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, loss of libido, thinning of the skin, mood changes, insomnia and generalized aches and pains. Natural progesterone cream therapy is proving equally effective in anecdotal evidence, but without the health concerns associated with synthetic HRT.

Hot flashes and Night Sweats

There is strong evidence from many trials worldwide, including WHI, that estrogen is effective in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes and sweats. Improvement is usually shown within a month of starting treatment. The relief of vasomotor symptoms is the commonest reason for the prescription of hormone replacement therapy. Such prescriptions are usually for a period that is short-term, i.e. less than five years.  Natural progesterone cream should be tried first. It has none of the negative side effects associated with prescription hormone replacement therapy.

Vaginal Dryness, Painful Sexual Penetration

Many menopausal women who suffer from symptoms like vaginal dryness, discomfort, painful sexual penetration (superficial dyspareunia), urinary frequency and urgency, find relief from estrogen. The estrogen is administered by oral intake or local application. It usually takes some months before improvement is noticed. As the symptoms may recur on cessation of therapy, long-term treatment is often needed.

Sexual activity may be improved with the use of estrogen alone or with the additional prescription of the male hormone, testosterone. The additional use of the latter may be required particularly in younger women who have had their ovaries removed for various reasons.

Osteoporosis Bone Loss Prevented Reversed with Natural Progesterone

Hormone replacement therapy is somewhat in the prevention of osteoporosis. It stops, but can not reverse the loss of bone density at the spine, hips and peripheral sites thereby reducing the risk of fractures. The bone protection lasts as long as hormone therapy is taken. There is strong evidence of these effects from many trials including WHI. The Royal College of Physicians of London, in its guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, refers to recent epidemiological studies which suggest that the effectiveness of hormone therapy in preventing fractures is related to its continuous and lifelong use. Natural progesterone cream as recommended by Dr. John Lee will reverse osteoporosis in most cases according to his book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause".

HRT Risks Outweigh Benefits

Medical professionals now recognize that HRT is dangerous and advise that hormone therapy should not be used as first-line therapy for the prevention of osteoporosis as the risks outweigh the benefits. Natural progesterone cream along with weight bearing exercise, a good diet that includes leafy green vegetables, and a calcium - magnesium supplement are the preferred way to orpair and prevent osteoporosis damage.