What is a Hormone ?

     Hormones are substances secreted directly into the bloodstream and are produced by several glands and organs in your body such as the ovaries, testes, thyroid, pancreas, pituitary, liver and others.  These hormones travel through the bloodstream from where they are produced to where they interact with receptors to do the work for which they were intended.  They intitiate reactions in the body, whereas enzymes usually help to facilitate them.  Hormones regulate fluid retention, mineral metabolism, sexual function and libido, reproductive functions, growth and development, aging and numerous other functions. 

What is Progesterone ?

     Progesterone is an important hormone manufactured by the adrenal glands in men and women in the ovaries in women.  Extra amounts are manufactured by the placenta during pregnancy.  From progesterone are derived not only the other sex hormones, including the estrogens, but also the corticosteroids, which are essential for stress response, sugar and electrolyte balance, and blood pressure, not to mention survival. With progesterone as a precursor to so many other hormones, it's easy to see why a progesterone deficiency can cause such a wide range of problems. 

What is Estrogen ?

     Estrogen is not the name of one hormone, but the name of a group of similar hormones.  There are the estrogens named estrone, estrodiol and estriol.  Each has it's own job yet we generally refer to them as one.  Estrogen is responsible for the changes that take place at puberty in girls, such as growth and development of the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes.  It causes enlargement of the breasts through growth of ducts, stromal tissue, and fat.  Estrogen contributes to molding (fatty content) of female body contours and maturation of the skeleton.  It is responsible for the growth of underarm and pubic hair and pigmentation  of the nipples and areolae.  Estrogen also stores body fat.  When women consume considerably more calories than needed, estrogen production increases proportionately to supernormal levels and may set the stage for estrogen dominance syndrome and exaggerated estrogen decline at menopause. 

What is HRT ?

     HRT is an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy.  Several years ago it became popular for doctors to prescribe the hormone estrogen (synthetic) for women with menopausal symptoms.  They thought they were replacing the hormones lost with the onset of menopause.  Contemporary physicians now know that estrogen is not the hormone needing to be replaced.  They are becoming increasingly aware that it is progesterone that is desperately in need of replacing. When synthetic estrogen is given, it actually aggravates the symptoms all the more.  Later, these synthetic estrogen products were formulated to include synthetic progestins to offset some of the bad effects of estrogen dominance.  Progestins are synthetic compounds that are intended to mimic the actions of natural progesterone.  Instead they cause numerous side effects and should be avoided. 

How can I check my Hormone levels ?

     In the past, blood serum levels were used.  However, the newer saliva hormone tests are probably better. These are highly recommended by Dr. Lee.  Most generally though a woman can usually tell by how she is feeling. 

What is the difference between synthetic and natural Progesterone?

     Synthetic progesterone (normally referred to as progestin) are drugs which are manufactured by drug companies and are normally available by prescription only.  The molecule of the synthetic progesterone is close enough to the natural progesterone that is seeks out and resides in the progesterone receptacles in the body.  This version of progesterone (Provera is the most common of them)  are not natural to the body and as a result, cause undesirable side effects. 
Natural progesterone is the identical molecule to that which the human body makes.  The raw material for natural progesterone is usually wild yam but a word of caution is necessary here and that is that wild yam extract is not the same as progesterone.   Progesterone is obtained by extracting diosgenin from wild yams and then converting this component into natural progesterone in the laboratory.  Natural progesterone is referred to as  natural because it is the identical molecule to that which the human body manufactures.   Synthetic progestins are also made from diosgenin extracted from wild yam but the key difference is that the molecular structure of progestins are different and are not natural to the human body. 

What is Progesterone USP ?

  USP stands for United States Pharmacopoeia which is the international standard of purity for substances used in the manufacture of drugs and cosmetics.  In the case of progesterone , USP simply confirms that the progesterone is the identical molecule as is produced by the human body.  The title progesterone USP, identifies the progesterone as natural and differentiates it from the synthetic versions which are often referred to as progestins or progestogens. 

Why is a Premium Quality Progesterone Cream superior to Capsules or Suppositories ?

   Nature did not intend for women to put hormones into their stomachs.  Consequently, about 80% of orally administered progesterone is intercepted by the liver and passed out of the body, unused.  Progesterone in suppository form is also intercepted by the liver and bound up by the wax vehicle.  In either case, because there is no sound basis for putting an wextra burden on the liver, informed women have chosen to use a transdermal cream which is almost 100% biologically available, as shown by salivary hormone tests. 
 

What is Transdermal absorption and why is it so good ?

