Ailments and Situations - Menopause (and Related Issues) - Hormones - Progesterone

Progesterone is often given in significant dosages to regulate estrogen receptors in breast tissue and the uterine lining that respond to the growth-hormone effect of ERT. In many cases, natural progesterone is all that is needed to manage menopausal symptoms, as it acts as a precursor to estrogens and androgens.

Natural progesterone differs from its pharmaceutical counterparts, which cause bloating, depression, headaches, and weight gain, and may increase the risk of fatal coronary artery spasm. Natural progesterone does not affect blood lipids and has no serious side effects.

Typical dosage is 100mg oral micronized natural progesterone daily. NOTE: This dosage is significantly different from pharmaceutical progesterone preparations, which average a typical dosage of 5mg. If using 2% progesterone cream, apply one-quarter to one-half teaspoon (25 to 50mg) 2% progesterone cream to the skin once or twice daily. The preparation should contain 400mg progesterone per ounce. The cream is considered extremely safe, with very little risk of overdose. Preparations sold as wild yam creams often contain little or no progesterone and are not as effective as standardized 2% progesterone creams.

Progesterone cream has received a fair level of criticism, as it does not result in high serum levels of progesterone. When the progesterone is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, 80% will bind to red blood cell plasma membranes. This component is typically discarded during blood tests, resulting in an accurately low reading. Salivary levels thus often measure higher than serum levels.