Index
What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a female steroid hormone produced in the ovaries since puberty . This hormone is involved in preparing both the uterus for fertilization and the mammary glands for lactation.
In addition, it increases the activity of the cells that line the uterine wall , which accentuates the thickening of the endometrium and causes it to be intensely irrigated by the blood vessels, leaving the uterus ready for pregnancy.
Progesterone is a very important hormone, since it acts on the entire physical and emotional state of the woman , and is especially essential in the preparation and maintenance of pregnancy. When the amount of progesterone in the blood is low in early pregnancy, taking a hormone supplement is recommended to minimize the risk of miscarriage.
Progesterone also has the function of inhibiting the contractions of the uterus preventing the expulsion of the developing embryo or fetus.
Less progesterone, more estrogen
During menopause , women stop ovulating and the brutal drop in progesterone levels causes estrogen production to become too active, allowing more water and sodium to enter the cells. This is why fluid retention, weight gain, and all the other undesirable symptoms occur.
When this imbalance occurs, progesterone has to go back to work in the female body, to counteract the effects of estrogen.
By restoring this hormone to the proper levels, the woman begins to feel good again , due to the elimination of the symptoms of menopause.
Effects of low progesterone level
Do you usually take a blood test to measure your progesterone level?
Hormonal imbalance, too much estrogen and too little circulating progesterone in the body, can cause some symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Endometriosis
- Heavy menstrual bleeding, with the possibility of clots
- The woman cannot get pregnant, or if she becomes pregnant loses the baby during early pregnancy
- Insomnia , irritability, headaches, and hair loss .
Bioidentical Progesterone
Bioidentical hormone creams are used to balance the body’s natural hormones . Bioidentical hormones are hormones managed according to tests ordered by your doctor, and they are identical to the natural hormone.
The menstrual cycle
During the regular menstrual cycle, a gland in the brain ( pituitary ) releases a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which will stimulate the development of one of the many follicles (precursors to female eggs) inside the ovary.
Each month, one of them develops faster and is the egg that will be released during that menstrual cycle.
The aforementioned estrogen follicles , which release hormones into the bloodstream, are responsible , among other things, for female characteristics .
Upon reaching certain levels in the blood, these estrogens cause that area of the brain, the pituitary, to begin to produce large amounts of another hormone called LH (luteinizing hormone) which in turn, upon reaching the ovaries, will cause the release of more developed estrogen follicle, thus giving way to ovulation. This follicle, now called the egg, goes to the fallopian tube so it can be fertilized.
The follicles that were in the ovary under the influence of the same LH , form a small yellow area (corpus luteum or corpus luteum) that initiates the production of another hormone: progesterone . The main function of this hormone is to prepare the uterus to receive the fertilized ovum (thicken it and increase blood circulation) and start the pregnancy (its name comes from pro-gestation).
When the eggs are not fertilized, or the embryo is not viable, the yellow body disappears and the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop suddenly, causing the decomposition of the inner lining of the uterus and its exit to the outside: period or rule. The low level of estrogen and progesterone, then, cause the production of FSH, thus starting a new cycle.
If there has been a fertilization and subsequent implantation of the ovum in the uterine wall, the corpus luteum remains in function, maintaining especially the production of estrogens and progesterone. Logically, then there will be no menstruation and there will be an ongoing pregnancy.
Importance of progesterone
Although pregnenolones are endowed with little biological activity, it is not usual to speak of progestins, but rather of progesterone as the absolute title hormone of luteal function . In the process of steroidogenesis, progesterone is the first hormone with the highest steroid significance, resulting in your characteristically yellow body and placenta. The daily production of progesterone is 4 mg in the follicular phase, 30 mg in the luteal phase.. It is a significant difference that allows progesterone levels to rise in the second half of the cycle, as presumptive evidence of ovulation. Numerous functions are attributed to progesterone, all directly related to the preparation of progesterone in the endometrium and the occurrence of pregnancy, ovulation, implantation and, above all, blocking the contraction of the uterine muscle.
Progesterone is a 21 carbon steroid pregnenedione, with double bonds (4: 5) and two ketone functions at C3 and C20. It occupies a privileged position in steroidogenesis, it and its predecessor, pregnenolone, are subject to alpha-hydroxylation of lines 4 delta and 5 delta, respectively, which are involved in the formation of sex steroids, androgens and estrogens, in that order.
Benefits of natural progesterone
- Normalizes zinc and copper levels
- Protects against breast cancer
- Stimulates the production of new bone
- It enhances sleep quality
- Improves symptoms of PMS and menopause
- Fight irritability
- Normalizes menstrual cycles
- Prevent migraines
- Improves skin and hair
The use of natural progesterone has been observed to improve skin, hair, libido, and aid in the recovery of mental focus. Another relevant factor is that hormone replacement can help get rid of excess weight, simply combining its use with a healthy diet. It also helps fight irritability, abdominal pain and cramps, migraines, and even depression . Women with postpartum depression find relief in natural progesterone for various symptoms caused by the hormonal changes so common in these cases. Men can also make use of natural progesterone to fight and prevent some types of cancer, and it is also effective in treating baldness and acne .
Contraindication of hormone replacement with natural progesterone
Although natural progesterone offers numerous advantages for hormone replacement therapy, there are some cases where its use should be restricted or avoided: uterine bleeding, breast tumors, suspected pregnancy, breastfeeding, diabetes, and liver disease.
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of making a replacement with natural progesterone, which can bring you an improvement in your quality of life .
Where to buy natural progesterone
Today in amazon you can find everything and with brands that don’t spend so much on marketing with celebrities but have better products , we leave you our selection and a special one below:
- Plant hormones (Phytohormones) progesterone and estrogen isoflavone Soy Yam Hop cone 120 capsules Sage serene menopause
- Natural PR gel, 4 oz
- Native Remedies Dong Quai 60 Capsules – Natural Supplement to Support Healthy Hormonal Balance, Healthy Reproductive Function & Maintain Healthy Estrogen and Progesterone Levels
In my case I use these capsules because it is based on scientific studies that help increase progesterone.
Also something that many people have to take into account, the product has these characteristics:
- Ecological agriculture
- Concentrated extract
- HPMC capsules are 100% guaranteed of plant origin.
- They do not contain Bisphenol A.
- Obtained by natural fermentation as an alternative to synthetic products.
- 100% natural Vegan
- Not irradiated: Not subjected to ionizing radiation.
Associated scientific studies
- Combats the ins and outs of the irregular menstrual cycle (Morin, Y., Wainsten, JP, & Lemaire, V. (2001). Larousse Medical. Larousse.) (Van Die et al. (2013) Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders : a systematic review of clinical trials. Planta Med 79: 562-575.), (Jang et al. (2014) Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome / premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med 14:11)
- It produces an indirect effect on progesterone by increasing it naturally. (Roemheld-Hamm (2005) Chasteberry. Am Fam Physician 72 (5): 821-4.)
- The European drug agency has approved its traditional use for the treatment of PMS. (EMA / HMPC / 144006/2009. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Community herbal monograph on Vitex agnus-castus L., fructus.)
