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Progesterone Cream: Know the Risks
July 24 2008 at 3:33 AM Bianca (Login tallbutsmall)
"The problem relates to the fact that progesterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to the skin will store itself in a woman's fat tissue. When one first uses the cream, there is no problem here as the fat stores are very low. But as time goes on, the cream accumulates and contributes to disruptions in the adrenal hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone. I have learned that although progesterone cream is an enormously useful tool, it needs to be used very cautiously.

I have also learned that it is FAR MORE IMPORTANT to work to normalize the adrenal hormones first. Once the adrenal hormones are balanced, the progesterone levels will frequently normalize and one will not require any cream. The wonderful thing about adrenal normalization is that it usually only takes 3-6 months to balance these hormones. Once they are balanced, one usually does not require any hormone supplements to keep them balanced. "

from http://www.mercola.com/article/progesterone/cream.htm (there's also an interesting chart at the bottom of this page which lists the effects of both progesterone and estrogen


" There are also no standards for the amount of progesterone contained in the creams. In one survey of 27 brands of rub-on progesterone creams, 11 contained more than 40mg progesterone per ounce of cream, five contained between two and 15mg per oz and 11 had 2mg or less per oz. [1]

The issue of how much progesterone is contained in the cream is pertinent when you consider the minute doses required by the body to keep things ticking over.

During the menstrual cycle of the ordinary woman, progesterone blood levels range from 0.5 to 20 nanograms per ml, according to Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. This amount is the equivalent of one part per billion in weight. With the rub-on cream, women could be enhancing the progesterone concentration in the blood by four or five times."

from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2465/is_7_30/ai_66457061



waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: Progesterone Cream: Know the Risks
July 24 2008, 4:27 AM

Hi Bianca,

Thanks for posting the article and the links. Yes, progesterone cream is not risk free and should be used with caution and for the right reasons.

I have always cautioned that progesterone cream use is a treatment for estrogen dominance and not an NBE tool. Yes, some women will need to use progesterone cream to normalize their hormones - but - and this is very important - don't start using this hormone until you find all about it and have all the information on how to use it safely.

The best idea is to have a sympathetic doctor do some tests and determine the need for progesterone cream. Your doctor can then monitor you and decide what dosage and when the cream should be used and for how long.

If this is not possible - and for some it is not, then research, research, research. Online saliva tests are available that can give fairly accurate results for progesterone in particular. Then get a good guide - and of course, my favorite tidbit of advice is the book by Dr. John Lee 'What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause' - a book filled with useful information on how to use progesterone cream to safely treat estrogen dominance.

There is nothing more precious than our health. We must be diligent in guarding it.

waxingmoon



Bianca
(Login tallbutsmall)
Re: Progesterone Cream: Know the Risks
July 24 2008, 6:34 AM

That's very sound advice. Thanks for responding in a positive light. I was hoping someone would say something to that effect. I don't think there is anything wrong with people taking charge of their health, but I get worried at some things I read (not necessarily on this site, but in general). Some people seem ready to jump into options without really evaluating them. I commend you for your efforts and hopefully soon my research will provide me with a plan that I can use. Perhaps I will do a saliva test.



Lee
(Login ssunflower)
Re: Progesterone Cream: Know the Risks
July 25 2008, 5:31 PM

This is all so confusing to me.

I'm estrogen dominant. I've read not to take the herbs for those who need more estrogen and now I hear progesterone cream does not work for NBE.

I don't know what to do.

I do massage and heat.



Angela
(Login Angela)
Re: Progesterone Cream: Know the Risks
July 25 2008, 11:09 PM

Progesterone cream has never been said to cause breast growth directly. It's just a help to balance your hormones if it's suitable for you.