   Natural progesterone being small, fat soluble molecules are well absorbed through the skin better than given orally.  It goes across the skin to subcutaneous fat layers, then to blood circulation.  That is trans(through) dermal (the skin).  This way the progesterone first goes into body fats and then into the blood avoiding first pass loss through the liver. 
  A word of caution:  Even when a cream contains progesterone, it  will not be effective if it isn't suspended in the proper medium.  Products containing mineral oil will prevent the progesterone being absorbed into the skin.  Other products haven't properly stabilized the progesterone, so it deteriorates over time with exposure to oxygen, and by the time you get to the bottom of the jar, you aren't getting any progesterone.  Since ProgestaCare is sold in a pump it reduces the exposure to oxygen and thus ensuring that it retains more potency over time. 
   The progesterone level in the cream must be between 400-600 mg. per ounce according to an independent laboratory assay. 

Why is ProgestaCare the Preferred Natural Progesterone Cream ?

     ProgestaCare is the finest quality Liposome-based, hypo-allergenic cream that contains pharmaceutical grade natural progesterone.  ProgestaCare is light, non-oily, and is readily absorbed into the skin for transportation of the progesterone to the fat cells.  It is stored in the fat cells for use as needed by the body. 
ProgestaCare contains some additional herbs to enhance the effectiveness of the progesterone and the overall menopausal benefits of the cream.  These herbs work synergistically, which means one compliments the other. These additional herbs include Aloe vera gel, (which helps the cream not to leave a residue like other creams do), licorice extract, Siberian ginseng, burdock root, black cohosh, primrose oil and grape seed extract. 
   ProgestaCare is packaged in a very unique capsule with a pump style delivery system that delivers exactly 20 mg. of natural progesterone with each full stroke of the pump.  20 mg. (up to 40 mg.) it the dosage that is recommended by Dr. Lee. 
   ProgestaCare's pump system ensures that the cream is not exposed to oxygen and will not lose it's potency. ProgestaCare is guaranteed to have a shelf life of at least two years.  It's actual shelf life can be expected to be considerably longer because the cream is encapsulated in a hygienically sealed airtight container for the life of the cream.  With each use of the pump, a piston moves up underneath the cream to ensure that the remaining cream remains airtight and every last drop is ProgestaCare is extracted when the container is finished.

How much ProgestaCare should I use ?

   ProgestaCare usage depends on your current hormonal and menstrual status.  The following are general recommendations that may need to be modified for your specific situation:

Women in their reproductive years: (still ovulating)
    Women still menstruating should use progesterone approximately two weeks per month. Since normal progesterone production can reach 20 mg. per day between days 15 to 26 of the cycle (day one being the onset of bleeding), Dr. Lee usually recommends the cream be used between day 12 and day 26 to approximate normal levels.  Some women whose cycles are naturally longer will use it from day 10 to day 28.   Apply one pump amount per day depending on your symptoms. Women with more severe PMS or endometriosis have chosen to use twice the suggested amount of cream for the first one or two months.  In addition, women who experience uterine cramping have chosen to apply the cream just above the pubic area at the onset of cramps.  Women who experience hormone related headaches have applied the cream toe the sides of the neck, just behind the earlobe, at the onset of headaches. 

Menopause or Post Hysterectomy
   Use ProgestaCare based on a calendar month.  On day 1-25 use one to two pumps of ProgestaCare per day. On days 25-30 (or 31), it is suggested by Dr. Lee that the body be given a rest and progesterone not be applied during this period. 
If a woman has not been making progesterone for a number of years (often starting 5 to 10 years before actual menopause), her body-fat progesterone is probably very low.  Since progesterone is fat-soluble, it is likely that during the first month or so much of the progesterone that is absorbed will be taken up by body fat, resulting in lower blood levels initially.   For these women Dr. Lee recommends using at least two pumps per day for the first two months.  After that, on pump per day should be a sufficient monthly dose. Women who have severe menopausal symptoms have chosen to apply the cream this way, at morning and at bedtime for the first one or two months.  In addition women who are experiencing hot flashes have chosen to apply a small dab of cream to the inside of the wrist at the onset of a hot flash.

Menopausal women taking an estrogen supplement
   These women should gradually reduce their estrogen dosage when starting the progesterone.  An abrupt reduction in estrogen can trigger resumption of hot flashes or vaginal dryness.  These symptoms can be prevented by gradual lowering of the dose.  Dr. Lee covers this in his book.

Osteoporosis
   Use ProgestaCare the same as for menopause  at morning and at bedtime.  It can also be rubbed completely down the spine. 
 
 

Please note:  Any of the statements on this web site are intended for general information and educational use only and not for medical purposes of any kind.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, illness or medical condition.  As with any product, consult a health care professional before using especially if you are pregnant or if you have a serious medical condition. 

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